We
therefore grossly deceive ourselves in not allotting more time to the
study of divine truths. It is not enough barely to believe them, and
let our thoughts now and then glance upon them: that knowledge which
shows us heaven, will not bring us to the possession of it, and will
deserve punishments, not rewards, if it remain slight, weak, and
superficial. By serious and frequent meditation it must be concocted,
digested, and turned into the nourishment of our affections, before
it can be powerful and operative enough to change them, and produce
the necessary fruit in our lives. For this all the saints affected
solitude and retreats from the noise and hurry of the world, as much
as their circumstances allowed them.
--
Saint Apollinaris of Hierapolis
