Advancing In Understanding

Quapropter si vobis cura est ad spiritalis scientiae lumen, non inanis iactantiae vitio, sed emundationis gratia pervenire, illius primum beatitudinis cupiditate flammamini, de qua dictum est: Beati mundo corde, quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt; ut etiam ad illam de qua angelus ad Danielem ait pervenire possitis: Qui autem docti fuerint, fulgebunt sicut splendor firmamenti; et qui ad iustitiam erudiunt multos, quasi stellae in perpetuas aeternitates; et in alio propheta: Illuminate vobis lumen scientiae dum tempus est. Tenentes itaque illam quam habere vos sentio diligentiam lectionis, omni studio festinate actualem, id est, ethicam, quam primum ad integrum comprehendere disciplinam Absque hac namque illa quam diximus theoretica puritas non potest apprehendi, quam hi tantum, qui non aliorum docentium verbis, sed propriorum actuum virtute perfecti sunt, post multa operum ac laborum stipendia, iam quasi in praemio consequuntur. Non enim a meditatione legis intelligentiam, sed de fructu operis acquirentes, cum Psalmographo canunt: A mandatis tuis intellexi. Et excoctis passionibus universis, fiducialiter dicunt: Psallam et intelligam in via immaculata. Ille enim psallens intelligit quae canuntur, qui in via immaculata gressu puri cordis innititur. Et idcirco si scientiae spiritali sacrum in corde vestro vultis tabernaculum praeparare, ab omnium vos vitiorum contagione purgate, et curis saeculi praesentis exuite. Impossibile namque est animam quae mundanis vel tenuiter distentionibus occupatur, donum scientiae promereri, vel generatricem spiritualium sensuum, aut tenacem sacrarum lectionum fieri. Sanctus Ioannes Cassianus, Collationes, Collatio XIV, De Spirituli Scientia, Caput IX, Quod de actuali scientia proficiatur ad spiritalem Source: Migne PL 49.965b-966b

Whence if you have care to come to the light of spiritual knowledge, but not for the fault of empty boasting, but for the sake of being cleansed, first be inflamed with the desire for that blessedness concerning which it was said: 'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God,' 1 so that you might even achieve what the angel said to Daniel: 'But they who are learned shall shine as the splendor of the firmament, and they who instruct many to righteousness as stars forever and ever.' 2 And in another prophet: 'Enlighten yourselves with the light of knowledge while there is time.' 3 And so keeping to that diligence in reading which I know that you have, hasten with all eagerness to gain first a comprehensive grasp of practical, that is, ethical, discipline. For without this that theoretical purity which we have spoken of cannot be obtained, which only those who are perfected acquire as reward, and not by the words of others who teach, but by the virtue of their own actions, and after much expenditure of effort and toil. For gaining knowledge not from meditation on the law but from the fruit of their own labour, they sing with the Psalmist: 'By your commandments I have understood.' 4 And having overcome all the passions, they confidently say: 'I will sing, and I will understand in the immaculate way.' 5 For as he sings, he understands what he sings who in the immaculate way is striving with the step of a pure heart. And therefore if you wish to prepare in your heart a holy tabernacle of spiritual knowledge, purge yourself from the infection of all sins and strip off the cares of the present world. For it is impossible for the soul which is occupied even lightly with worldly concerns to merit the gift of knowledge, or to become  a spiritual interpreter, or to be diligent in the reading of holy things. Saint John Cassian, Conferences, Conference 14, On Spiritual Knowledge, Chapter 9, How one advances from practical knowledge to spiritual knowledge 1 Mt 5.8 2 Dan 12.3 3 Hosea 10.12 4 Ps 118.104 5 Ps 100.2