(4) For God (by [xvi] ) is not affected by any emotion of pleasure or
pain, consequently (III:[De.vi] & III:[De.vii] ) he does not love or
hate anyone.
Prop. [XVIII] No one can hate God.
Proof.- (18:1) The idea of God which is in us is adequate and perfect
(II:[xlvi] , II:[xlvii] ); wherefore, in so far as we contemplate God,
we are active (III:[iii] ) ; consequently (III:[lix] ) there can be no
pain accompanied by the idea of God, in other words (III:[De.vii] ),
no one can hate God. Q.E.D.
Corollary.- (18:2) Love towards God cannot be turned into hate.
Note.- (18:3) It may be objected that, as we understand God as the cause
of all things, we by that very fact regard God as the cause of pain.
(4) But I make answer, that, in so far as we understand the causes of
pain, it to that extent ([iii] ) ceases to be a passion, that is, it
ceases to be pain (III:[lix] ); therefore, in so far as we understand
God to be the cause of pain, we to that extent feel pleasure.
Prop. [XIX] He, who loves God, cannot endeavour
that God should love him in return.
Proof.- (19:1) For, if a man should so endeavour, he would desire ([xvii]
Coroll.) that God, whom he loves, should not be God, and consequently he
would desire to feel pain (III:[xix] ); which is absurd (III:[xxviii] )
(2) Therefore, he who loves God, &c. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XX] This love towards God cannot be stained
by the emotion of envy or jealousy:
contrariwise, it is the more fostered,
in proportion as we conceive a greater
number of men to be joined to God by the
same bond of love.
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