The Instructor 1.3.9

It is clear that the other kind of discourse, the teaching kind, is subtle and spiritual, attending to precision: it is the discourse of the higher mysteries, and let it be postponed for now. It is our duty to love in return him who lovingly guides us to the best life, and to live according to the ordinances of his will, not only doing what is commanded and guarding against what is forbidden, but also turning away from some examples and imitating others as closely as possible, so as to do the works of the Instructor in his likeness, that the words “in the image and likeness” may be fulfilled. For wandering in life as in deep darkness, we need a guide who cannot stumble and is accurate. The best guide is not a blind one, who, as the Scripture says, leads the blind by the hand into the pit; but the Word, who sees keenly and discerns the secrets of the heart. Just as there is no light that does not give light, nor mover that does not move, nor lover that does not love, so there is no good that does not benefit and lead to salvation. Let us love, then, the commandments through the works of the Lord (for the Word himself, clearly made flesh, displayed the same virtue as both practical and contemplative); and, taking the Word as law, let us recognize his commandments and counsels as short and swift roads to eternity; for his precepts are full of persuasion, not of fear.