inhumanity, restricts the use of God's creation to mere necessity.
designed not only to fulfill our basic needs but also to bring us joy and delight. Likewise, in the realm of clothing, its purpose extends beyond necessity to encompass beauty and honor. Even in the realm of plants, fruits, and trees, their manifold uses are accompanied by the gracefulness of their appearance and the sweetness of their fragrance. Would the psalmist enumerate wine that gladdens the heart of humanity and oil that makes their faces shine among God's mercies if they were not meant to be enjoyed? Would the Scriptures repeatedly extol His benevolence in providing such things for humankind? The very nature of these gifts indicates their lawful enjoyment and reveals the extent to which they can be appreciated. Did the Lord not adorn flowers with captivating beauty that pleases the eye and fill the air with fragrances that delight the senses? Should we then consider it unlawful to relish in the sight of their beauty and the aroma they emit? Moreover, has He not distinguished certain colors as more pleasing than others? Has He not imbued gold, silver, ivory, and marble with unique qualities, rendering them precious above other metals and stones? In short, has He not endowed countless things with value, even when they lack any inherent necessity?
3. Let us cast aside that cold-hearted philosophy which, in its inhumanity, restricts the use of God's creation to mere necessity. This philosophy not only maliciously robs us of the lawful fruits of His abundant goodness, but also seeks to strip humanity of its senses, reducing us to lifeless objects. However, let us also guard ourselves diligently against the temptations of the flesh, for if left unchecked, they will burst through all boundaries. These temptations are advocated by those who, under the guise of liberty, indulge in every kind of excess. Let us first acknowledge that the purpose of all things is to teach us about their Creator and inspire gratitude for His benevolence. Where is the gratitude if we indulge so excessively in feasting and wine that we are rendered unfit for acts of piety or the responsibilities of our vocation? Where is the recognition of God if our flesh, inflamed with lust due to excessive indulgence, contaminates our minds and robs us of the ability to discern honor