M. Hardinge. The .11. Diuision.
And, lest al the vnlearned lay people should seeme hereby vtterly reiected from hope of vnderstan∣dinge 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,* 1.1 and in∣terpretation of the Holy Scriptures, nolesse then any other alwayes brought vp in learninge. Of what sorte S. Antonie that Holy, and perfecte man the Eremite of Egypt,* 1.2 was. VVho, as S. Augustine wri∣teth, without any knowledge of letters, bothe canned the Scriptures by harte with hearinge, and vnderstoode them wisely with thinkinge. And that holy man, whom S Gregorie speaketh of, who lie∣inge Bedread many yeeres for sickenesse of Bodie, through earnest praier and deuoute meditation, ob∣teined health of minde, and vnderstandinge of the Scriptures, neuer hauinge learned letters, so as he was hable to expounde them to those, that came to visite him: who comminge vnto him with pre∣tence to bringe conforte, through his heauenly knowledge, receiued confort. But amonge the peo∣ple, how greate number is there of lewde Losels, Gluttons, and Dronkerdes, whose bealy is their God, who folow their vnruly lustes? Is it to be thought, this sorte of persones may without meditation, and exercise of praier, pearse the vnderstandinge of the Scriptures, and of those holy Mysteries, whiche God hath hidden (as Christe confesseth) from the Learned and wise man, and opened vnto litle ones?