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ISAAC: Your minute and subtle inquiry affords an indication of purity
being very nearly reached. For no one would be able even to make inquiries
on these matters, I will not say to look within and discriminate,--except
one who had been urged to sound the depths of such questions by careful and
effectual diligence of mind, and watchful anxiety, and one whom the
constant aim after a well controlled life had taught by practical
experience to attempt the entrance to this purity and to knock at its
doors. And therefore as I see you, I will not say, standing before the
doors of that true prayer of which we have been speaking, but touching its
inner chambers and inward parts as it were with the hands of experience,
and already laying hold of some pans of it, I do not think that I shall
find any difficulty in introducing you now within what I may call its hall,
for you to roam about its recesses, as the Lord may direct; nor do I think
that you will be hindered from investigating what is to be shown you by any
obstacles or difficulties. For he is next door to understanding who
carefully recognizes what he ought to ask about, nor is he far from
knowledge, who begins to understand how ignorant he is. And therefore I am
not afraid of the charge of betraying secrets, and of levity, if I divulge
what when speaking in my former discourse on the perfection of prayer I had
kept back from discussing, as I think that its force was to be explained to
us who are occupied with this subject and interest even without the aid of
my words, by the grace of God.
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