THE MYSTERIES OF THE FAITH NOT TO BE DIVULGED TO ALL.
But since this tradition is not published alone for him who perceives
the magnificence of the word; it is requisite, therefore, to hide in a
mystery the wisdom spoken, which the Son of God taught. Now, therefore,
Isaiah the prophet has his tongue purified by fire, so that he may be
able to tell the vision. And we must purify not the tongue alone, but
also the ears, if we attempt to be partakers of the truth.
Such were the impediments in the way of my writing. And even now I
fear, as it is said, “to cast the pearls before swine, lest they tread
them under foot, and turn and rend us.”[917] For it is difficult to
exhibit the really pure and transparent words respecting the true
light, to swinish and untrained hearers. For scarcely could anything
which they could hear be more ludicrous than these to the multitude;
nor any subjects on the other hand more admirable or more inspiring to
those of noble nature. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of
the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him.”[918] But the wise
do not utter with their mouth what they reason in council. “But what
ye hear in the ear,” says the Lord, “proclaim upon the houses;”[919]
bidding them receive the secret traditions of the true knowledge, and
expound them aloft and conspicuously; and as we have heard in the
ear, so to deliver them to whom it is requisite; but not enjoining us
to communicate to all without distinction, what is said to them in
parables. But there is only a delineation in the memoranda, which have
the truth sowed sparse and broadcast, that it may escape the notice
of those who pick up seeds like jackdaws; but when they find a good
husbandman, each one of them will germinate and produce corn.