by virtue of the word
which His Pen hath revealed, and which the finger of His Will hath
directed, be regarded as partner with Him, or an embodiment of His Self?
Far be it from His glory that human pen or tongue should hint at His
mystery, or that human heart conceive His Essence. All else besides Him
stand poor and desolate at His door, all are powerless before the
greatness of His might, all are but slaves in His Kingdom. He is rich
enough to dispense with all creatures.

The tie of servitude established between the worshiper and the adored One,
between the creature and the Creator, should in itself be regarded as a
token of His gracious favor unto men, and not as an indication of any
merit they may possess. To this testifieth every true and discerning
believer.

XCV: KNOW THOU THAT, ACCORDING TO WHAT THY...

Know thou that, according to what thy Lord, the Lord of all men, hath
decreed in His Book, the favors vouchsafed by Him unto mankind have been,
and will ever remain, limitless in their range. First and foremost among
these favors, which the Almighty hath conferred upon man, is the gift of
understanding. His purpose in conferring such a gift is none other except
to enable His creature to know and recognize the one true God--exalted be
His glory. This gift giveth man the power to discern the truth in all
things, leadeth him to that which is right, and helpeth him to discover
the secrets of creation. Next in rank, is the power of vision, the chief
instrument whereby his understanding can function. The senses of hearing,
of the heart, and the like, are similarly to be reckoned among the gifts
with which the human body is endowed. Immeasurably exalted is the Almighty
Who hath created these powers, and revealed them in the body of man.

Every one of these gifts is an undoubted evidence of the majesty, the
power, the ascendancy, the all-embracing knowledge of the one true
God--exalted be His glory. Consider the sense of touch. Witness how its
power hath spread itself over the entire human body. Whereas the faculties
of sight and of hearing are each localized in a particular center, the
sense of touch embraceth the whole human frame. Glorified be His power,
magnified be His sovereignty!

These gifts are inherent in man himself. That which is preeminent above
all other gifts, is incorruptible in nature, and pertaineth to God
Himself, is the gift of Divine Revelation. Every bounty conferred by the
Creator u