So after the “slicing” must come the “pounding,” that is, after division and classification we must continually dwell in and linger over the thoughts presented to our minds. Continued exercise makes solid knowledge, as its absence makes ignorance. We see how great is the multitude of those who, through shirking bodily training, have enfeebled their natural strength. Not such an example did those follow who fed their soul with the heavenly food called manna. They ground and chafed it and made of it “buried” cakes (Numb. 11:8), judging it right to crush and grind virtue’s heaven-sent discourse, that its impress on their understanding might be the firmer. When then you acknowledge as God wills these four things, the new,’ that is the blossom or vigour; the ‘roasted,’ that is the fire-tested and invincible reason; the ‘sliced,’ that is the division of things into their classes; the ‘pounded,’ that is the persistent practice and exercise in what the mind has grasped, you will bring an offering of the first-fruits, even the first and best offspring of the soul. Yet even if we are slow to do this, He Himself is not slow to take to Himself those who are fit for His service. “I will take you,” He says, “to be My people and I will be your God (Exod. 6:7), and ye shall be to Me a people. I am the Lord” (Lev. 26:12).
On the Sacrifices of Abel and Cain 26
Tap any verse to see what it echoes — and start a chain or echo from it.