M. Harding. The .11. Division.M. Hardinge. The .11. Diuision.

M. Harding. The .11. Division.

M. Hardinge. The .11. Diuision.

And, lest all the unlearned lay people should seem hereby utterly rejected from hope of understanding God's word without teaching of others, it may be granted, that it is not impossible, a man (be he never so unlearned) exercised in long Prayer, accustomed to fervent contemplation, being brought by God into his inward cellars, may from thence obtain the true understanding,¹ and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, no less then any other always brought up in learning. Of what sort S. Antony that Holy, and perfect man the Eremite of Egypt,² was. Who, as S. Augustine writeth, without any knowledge of letters, both canned the Scriptures by heart with hearing, and understood them wisely with thinking. And that holy man, whom S Gregory speaketh of, who lying Bedrid many years for sickness of Body, through earnest prayer and devout meditation, obtained health of mind, and understanding of the Scriptures, never having learned letters, so as he was able to expound them to those, that came to visit him: who coming unto him with pretence to bring comfort, through his heavenly knowledge, received comfort. But among the people, how great number is there of lewd Losels, Gluttons, and Drunkards, whose belly is their God, who follow their unruly lusts? Is it to be thought, this sort of persons may without meditation, and exercise of prayer, pierce the understanding of the Scriptures, and of those holy Mysteries, which God hath hidden (as Christ confesseth) from the Learned and wise man, and opened unto little ones?

And, lest al the vnlearned lay people should seeme hereby vtterly reiected from hope of vnderstandinge Goddes woorde without teachinge of others, it may be graunted, that it is not impossible, a man (be he neuer so vnlearned) exercised in longe Praier, accustomed to feruent contemplation, being brought by God into his inwarde cellares, may from thence obteine the true vnderstandinge,