335. Even though we call these forms of use, because they have relation through mankind to the Lord, still it cannot be said that they are forms of use originating from mankind for the sake of the Lord. Rather they are forms of use originating from the Lord for the sake of mankind, because all useful ends are infinitely one in the Lord, and do not originate in mankind except from the Lord. For a person cannot do good of himself but only from the Lord. Good is what we are calling a useful end.
The essence of spiritual love is to do good to others, not for one's own sake, but for their sake. Infinitely more is it the essence of Divine love.
The case is the same as with the love of parents for their children, who do good to them out of love, not for their own sake but for the children's sake. This is clearly seen in a mother's love for her little children.
[2] Because the Lord is to be adored, worshiped and glorified, people believe that He loves adoration, worship and glory for His own sake. But in fact He loves these for mankind's sake, since a person comes thereby into a state such that the Divine can flow in and be perceived, because the person thereby sets aside his native character which inhibits the influx and reception. For his native character, which is love of self, hardens the heart and closes it up. He sets this character aside by acknowledging that of himself he does nothing but evil, and from the Lord only good, thus occasioning a softening and humbling of the heart from which springs adoration and worship.
It follows from this that the uses the Lord performs for Himself through mankind exist to the end that He may do good to people out of love, and because this is His love, their reception of it is His love's delight.
Let no one suppose, therefore, that the Lord dwells in those who merely adore Him, but that He dwells in those who do His commandments, 1
thus who do things of use. It is in such people that He has His abode, 2
and not the first.
(See also what we said on this subject in nos. 47-49 above.)
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