St Dionysius the Areopagite, Epistles , Page 6

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EPISTLE VIII. To Demophilus, Therapeutes. About minding ones own business, and kindness.

SECTION I.

The histories of the Hebrews say, O noble Demophilus, that, even that holy, distinguished Moses was deemed worthy of the Divine manifestation on account of his great meekness [23]. And, if at any time they describe him as being excluded from the vision [24] of God, they do not cast him out from God for his meekness. But they say that when speaking very rashly, and opposing the Divine Counsels, Jehovah was angry with him with wrath. But when they make him proclaimed by his God-discerned deserts, he is proclaimed, from his pre-eminent imitation of the Good. For he was very meek, and on this account is called "Servant of God," and deemed more fit for vision of God than all Prophets. Now, when certain envious [25] people were contending with him and Aaron, about the High Priesthood and government of the tribes, he was superior to all love of honour, and love of rule, and referred the presidency over the people to the Divine judgment. And, when they even rose up against him, and reproaching him concerning the precedency, were threatening him, and were already almost upon him, the meek man invoked the Good for preservation, but very suitably asserted that he would be guiltless of all evils to the governed. For he knew that it is necessary, that the familiar with God the Good should be moulded, as far as is attainable, to that which is specially most like the Good, and should be conscious within himself of the performance of deeds of good friendship. And what made David [26], the father of God, a friend of God? Even for being good and generous towards enemies [27]. The Super-Good, and the Friend of Good says----" I have found a man after mine own heart." Further also, a generous injunction was given, to care for even one's enemy's beasts of burden [28]. And Job [29] was pronounced just, as being free from injury. And Joseph [30] did not take revenge upon the brethren who had plotted against him; and Abel, at once, and without suspicion, accompanied the fratricide. And the Word of God proclaims all the good as not devising evil things [31], not doing them [32], but neither being changed from the good, by the baseness of others [33], but, on the contrary, after the example of God [34], as doing good to, and throwing their shield over the evil; and generously calling them to their own abundant goodness, and to their own similitude.