ness. If we admit that the angel has a
more perfect vision of God, on account of his more perfect natural
intellect, then we must also admit that he enjoys a portion of
supernatural beatitude, exclusively, in virtue of his natural powers,
and not on account of his merits acquired by correspondence to divine
grace.* Evidently no such admission can be made; for heaven is a
supernatural reward of supernatural virtues, which have been
practised, in this world, under the influence of divine grace, and
not a reward of natural endowments. If, then, no such doctrine can be
admitted when the question is between angels and men, much less can
it be admitted when there is question of superior natural intellect
among men. Hence, the man who never learned his letters, either for
want of natural talent or opportunity, shall undoubtedly see God, as
well as the philosopher, if he has led as good a life; and he shall
see Him better, and enjoy more of heaven's happiness, if he has lived
a holier life.

* . . . Ipsa enim visio est praemium nostrum: ergo ubi paria sunt
merita, debet esse par visio: sed in homino et angelo possunt esse
paria merita: ergo debet esse par visio. Ergo quantitas visionis
debet sumi a lumine gloriae quod datur secundum mensuram meritorum,
non autem a perfectione intellectus, quae non datur ex meritis. Et
confirmatur, quia ponamus angelum et hominem habere aequalia merita.
Vel ergo accipient aequale lumen gloriae vel inaequale. Si inaequale, non
respondebit meritis. Si aequale, ergo cum aequali lumine aequaliter Deum
videbunt: alioqui si angelus perfectius videret, tunc aliquam partem
beatitudinis haberet sine meritis, ex solis naturae viribus. Becan. de
Attrib. Divin., quaest. x.

Once more: The light of glory is a supernatural elevation of the
mind, which enables man to see God as He is in himself. It is given
by God himself to those who have lived a supernatural life of faith,
hope, and charity. Moreover, it is given to each in proportion to his
personal merits. It therefore becomes the measure of the degree of
happiness which each one of the blessed enjoys in the vision of God.

CHAPTER XIV.

DEGREES OF HAPPINESS IN HEAVEN.

Having seen that the Light of glory is the new power, or medium,
through which the blessed see and enjoy God, we must now endeavor to
understand how its different degrees of intensity become the source
of vastly different degrees of happiness or enjoyment.

In order to underst