Page 22 - Book of Composition

Then said Morienus: “The omnipotent Lord, and Creator of all things,
has by his omnipotency created men healthy and omnipotent, because
they cannot transmute the order that is given to them, that is, they cannot
set those things behind, which he has set before, nor set those things
before, which he has set behind. Neither is it possible for to know
anything but by the demonstration of him, neither can they attain unto
any thing, unless it be first ordained and appointed by him. Neither can
they retain or keep anything, but by the fortitude divinely bestowed on
them of the great God.

“And that which is more to be marvelled at, they cannot any longer
govern and rule their minds, but for the time which God hath appointed
over them. For the Lord chooses of his servants whom he pleases that
they may seek this divine science, which is hidden from man, and being
found that they may retain it to themselves. For this is this science which
delivers his master from the misery of this world, and brings him to the
knowledge of goodness to come. And in times past they always kept this
wisdom as an inheritance, but since that time this science has been in a
manner contemned. But there remained many books of ancient Fathers,
in which the whole truth is contained, without any deceit, but every man
had not found it out which had brought it then to effect, by reason of the
many and diverse names which the ancient wise men had annexed to
matters belonging to that science.

“But I have perfectly retained the truth of this thing, as yourself have
known long ago. Surely our predecessors have used diverse and manifold
names in this Magistery, circumpassed with many great sophistries, yet
all showing the truth, and oftentimes approved to be true. All which they
did by reason of the ignorance of fools: that none might understand their
writings and sayings, but those that should be judged worthy of such and
so great a secret. Therefore if any man shall find out the sayings of them,
let him study diligently in them, until he understand them rightly. For it
becomes not any man to withdraw himself from this Magistery, but he
ought firmly to settle his faith and hope in the Almighty God, and daily
to pray to him: that he may be able to bring to pass that divine and
admirable work. And likewise earnestly to implore his aid, that it may
please God to convert him to better things by a more fair means, and to
cause him to trace in the true line of the science of this Magistery without
any by-way.”

Then said the king : “Now Morienus if it pleases you, let these precepts
and sayings suffice to be spoken. For I will follow and observe those that

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