86. [verse 6] 'But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate' signifies that they know this as a result of their truths, and consequently do not wish works to be for the sake of recompense, because this is contrary to the Lord's merit and justice. That 'the works of the Nicolaitans' are works for the sake of recompense it has been given [me] to know as a result of revelation. It is because the Church knows this as a result of the truths of its doctrine, and consequently does not wish [such works], that it is said that they hate those works; and it is therefore said, 'this thou hast'. Nevertheless all those do works for the sake of recompense who put truths. of faith in the first place and goods of charity in the second; but not those who put goods of charity in the first place. This is because genuine charity does not want to be recompensed, for it loves to do good, for it is in it and acts as a result of it. Also as a result of good it has the Lord in view, and as a result of truths it has in view that every good is from Him, and therefore it has an aversion to recompense. Now, since those who have truths of faith in view in the first place cannot do works except for the sake of recompense, and yet know as a result of their truths that [such works] are to be hated, therefore this follows after it has been said that if they do not have charity in the first place they do works that ought to be held in aversion. It is said that it is contrary to the Lord's merit and justice, for those who place merit in works claim justice for themselves, for they say that justice is their portion because they have earned it, when yet this is the height of injustice, because the Only Lord has earned it, and He Only does the good pertaining to them. That the Only Lord is Justice is taught in Jeremiah:-