96. These are the degrees of the neighbour; and with all who are in the love of the neighbour love ascends according to these degrees. But these are the degrees in successive order, in which the prior or higher is to be preferred to the posterior or lower. And since the Lord is in the highest degree, and as in each degree respect is to be had to Him as to the end which is to be regarded, therefore He is to be loved above all persons and above all things. From this it may appear in what way love to the Lord conjoins itself with love towards the neighbour.