CHAPTER IX
OF READING
If thou desire to come to the love of God,
and be kindled in thy desire for heavenly joys, and be brought to the despising
of earthly things, be not negligent in meditating and reading holy scripture;
and most in those places where it teaches manners, and to eschew the deceits of
the fiend, and where it speaks of God's love, and of contemplative life. Hard
sayings may be left to disputers and to wise men used for a long time in holy
doctrine.
It helps us truly mickle to profit in good. By
this we know our defaults and good deeds; in which things we sin, and in which
not; what we should do, and what forbear; and the most subtle deceits of our
enemies are opened to us. They kindle to love, and prick to weeping. If we have
delight in them as it were in all riches, they prepare us a table of
delights.
But let not covetousness of the honour or favour
or praise of men kindle us to knowledge of scripture, but only the intent to
please God; that we may know how we should love Him, and teach our neighbour
the same. We ought not to be holden wise anent the people but rather hide our
knowledge than show it so as to be praised, as it is said: In corde meo
abscondi eloquia tua, ut non peccem tibi, that is: `In my heart thy words,
that I sin not towards thee,' in void or vain showing.
Therefore the cause of our speaking should be
only the praise of God and the edification of our neighbour, that it may be
fulfilled in us: Semper laus ejus in ore meo. `Alway His praise be in my
mouth,' and that is, when we seek not our own honour and we speak not against
His praise.