Of prudence in what we do
Chapter
prudence
asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how religiously we have lived.
Tell me, Where are all those doctors and masters with whom you were well acquainted while they were yet alive and famous for their learning?
Others now hold their preferments, and I know not that they ever think of them.
In their lifetime they seemed to be something, and now they are not spoken of.
6. O how quickly passes away the glory of the world! O that their life had been in keeping with their learning! Then would they have studied and lectured to good purpose.
How many perish in the world by vain learning, since they set small store upon the service of God.
And because they choose to be great rather than humble, therefore do they become vain in their speculations.^
He is truly great who has great love of God.
He is truly great who is little in his own eyes, and counts for nothing all the heights of honour.
He is truly prudent who esteems all earthly things as dung, that he may win Christ.^ And he is truly most learned, who does the will of God and forsakes his own.
CHAPTER 4
OF PRUDENCE IN WHAT WE DO
We must not trust every word or impulse, but cautiously and patiently weigh the matter according to God.
Alas! we are so imperfect that we often believe and speak evil of our neighbours more readily than good.
But perfect men do not easily give credit to every tale-bearer; for they know that human frailty is prone to evil, and very apt to slip in speech.
It is great wisdom not to be headlong in our actions, and not to persist obstinately in our own opinions.
It is a part of this wisdom also not to believe everything men say, nor straightway to pour into the ears of others what we have heard or believed.
Take counsel of a wise and conscientious man, and seek rather to be instructed by one that is better, than to follow your own notions.
1 Romans i, 21. sPhilippians iii, 8.