HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER
Of three means in the which a contemplative Prentice should be
occupied, in reading, thinking, and
praying.
NEVERTHELESS, means there be in the which a contemplative prentice should be
occupied, the which be these--Lesson, Meditation, and Orison: or else to thine
understanding they may be called--Reading, Thinking, and Praying. Of these
three thou shalt find written in another book of another man's work, much
better than I can tell thee; and therefore it needeth not here to tell thee of
the qualities of them. But this may I tell thee: these three be so coupled
together, that unto them that be beginners and profiters--but not to them that
be perfect, yea, as it may be here--thinking may not goodly be
gotten, without reading or hearing coming before. All is one in manner, reading
and hearing: clerks reading on books, and lewd men reading on clerks when they
hear them preach the word of God. Nor prayer may not goodly be gotten in
beginners and profiters, without thinking coming before.
See by the proof. In this same course, God's
word either written or spoken is likened to a mirror. Ghostly, the eyes of thy
soul is thy reason; thy conscience is thy visage ghostly. And right as thou
seest that if a foul spot be in thy bodily visage, the eyes of the same visage
may not see that spot nor wit where it is, without a mirror or a teaching of
another than itself; right so it is ghostly, without reading or hearing of
God's word it is impossible to man's understanding that a soul that is blinded
in custom of sin should see the foul spot in his conscience.
And so following, when a man seeth in a bodily or
ghostly mirror, or wots by other men's teaching, whereabouts the foul spot is
on his visage, either bodily or ghostly; then at first, and not before, he
runneth to the well to wash him. If this spot be any special sin, then is this
well Holy Church, and this water confession, with the circumstances. If it be
but a blind root and a stirring of sin, then is this well merciful God, and
this water prayer, with the circumstances. And thus mayest thou see that no
thinking may goodly be gotten in beginners and profiters, without reading or
hearing coming before: nor praying without thinking.