14. But now I will proceed
with what I have begun, if I can, and I will so treat with you, as
not in the mean while to lay open the Catholic Faith, but, in order
that they may search out its great mysteries, to show to those who
have a care for their souls, hope of divine fruit, and of the
discerning of truth. No one doubts of him who seeks true religion,
either that he already believes that there is an immortal soul for
that religion to profit, or that he also wishes to find that very
thing in this same religion. Therefore all religion is for the sake
of the soul; for howsoever the nature of the body may be, it causes
no care or anxiety, especially after death, to him, whose soul
possesses that whereby it is blessed. For the sake of the soul,
therefore, either alone or chiefly, hath true religion, if there be
any such, been appointed. But this soul, (I will consider for what
reason, and I confess the matter to be most obscure,) yet errs, and
is foolish, as we see, until it attain to and perceive wisdom, and
perhaps this very [wisdom] is true religion. I am not, am I,
sending you to fables? I am not, am I, forcing you to believe
rashly? I say that our soul entangled and sunk in error and folly
seeks the way of truth, if there be any such. If this be not your
case, pardon me, I pray, and share with me your wisdom; but if you
recognize in yourself what I say, let us, I entreat, together seek
the truth.