{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050266.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050266.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050266.htm","text":"Chapter 19.\u2014Sins of Ignorance; To Whom Wisdom is Given by God on Their Requesting It.\nHe further treats of sins of ignorance, and says that \u201ca man ought to be very careful to avoid ignorance; and that ignorance is blameworthy for this reason, because it is through his own neglect that a man is ignorant of that which he certainly must have known if he had only applied diligence;\u201d whereas he prefers disputing all things rather than to pray, and say: \u201cGive me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.\u201d 1174 It is, indeed, one thing to have taken no pains to know what sins of negligence were apparently expiated even through divers sacrifices of the law; it is another thing to wish to understand, to be unable, and then to act contrary to the law, through not understanding what it would have done. We are accordingly enjoined to ask of God wisdom, \u201cwho giveth to all men liberally;\u201d 1175 that is, of course, to all men who ask in such a manner, and to such an extent, as so great a matter requires in earnestness of petition.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise on Nat...","type":"page"}