But the investigation of the Scriptures and true knowledge of them require a good life, a pure soul, and virtue according to Christ. Guided along its path by this virtue, the mind may attain what it desires and comprehend, as far as human nature is able, what can be learned concerning God the Word.
For without a pure mind and a life modeled after the saints, no one can comprehend the words of the saints.
Anyone who wants to look at sunlight naturally wipes his eye clear first, in order to make, at any rate, some approximation to the purity of that on which he looks; and a person wishing to see a city or country goes to the place in order to do so. Similarly, anyone who wishes to understand the mind of the sacred writers must first cleanse his own life, and approach the saints by copying their deeds. Thus united to them in the fellowship of life, he will both understand the things revealed to them by God and, thenceforth escaping the peril that threatens sinners in the judgment, will receive that which is laid up for the saints in the kingdom of heaven. Of that reward it is written: "Eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared" for them that live a godly life and love the God and Father in Christ Jesus our Lord, through Whom and with Whom be to the Father Himself, with the Son Himself, in the Holy Spirit, honor and might and glory to ages of ages. Amen.