Chapter XXI.
Therefore, let us not despise our flesh by living wickedly and lustfully, in which the Lord Christ was born, suffered, and rose again. Let us not scorn the clay of our flesh, which, having been refined in the fire of the divine nature of the Lord Christ, reigns in the purest vessel in heaven. It is indeed worth questioning why the Apostle said: 'For our God is a consuming fire' (Hebrews 12:29). For our God, who is a living, divine, and eternal fire, consumes not these material bodies, but the consciences of sins, and sets our hearts on fire with His love. And therefore the Angels, who are full of charity, are also called fires (Psalms 103:4). But also all the saints, who are kindled by that fire, of which the Lord says: I came to send fire upon the earth, and what would I but that it be kindled? (Luke 12:49)! And again: Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands (Ibidem 35). Of which the Apostle also says: Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11). Therefore, the divine word is ignitable and fervent. This is confirmed by the Lord himself, saying to the prophet Jeremiah: 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth like fire' (Jer. 5:14); which fire the prophet himself declares to be burning within him, saying: 'And it became in my heart as a burning fire' (Ibid. 20:9). Therefore, when it is said: 'Our God is a consuming fire,' it is said in this way, not because God, who is a spirit, is fire, but because he illuminates the righteous, while appearing as a punishment of fire for those who endure it. Now let's return to the order.