Meditations, Meditation 39
39
The best knowledge hath been anciently thought to be mans knowledge of himselfe: but the best knowledge indeede being the knowledge of the best, which is God, the knowledge of man comes next in worth, who is the next best in this lower world, and whom God knowne, teacheth and commandeth to know himselfe, and who by knowing himselfe shall the better know God. Now the immediate vse of this knowledge being to better the knower, hee that will make most vse therof, must learne to know himselfe most in those parts and faculties, which are of most vse and excellence. Therefore on the soule, let the soule of man especially fasten her eies, that knowing herself with a right and true knowledge, she may finde what is right in her, to continue and confirme it; and which is crooked and corrupted, to auoide & amend it. But to do this clearely, she hath need of some light aboue her owne; for it is hard for the blind soule to see her owne blindnesse. Therefore begging for that eye-salue of the greatest Light, and so hauing obtained it, let her goe on to a true search and inquirie of her selfe. In this inquirie, let her generally compare the resolutions of her vnderstanding, and the inclinations of her will, with the lawes of her Maker. For seeing the soule did, and shold beare the Image of God, which Image, the lawes of God truly and vnchangeably expresse: it is a certaine truth, that wherin the soule differeth and boweth from these lawes, in vnderstanding or will; therein, and in so much, the soule differeth from God, and hath abated and altered his Image. And this is indeed a chiefe and most worthy employment of mans time on earth, when the soule lookes into Gods louelove, as into a glasse, and thereby trimmeth and fitteth her selfe for her Maker, against the day of her appearance before his glorious Selfe, who cannot abide to see any thing neere him that is vnlike him. Now there are some parcels and remnants of this Law, yet remaining of the first writing in the nature of man: but if we will reade profitably therein, we must take heed we follow it not too farre, but still compare it with the Law written, because there are but small broken and corrupted pieces thereof. While we are in this search, as generalitie and custome are great binders of the soule vntounto error and corruption, so a suspicion that a generall estimation of things may proceede from the vnderstanding deceiued, or the will corrupted, may be a great helpe to bring the soule into her place and true estate. For to suspect deceit, is a first and excellent degree toward being vndeceiued; & vntounto this suspicion of mens wisest and most esteemed opinions, the word of truth giueth vsus a good foundation, while it sayes, that many things which are highly esteemed among men, are abominable in the sight of God. And of this againe, there is an vnfallible reason, euen the corruptnesse of the soule by the fall of man. For this deprauation mightily possessing the vnderstanding, makes it in the best iudgement thereof, to think deceitfully of things, and withall to thinke these deceiued thoughts wise, because it knoweth nothing beyond them. But let the soule that prepareth her selfe for God, vntie her selfe from her selfe, as from a thing corrupted, and from the world, as from a multitude of such things as her selfe is; equally blinded, and walking in the same darkenesse, though among themselues they be agreed to call it light. Thus putting off her own corruption and that of the world, shee is fit and ready to be new stamped with the image of her Creator, and to be inlightned with truth in her vnderstanding, and to put on rightnesse in her wil, which let her learne from the law, and desire to hauehave ingrauen in her by grace. In this course there will bee many Rubbs, the glorious folly of the world will mocke thy particular and desolate wisedome, it will disswade thee from singularity and desire, or prouoke thee to erre with company; it will aske thee whether the rulers doe beleeue as thou doest; yea thine owne corruption will somtime strike thee into astonishment, and make thee muse and wonder whether thou art in a right minde and purpose. But goe on vnchanged, knowing that thou seekest not what is vsuall, but what is right, and the patterne to which thou art fitting thy selfe is not man but God; euen a patterne of perfection beyond all exception. This is also their duty if they considered it. Therefore let them that would turne thee, returne to thee, Returne not thou to them. When thou shalt present thy selfe before God, the more holy and vnblameable thou art, the more acceptable shalt thou bee to him, who wil not aske what company came with thee, but wil know and acknowledge his sonnes by their likenesse to him, and accordingly reward them as that is more or lesse; & then shal it be no sorrow of heart to thee, that thou hast gone out of thy selfe, and the world, to passe through somewhat more vnsociably into happinesse.