Chapter 19. How we cannot come to the true Light and Christ's Life, by mu... (Theologia Germanica) (Rhineland Mystics)

Let no one suppose, that we may attain to this true light and perfect knowledge, or life of Christ, by much questioning, or by hearsay, or by reading and study, nor yet by high skill and great learning. Yea, so long as a man takes account of anything which is this or that, whether it be himself, or any other creature; or doeth anything, or frameth a purpose, for the sake of his own likings or desires, or opinions, or ends, he comes not to the life of Christ. This hasChrist Himself declared, for He says:

"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." "He that takes not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me." And if he "hate not his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." He meaneth it thus: "He who does not forsake and part with everything, can never know My eternal truth, nor attain to My life." And though this had never been declared to us, yet the truth herself sayeth it, for it is so of a truth. But so long as a man clingeth to the elements and fragments of this world (and above all to himself), and holds converse with them, and maketh great account of them, he is deceived and blinded, and perceiveth what is good no further than as it is most convenient and pleasant to himself and profitable to his own ends.

These he holds to be the highest good and loveth above all. Thus he never comes to the truth.