by the contemplation of the
Passion of Christ and of the other mysteries of His Sacred Humanity than
by meditation upon the Divine excellences.

It is true that things which concern the Godhead are of
themselves more calculated to excite in us love, and
consequently devotion, since God is to be loved above all
things; yet it is due to the weakness of the human mind that
just as it needs to be led by the hand to the knowledge of
Divine things, so also must it be lead to Divine love by means
of the things of sense already known to it; and the chief of
these things is the Humanity of Christ, as is said in the
_Preface_ of the Mass: _So that knowing God visibly in the
flesh, we may thereby be carried away to the love of things
invisible._ Consequently the things that have to do with
Christ's Humanity lead us, as it were, by the hand and are thus
especially suited to stir up devotion in us; though, none the
less, devotion is principally concerned with the Divinity.

3. Lastly, if contemplation were the real cause of devotion, it ought to
follow that those who are the more fitted for contemplation are also the
more fitted for devotion; whereas the contrary is the case, for greater
devotion is often found among simple folk and in the female sex, where
contemplation is wanting.

But knowledge, as indeed anything which renders a person great,
occasions a man to trust in Himself, and hence he does not
wholly give himself to God. It is for this reason that knowledge
and suchlike things are sometimes a hindrance to a man's
devotion, whereas among women and simple folk devotion abounds
by the suppression of all elation. But if a man will only
perfectly subject to God his knowledge and any other perfection
he may have, then his devotion will increase.

* * * * *

_Cajetan:_ Note these two intrinsic causes of devotion: one, namely,
which arises from meditation upon God and His benefits, the other from
meditation on our own defects. Under the first head I must consider
God's goodness, mercy, and kindness towards mankind and towards myself;
the benefits, for instance, of creation according to His own Likeness,
of Redemption, of Baptism, of His inspirations, of His invitations--
whether directly or through the medium of others; His patient waiting
till I do penance; His Holy Eucharist; His preserving me from so man