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17. The Oneness of the Being of Christ

1. The dual number is used in speaking of the two naturesin Christ, the divine and the human. If both natures werepredicated in the abstract of Christ, he would be twobeings and not one. The two natures are, therefore, predicated ofChrist, not abstractly, but concretely, as they are concreted inone Person. And thus Christ is one.

2. Since oneness and being are reallythe same, the being of Christ is one. Human nature is not merelyadjoined to the divine Nature of the Son of God, but is united toit hypostatically. Nothing new comes to the divine Person by thisunion, no newness or otherness of being; what occurs is arelation according to which the eternal Person of the Son nowsubsists in two natures. And thus the being of Christ isone being.

"To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself. "
Thomas á Kempis

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"If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel."
Thomas á Kempis

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"The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you."
Thomas á Kempis

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