salvation. In whatever mode and under whatever name he represents
God, as Lord of every creature, it is well. If he takes some divine
Person, and in Him sees the essence and power of the divine nature,
it is well. If he regards God as saviour, redeemer, creator,
governor, as blessedness, power, wisdom, truth, goodness, it is
well. Though the names which we ascribe to God are numerous, the
sublime nature of God is simple and unnameable by the creatures. But
we give Him all these names by reason of His nobleness and
incomprehensible sublimity, and because we cannot name or proclaim
Him completely. See now under what mode and by what knowledge God
will be present to our intention. For to have God for our aim is to
see spiritually. To this quest belong also affection and love, for
to know God and be without love aids and advances us not a whit, and
has no savour. This is why a man, in all his actions, must bend
lovingly towards God, whom he seeks and loves above everything.
This, then, is the meeting with God by means of intention and love.

In order that the sinner may turn from his sins in a meritorious
penitence, he must meet God by contrition, free conversion, and a
sincere intention to serve God for ever, and to sin no more. Then,
at this meeting, he receives from the mercy of God the assured hope
of eternal salvation and the pardon of his sins, and he receives the
foundation of all the virtues, faith, hope, and charity, and the
good will to practise all the virtues. If this man advances in the
light of faith, and observes all the works of Christ, all His
sufferings and all His promises, and all that He has done for us and
will do to the day of judgment and through eternity; if he examines
all this for his soul's health, he must needs meet with Christ; and
Christ must needs be present to his soul, so grateful and full of
thankfulness. So his faith is fortified, and he is impelled more