8

Therefore he who wishes to ascend to God must, avoiding sin, which

deforms nature, exercise the above-mentioned natural powers for

regenerating grace, and do this through prayer. He must strive toward

purifying justice, and this in intercourse; toward the illumination of

knowledge, and this in meditation; toward the perfection of wisdom, and

this in contemplation. Now just as no one comes to wisdom save through

grace, justice, and knowledge, so none comes to contemplation save through

penetrating meditation, holy conversation, and devout prayer. Just as grace

is the foundation of the will's rectitude and of the enlightenment of clear

and penetrating reason, so, first, we must pray; secondly, we must live

holily; thirdly, we must strive toward the reflection of truth and, by our

striving, mount step by step until we come to the high mountain where we

shall see the God of gods in Sion [Ps., 83, 8]