i] ), the idea of his own cause: now this
is what we have (in [xxxii] Coroll.) described as intellectual love.
Prop. [XXXVI] The intellectual love of the mind towards God
is that very love of God whereby God loves
himself, not in so far as he is infinite, but
in so far as he can be explained through the
essence of the human mind regarded under the
form of eternity; in other words, the
intellectual love of the mind towards God is
part of the infinite love wherewith God loves
himself.
Proof.- (36:1) This love of the mind must be referred to the activities
of the mind ([xxxii] Coroll. and III:[iii] ); it is itself, indeed, an
activity whereby the mind regards itself accompanied by the idea of God
as cause ([xxxii] & Coroll.); that is (I:[xv] Coroll. and II:[xi] Coroll.),
an activity whereby God, in so far as he can be explained through the
human mind, regards himself accompanied by the idea of himself; therefore
(by [xxxv] ), this love of the mind is part of the infinite love wherewith
God loves himself. Q.E.D.
Corollary.- (36:2) Hence it follows that God, in so far as he loves
himself, loves man, and, consequently, that the love of God towards
men, and the intellectual love of the mind towards God are identical.
Note.- (36:3) From what has been said we clearly understand, wherein
our salvation, or blessedness, or freedom, consists: namely, in the
constant and eternal love towards God, or in God's love towards men.
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