Chap. XVIII
That a man be not a curious searcher into this sacrament, but a follower of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith.
The Voice of the Beloved.
1. Thou must, beware of curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound sacrament, if thou wilt not sink into the depth of doubt.
He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by glory. Proverbs xxv. God is able to work more than man can understand.
A pious and humble inquiry after truth is tolerable, which is always ready to be taught, and studies to walk in the sound doctrine of the Fathers.
2. Blessed is that simplicity that leaveth the difficult ways of disputes, and goeth on in the plain and sure path of God’s commandments.
Many have lost devotion, whilst they would search into high things.
It is faith that is required of thee, and a sincere life; not the height of understanding, not diving deep into the mysteries of God.
If thou dost not understand nor comprehend those things that are under thee, how shouldst thou comprehend those things that are above thee?
Submit thyself to God, and humble thy sense to faith, and the light of knowledge shall be given thee, as far as shall be profitable and necessary for thee.
3. Some are grievously tempted about faith and the sacrament; but this is not to be imputed to them, but rather to the enemy.
Be not thou anxious, stand not to dispute with thy thoughts, nor to answer the doubts which the devil suggests, but believe the words of God, believe his saints and prophets, and the wicked enemy will fly from thee.
It is often very profitable to the servant of God to suffer such things;
For the devil tempteth not unbelievers and sinners, whom he already securely possesseth; but the faithful and devout he many ways tempteth and molesteth.
4. Go forward therefore with a sincere and undoubted faith, and with an humble reverence approach to this sacrament; and whatsoever thou art not able to understand, commit securely to God, who is Omnipotent.
God never deceiveth, but he is deceived that trusts too much to himself:
God walketh with the simple, and revealeth himself to the humble; he giveth understanding to little ones, openeth the gate of knowledge to pure minds, and hideth his grace from the curious and proud.
Human reason is weak and may be deceived; but true faith cannot be deceived.
5. All reason and natural search ought to follow faith, and not to go before it, nor oppose it;
For faith and love are here predominant, and work by hidden ways in this most holy and super-excellent sacrament.
God, who is eternal and incomprehensible, and of infinite power, doth great and inscrutable things in heaven and earth, and there is no searching out his wonderful works.
If the works of God were such as might be easily comprehended by human reason, they could not be called wonderful and unspeakable.
The End
Erratum, page 356, line 2, for likely read lightly.