created in the image of God, is not ·of the same natute as God, and therefore is not His true son, but he becomes His son through the grace of Divine Mercy 11 (St. Augustine, 1, 2 Contra Maxim., c.z.). If a poor working-woman, unable to bring up her child, lays him at the door of some rich prince, and this prince sees the baby, tells the servants to 'bring lt in, feed it, look after it, and later give lt a place among the palace servants-all this would b'e an act of great mercy. But if, after some time, the prince decided to adopt rhe boy as his son, give him equal rights with his own children, make him free of his rooms and tell his servants to show him the respect due to a prince-this would be a far greater act of mercy to an abando'ned child. • God has shown even more mercy, for He has not only created· man in His own image and likeness, giving him rational and immortal life, but He has also endowed him with sanctifying grace, through which man becomes His adopted child, the heir of bliss and the Kingdom of Heaven, and co-hdr with the Son of God. Since all creatures on earth have been destined for man, his adoption as a son has meant that they too have been raised up with him, as providing lodging, food and clothing for the adopted children of God. Hence the Apostle says : " For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity : not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groaneth, and trava.ileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the fustfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption-of our body 11 (Rom. 8 : 19-23). II. Since God has raised man to the supernatural state, and made him His adopted child, all the more has He by His Mercy adopted as children His more perfect creatures, the spirits of heaven. ·The Bible sets before us, as the last end of the supernatural state, a share in the ! supernatural treasures which the Angels already possess. " For in the resurrection [the just] shall ... be as the angels of God in heaven" (Matt. 22 : 30), says Our Lord to the Sadduccees : ." For they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection " (Luke :l.'l' I • I 1' I ' j I I
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