|
<<previous |
next>> |
|
|
Selections From the Writings of the Báb
|
Pages 77-78
|
|
"WORSHIP thou God in such wise that if thy worship lead ..."
| |
1 |
WORSHIP thou God in such wise that if thy worship lead
thee to the fire, no alteration in thine adoration would be
produced, and so likewise if thy recompense should be
paradise. Thus and thus alone should be the worship which
befitteth the one True God. Shouldst thou worship Him
because of fear, this would be unseemly in the sanctified
Court of His presence, and could not be regarded as an act
by thee dedicated to the Oneness of His Being. Or if thy
gaze should be on paradise, and thou shouldst worship
Him while cherishing such a hope, thou wouldst make
God's creation a partner with Him, notwithstanding the
fact that paradise is desired by men.
| |
2 |
Fire and paradise both bow down and prostrate themselves
before God. That which is worthy of His Essence is to
worship Him for His sake, without fear of fire, or hope of
paradise.
| |
3 |
Although when true worship is offered, the worshipper is
delivered from the fire, and entereth the paradise of God's
good-pleasure, yet such should not be the motive of his
act. However, God's favour and grace ever flow in accordance
with the exigencies of His inscrutable wisdom.
| |
4 |
The most acceptable prayer is the one offered with the
utmost spirituality and radiance; its prolongation hath not
been and is not beloved by God. The more detached and
the purer the prayer, the more acceptable is it in the presence
of God. VII, 19.
| |
|
|
|