Of the Imitation of Christ/Book IV/Chapter XVIII
CHAPTER XVIII.
THAT A MAN SHOULD NOT BE A CURIOUS SEARCHER INTO THE HOLY SACRAMENT, BUT AN HUMBLE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, SUBMITTING HIS SENSE TO DIVINE FAITH.
HOU oughtest to beware of curious and unprofitable searching into this most profound sacrament, if thou wilt not be plunged into the depths of doubt.
He that is a searcher of My majesty shall be overpowered by My glory. God is able to work more than man can understand.
A dutiful and humble enquiry after the truth is allowable, provided we be always ready to be taught, and study to walk in the sound doctrine of the church of our fathers.
2. It is a blessed simplicity when a man leaves the difficult ways of questions and disputings, and goes forward in the plain and firm path of God's commandments.
Many have lost devotion, whilst they sought to search into things too high.
Faith is required at thy hands, and a sincere life; not enquiry into the deep mysteries of God.
If thou dost not understand things that are beneath thee how shalt thou comprehend those which are above thee?
Submit thyself unto God, and humble thy sense to faith, and the light of knowledge shall be given thee, in such degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee.
3. Some are grievously tempted about faith and this holy sacrament; but this is not to be imputed to themselves, but rather to the enemy.
Be not thou anxious herein; do not dispute with thine own thoughts, nor give any answer to doubts suggested by the devil; but trust the words of God, trust His Saints and Prophets, and the enemy will flee from thee.
It is profitable to the servant of God to endure such things.
For the devil tempteth not unbelievers and sinners; but faithful and devout persons he tempteth and disquieteth.
4. Go forward therefore with simple and undoubting faith, and with the reverence of a supplicant draw thou near to the holy sacrament; and whatsoever thou art not able to understand, commit to Almighty God.
God deceiveth thee not; he is deceived that trusteth too much to himself.
God walketh with the simple, revealeth Himself to the humble, giveth understanding to the little ones, openeth the sense to pure minds, and hideth grace from the proud.
Human reason may be deceived, true faith cannot be deceived.
5. All reason and natural search ought to follow Faith, not to go before it, nor to break in upon it.
For Faith and Love do here specially take the lead, and work in hidden ways, in this most holy sacrament.
God, who is eternal, incomprehensible, and of infinite power, doeth things great and unsearchable in Heaven and in earth, and there is no tracing out His marvellous works.
If the works of God were such that they might be easily comprehended by human reason, they could not justly be called marvellous or unspeakable.
turnbull and spears, printers, edinburgh.