Chapter III: Of the doctrine of truth

HAPPY is he, whom truth itself teacheth, not by figures, and words that pass away; but by an immediate communication of itself.

Our own opinion and our own sense often deceive us, and discern little.

What availeth it to dispute about hidden things, for being ignorant of which we shall not be reproved at the day of judgment?

It is great folly to neglect things profitable, and to think of curious or hurtful things.

2. And what have we to do with dry notions?

He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh, is delivered from a world of vain notions.

From the One Word are all things, and all speak that one: and this is he, who also speaketh unto us.

No man understandeth or judgeth rightly without him.

*He, to whom all things are one, who reduceth all things to one, and seeth all things in one, may be stable in heart, and remain peaceable in God.

*O God, the truth, make me one with thee in everlasting love.

I am weary of reading and hearing many things; in thee is all that I desire.

*Let all creatures be silent in thy sight; speak thou alone unto me.

3. The more simple anyone is, the more doth he understand without labour: because he receiveth the light of knowledge from above.

*A pure, simple, and stable spirit is not dissipated, tho’ it be employed in many works; because it does all to the glory of God, and seeks not itself in any thing it doth.

What hinders and troubles thee but the unmortified affections of thine own heart?

Who hath a sharper combat, than he who laboured to overcome himself?

This ought to be our business, to conquer ourselves, and daily to advance 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 science.

Yet knowledge is not to be blamed, it being good in itself, and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a virtuous life is always to be preferred before it.

5. O If men bestowed as much labour in the rooting out of vices, as they do in moving of questions, there would not be so great wickedness, nor so much hurt done in the world!

*Surely at the day of judgment we shall not be examined what we have read, but what we have done: not how well we have spoken, but how religiously we have lived.

*Tell me, where are now all those doctors and masters with whom thou wast well acquainted whilst they lived and flourished in learning?

Now others possess their preferments, and perhaps scarce ever think of them. In their lifetime they seemed something, but now they are not spoken of.

6. O how quickly doth the glory of the world pass away! O that their life had been answerable to their learning! then had their study been to good purpose.

How many perish in this world, because they rather chuse to be great than humble? Therefore they become vain in their imaginations.

*He is truly great, that is great in love.

He is truly great that is little in his own eyes, and that maketh no account of any height of honour.

*He is truly wise, that accounteth all earthly things as dung, that he may win Christ.

*And he is truly learned, that doth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.

CHAPTER IV.

_Of prudence in our actions._

WE must not give ear to every saying or suggestion, but warily and leisurely ponder things according to the will of God.

But alas! such is our weakness, that we often more easily believe and speak evil of others than good.

Good men do not easily give credit to every thing one tells them; because they know human frailty is prone to evil, and very subject to fail in words.

2. It is great wisdom not to be rash in thy proceedings, nor to stand stifly in thine own opinion.

It is wisdom not to believe every thing which thou hearest, nor presently to relate again to others what thou hast heard, or dost believe.

Consult with a wise and conscientious man, and seek to be instructed by a better than thyself, rather than to follow thine own inventions.

*A good life maketh a man wise according to God, and giveth him experience in many things.

The humbler one is, and more resigned unto God, the more prudent and contented shall he be in all things.

CHAPTER V.

_Of reading the holy scriptures._

TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought for in holy scripture.

*All scripture is to be read by the same spirit wherewith it was written.

We ought to read plain and devout books as willingly as high and profound ones.

Let not the authority of the writer, whether he be of great or small learning, but the love of pure truth, draw thee to read.

*Search not who spake this, but mark what is spoken.

2. Men pass away; but the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.

God speaks unto us sundry ways, without respect of persons.

Our own curiosity often hindereth us in reading the scriptures, when we will examine and discuss that which we should rather pass over without more ado.

If thou desire to profit, read humbly, simply, and faithfully.

Enquire willingly, and hear with silence the words of holy men: dislike not the parables of the elders, for they are not spoken without cause.