Meaning: This quote by William Ames, a 17th-century English philosopher and theologian, delves into the essential virtues of religion and their impact on the spiritual connection between humans and God. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, hope, and love as the foundation of religious virtues, and how they manifest in the acts of hearing the word and prayer.

Faith, hope, and love are often referred to as the theological virtues in Christian theology. These virtues are considered foundational to the Christian life and are closely linked to the believer's relationship with God. Faith is the belief in the unseen and the trust in God's promises, while hope is the confident expectation of eternal salvation and the fulfillment of God's promises. Love, often described as the greatest virtue, encompasses both the love for God and the love for others as oneself.

Ames highlights these virtues as the basis of religion, suggesting that they are the driving force behind the spiritual communion between humans and God. The concept of spiritual communion implies a deep, personal connection with the divine, characterized by communication and intimacy.

The quote also introduces the idea of a "double act" that arises from faith, hope, and love in relation to our communion with God. This double act is defined as the hearing of the word and prayer. The "hearing of the word" refers to the act of actively listening to the teachings and messages found in religious scriptures, sermons, and spiritual guidance. It involves not only the physical act of hearing but also the internalization and understanding of the divine message.

In the context of Christianity, the Bible is considered the word of God, and actively listening to its teachings is an essential aspect of spiritual growth and understanding. This act of hearing the word is seen as a means of receiving guidance, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment from God.

The second part of the double act, prayer, is a foundational practice in most religious traditions. Prayer is the act of communicating with the divine, expressing one's faith, hopes, and love, and seeking guidance, forgiveness, and blessings. It is a deeply personal and intimate form of communion with God, where believers can express their innermost thoughts and emotions, seek solace and strength, and offer praise and thanksgiving.

Ames' reference to the double act of hearing the word and prayer emphasizes the active and reciprocal nature of the spiritual communion between humans and God. It suggests that through the practice of actively listening to the word and engaging in prayer, individuals participate in a dynamic exchange with the divine, where communication, understanding, and intimacy are fostered.

The quote reflects the idea that faith, hope, and love are not passive virtues but rather catalysts for active engagement with the divine. It underscores the importance of these virtues in shaping the spiritual communion between humans and God and highlights the practices of hearing the word and prayer as fundamental expressions of this communion.

In conclusion, William Ames' quote encapsulates the interconnectedness of faith, hope, and love as the virtues of religion and their profound impact on the spiritual communion between humans and God. It emphasizes the active nature of this communion through the double act of hearing the word and prayer, highlighting the significance of actively engaging with the divine through listening and communication. This perspective offers valuable insights into the essential aspects of religious virtues and their role in fostering a deep and meaningful relationship with the divine.