Chapter XXIV. Of his effectual preaching and his knowledge of the Scrip… light of divine radiance that whether he was reading the Old or New Testament some mystic interpretation of every passage came to him, and he everywhere found something to instruct him and lead him to God, the Fount of all; knowledge and the End of every word. The books that he kept to his hand were simple moral Treatises, especially the "Mirror for Monks," and certain manuals of virtuous exercises against sin wherewith he trained himself and his fellow soldiers in Christ's army to fight triumphantly against the temptations of the devil.
But the Novices, the inexperienced, and those that were swollen with worldly pride, and those that were yet tainted with love of carnal things, he did dissuade from studying deep and subtle questions, and from prying curiously into dark and doubtful matters.
(4) Therefore he taught that all such must first learn to humble themselves, to know well their own weakness, to submit themselves utterly to their Superiors, to prefer themselves before no man, to keep peace and amity with all, to have the fear of God ever in their heart, and having made their foundation sure in lowliness, at length by the indwelling grace of the Holy Ghost to climb to the height of clear knowledge and the light of that full vision of God which is promised to the pure in heart by that saying of the Lord, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
(5) They that seek to be thought subtle rather than to be humble, and desire knowledge more than a good life are easily puffed up, and are carnally minded; such men Florentius would severely reprove, and recall to a wholesome knowledge of their own weakness by humiliation and frequent exercises of devotion. When it was necessary for him to impeach 136 any, he was held in such awe that none ventured to contradict him, or excuse himself, by reason of the reverence inspired by his holy life, which none durst offend lest they should incur the wrath of God by not humbly obeying such directions.