We think that those views are by no means to be admitted, which some are wont unnecessarily to advance and maintain, viz., that souls descend to such a pitch of abasement that they forget their rational nature and dignity, and sink into the condition of irrational animals, either large or small; and in support of these assertions they generally quote some pretended statements of Scripture, such as, that a beast, to which a woman has unnaturally prostituted herself, shall be deemed equally guilty with the woman, and shall be ordered to be stoned; or that a bull which strikes with its horn, shall be put to death in the same way; or even the speaking of Balaam's ass, when God opened its mouth, and the dumb beast of burden, answering with human voice, reproved the madness of the prophet. (Book I, Chapter 8, Part 4)

In this age we may be more inclined to admire the dignity of irrational animals and doubt the dignity of man.

Like Balaam's ass wild animals seem to recognize and abide by a divine integrity that too often alludes us.

We wonder if retrieving a simpler, more basic, even animal-like innocence would bring us closer to God.

The image is of Balaam's ass and the Angel as told in Numbers 22.