Of the Doctrine of Truth HAPPY IS HE whom truth by itself doth teach, (Psalm 94:12) not by figures and words that pass away; but as it is in itself. Our own opinion and our own sense do often deceive us, and they discern but little. What availeth it to make a great dispute about dark and hidden things; (Eccles. 3:9–11) whereas for being ignorant of them we shall not be so much as reproved at the day of judgment? It is a great folly to neglect the things that are profitable and necessary, and give our minds to that which is curious and hurtful: we have eyes and see not. (Psalm 115:5) 2. And what have we to do with genus and species? He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh, is delivered from a world of unnecessary conceptions. From that one Word are all things, and all speak that one; and this is the beginning, which also speaketh unto us. No man without that Word understandeth or judgeth rightly. He to whom all things are one, he who reduceth all things to one, and seeth all things in one; may enjoy a quiet mind, and remain peaceable in God. O God, who art the truth, make me one with thee in everlasting charity. It is tedious to me often to read and hear many things: in thee is all that I would have and can desire. Let all doctors hold their peace; let all creatures be silent in thy sight; speak thou alone unto me. 3. The more a man is united within himself, and becometh inwardly simple, so much the more and higher things doth he understand without labor; for that he receiveth intellectual light from above. (Matt. 11:25; Luke 10:21) A pure, sincere, and stable spirit is not distracted, though it be employed in many works; because it works all to the honor of God, and inwardly being still and quiet, seeks not itself in anything it doeth. Who hinders and troubles thee more than the unmortified affections of thine own heart? A good and godly man arranges within himself beforehand those things which he is outwardly to act; Neither do they draw him according to the desires of an evil inclination, but he ordereth them according to the direction of right reason. Who hath a greater combat than he that laboreth to overcome himself? This ought to be our endeavor, to conquer ourselves, and daily to wax stronger and to make a further growth in holiness. 4. All perfection in this life hath some imperfection mixed with it; and no knowledge of ours is without some darkness. An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning; Yet learning is not to be blamed, nor the mere knowledge of anything whatsoever to be disliked, it being good in itself, and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a virtuous life is always to be preferred before it. But because many endeavor rather to get knowledge than to live well; therefore they are often deceived, and reap either none, or very slender profit. 5. Oh, if men bestowed as much labor in the rooting out of vices, and planting of virtues, as they do in moving of questions, neither would there be so much hurt done, nor so great scandal be given in the world, nor so much looseness be practiced in monasteries. Truly, at the day of judgment we shall not be examined what we have read, but what we have done; (Matt. 25) not how well we have spoken, but how virtuously we have lived. Tell me now, where are all those doctors and masters, with whom thou wert well acquainted, while they lived and flourished in learning? Now others possess their livings and perhaps do scarce ever think of them. In their lifetime they seemed something, but now they are not spoken of. 6. Oh, how quickly doth the glory of the world pass away! (Eccles. 2:11) Oh, that their life had been answerable to their learning! Then had their study and reading been to good purpose. How many perish by reason of vain learning (Titus 1:10) in this world, who take little care of the serving of God: And because they rather choose to be great than humble, therefore they become vain in their imaginations. (Rom. 1:21) He is truly great, that is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and that maketh no account of any height of honor. (Matt. 18:4; 23:11) He is truly wise, that accounteth all earthly things as dung, that he may gain Christ. (Phil. 3:8) And he is truly learned, that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 07:39:23 +0000
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