Book V, Chapter VI

There is great difference between the wisdom of an illuminated and devout man, and the knowledge of a learned and studious clerk

(On these words) — “ There is great difference between the wisdom of an illuminated and devout man, and the knowledge; of a learned and studious clerk.” B. iii. c. 31.

Question. — Wherein consists this difference? I

Answer. — In three things principally. The first is, that the wisdom of a man of prayer cometh from the Father of lights a, and that it “ floweth from above,”

B. iii. c. 31, while the knowledge of a man of letters is but the fruit of study. Whence it follows, that this I wisdom, emanating from above, cannot be without i truth, seeing that it comes from the Fountain of all I light, the Uncreated Truth. Therefore is it always firm, always certain, without clouds or darkness; whereas that learning which is acquired by reasoning, has much of the weakness of the human mind, naturally subject to doubts and self-deceit. Even the pagan philosophers acknowledged that those thoughts which come to us unsought, and as of themselves, are more valuable than all the productions of our mind.

If this is the case even with profane learning, how far more must it be with supernatural things which are above our reason, and can be discovered to us only; by the Divine Light.

2. The second difference is, that the wisdom which j

’ God communicates to man in prayer easily enters his mind; while human learning costs him much trouble, and cannot be thoroughly obtained without long j

a James L 17. •

BETTER TUAN THROUGH STUDY.

labour. Supernatural and Divine Knowledge has this property, that it relieves, consoles, and enlarges the heart, but that which requires study and meditation wearies the mind; as the wise man says, “ He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” Eccl. i. 18.

3. The third is, that the knowledge which is given by a ray of the Eternal Light, is always, or almost always, suddenly impressed on the soul, and that which is introduced into it by means of speculation, enters slowly and gradually, as the Author on whom we are commenting remarks, when he makes our Lord say, “ I am He that in one instant do raise up the humble minda.” We feel ourselves, in fact, more enlightened in this one instant, than we should be after ten years of study in the schools. This is done by the operation of the Holy Spirit, and by the infusion of a light which is quite simple, with no variety of objects, but which contains within itself the essence and abridgment of a thousand distinct truths.

To comprehend this rightly, represent to yourself two men, of whom one writes, and the other prints a discourse. The first requires much time to form every letter, to arrange and join them together. The second, by a single movement of the press, can complete a whole sheet. So a studious man may in time acquire some knowledge of the things of God; but one who is taught by supernatural Light is at once so enlightened, that he is able to speak long and in a Divine manner on the most spiritual subjects.

But that which distinguishes him most above the other is, that God communicates His Spirit to him, according to the promise of the Saviour, Who said to His Apostles, The Spirit of Truth, which proceeded from the Father, will guide you into all truth. John xv. 26; xvi. 13. Thus, as we daily see, are

I 190 LEARNING THROUGH PRA YE R BETTER THAN STUDY. the words of Scripture accomplished, that a man’s 1 mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven I watchmen, more learned than he, that sit above in a 1 high tower. Ecclus. xxxvii. 14. j

This has been proved in very many instances, and particularly with respect to St. Theresa. Fifteen learned men were assembled at Avila to judge by what spirit she was led. When the examination was finished, they concluded that the astonishing things that God worked in her were the operations of the devil. But a holy monk, of the Order of St. Francis, passing by, perceived and declared, that it was the Spirit of God that governed her; and St. Francis of Borgia, more illustrious for the gift of contemplation which God had given him than for his learning, confirmed this declaration.

It is written in the life of St. Clara of Monte-Falco, that she discovered a concealed heretic, who was universally regarded and revered as a Saint. God has worked many other wonders in His servants. He sent St. Bernard to destroy many errors, and to 4 undeceive many heretics. Yet the Saint in his youth had given but little time to study, and with all his talent, what he had learned could not have sufficed to write the many admirable works which he has left us.

Even women, as St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Theresa, and some others, have discoursed so well on the Mysteries of the Faith, that their works cannot be read without admiration. St. Ignatius, the Founder of the Company of Jesus, had received such light on I the Ineffable Mystery of the Trinity, that he under-; took to write a book on it without having studied. St. Francis of Assisi, when consulted on many diffi- cult passages of Scripture, instantly replied so clearly, that learned men were surprised at him. You have only to read the Chronicles of his Order to see some, remarkable instances of this and all this proceeds, not

I WHAT ARE THE SECRETS OF THE LORD JESUS. 191 from the strength and penetration of the human mind, i but from Divine Illumination. Therefore it is more fitly called wisdom than learning.