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Show N ffiiM!0hS;bt I CHAPTER III. - Of the Doctrine of Truth: Happy is'-lie. whom truth by itself duih teach. Psalm xciv 12), not by figures and words that" pass away, but as it Is in Itself. Our own opinion and nur own sense & do often deceive us, and they discciii . but little, .-. , Vhat avaiielh it to cavil and dispute much about dark and hidden things, Eccles III (s-ii) for ignorance of which we. shall not be reproved at the day of judgment? - U is. great ; folly to neplect the things that are profitable and necessary, neces-sary, and to choose to dwell upon that which is curious and hurtful. V.re have t-yes and see not. Psalm cxv (.r). And what have we to do with genera gen-era and species? He to whom the Eternal Word sreaketh, is delivered from many an opinion. From one word are all things, and all things utter one word; and this is the beginning, begin-ning, which also gpeaketh unto us. ! No m.'ui without that word under- standeth or judseth rigrhtly. He to whom all things are one, he , who reduceth all thin.es to one. and eeeth all things in one; may enjoy a quiet mind, and remain at peace in God. O. God; who art the truth, mike me one with Thee in everlasting: love. It wearieth me often to read and hear many things: Jn Thee is all that I would have and can desire. Let all doctors hold their peace: let all creature? be silent in Thy sight; speak Thou alone. unto me. The more a man is at one within himself, and . becometh a single heart, so much the more and higher things j!oth he understand without labor; for that he reveiveth the light of wisdom wis-dom from above. Matt, xi (23), Luke, x. (21). A pure, single, and stable spirit is not distracted, though it be employed in many works, for that it to the honor of God. and being at rest within, sotketh not itself in anything it doth. . - . Who hinder and trouble thee mow than the unmodified affections of . thine-' own heart? A good and devout man arrangeth . within himself beforehand those things j which he ought to do. Neither do they draw him to the desire of an inordinate inclination, hut he ordcreth them according to the di- i reotion of right reason. - .' j Who hath a greater combat than he that laboreth to ovonomc himself? This ought to be our endeavor, to conquer con-quer ourselves, and daily to " wax stronger, and to grow in holiness. . All perfection in this life hath some imperfection mixed with it: and no knowledge of ours is without some darkness. A 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 what-sover, what-sover, for that is good in itself, and ordained by God: but a good cons- cience and a virtuous life are always ! to be preferred before it. ' .-j .-j Hut because many endeavor rather 1 to get". knowledge than to" live well; 1 therefore -they., are often deceived, and reap either none or but little fruit. O. if men bestowed as much labor in the r rooting" out of ;vices, and the planting of virtues, as they do in moving of questions, neither would so many evils be. done, nor so great scandal be given in the world. Truly, at the' day of judgment we shall not be examined as to what we have read, but as to what we have done; Matt, 'xxvj hot as to how well we have spoken,, bin as . to how religiously relig-iously vre have lived. ' Tell me, where are all those doctors and masters, Avith whom thou most well acquainted, whilst they lived and flourished In learning? Others, occupy their places and perhaps do scarce ever think at those who went before them. In their lifetime they seemed something, but . now they are not spoken of. O, how quickly doth the glory of the world pass away! Eccles ii. (11). Would that their life had been answerable to their learning! then had their study and- reading been to- good purpose. How many perish by 'reason Vf vain learning Tit. I (10) ofthls world' who take little care of the serving of God. And because they rather choose to be gr-at tnan humble, therefore they become be-come vain in ' their, imaginations. Rom. I (21). He is truly great who hath great love. He is truly great that is little in himselfj and that mak?th no account of any height of honor. Matt, xviii (4), xxiii (11). He is truly wise, that accounteth all earthly things as dung, that' he may win Christ. Phil, iii (8). CHAPTER IV. Of AVisdom and Forethought. in our Actions: We must not trust every saying" or suggestion; John iv (1), "but wearily and patiently, ponder, things according accord-ing to the will of God. Yet alas; such is our weakness, that we often rather believe and speak evil I of others than good. But perfect men do not easily credit every' one who speaks to them; for they know that human frailty is i prone to evil. Gen. viii (21), and very subjeet to error in words. Ja.mes iii (2). It is great wisdom not to be rash ! in thy doings, Prow xix (2). nor to j stand stiffly in thine own" conceits: as I also not to believe everything which thou hearest. nor to immediately relate again to others, Prow xvii (9), what thou hast heard or dost believe. Con-suit Con-suit with him. that is wise and of sound judgment, and stek to be instructed by ore better than thyself, rather than to follow thine own inventions. Prow xii (15). A good life maketh a man wise according to God, -Prow xv (33). and giveth him experience in many (things, Eccle.i. I (16) The more hutnble a man is in himself, and tne more: subject Unto God. the more wise and peaceful shall he be in all things. 1 - (To be continued.) "' |