For Jesus, who is all truthfulness, is hidden there (in Holy Writ), wound in a silken veil of its beautiful words where he may not be known or experienced except with a pure heart. This is simply because truthfulness does not reveal itself to enemies, but only to friends who love and desire it with a meek heart….

Jesus is a well of wisdom, and a little pouring of his wisdom into a cleansed soul, he makes that soul wise enough to understand all of the Scriptures. This does not happen all at once in a special vision, but through that grace the soul acquires a new capacity and a grace-filled talent for understanding it, especially when its words, hidden in our hearts, are called into remembrance. This opening up and clarifying of our understanding is brought about by the spiritual presence of Jesus….

‘Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures’ (Luke 24:45). In the same way, the spiritual presence of Jesus still opens the understanding of his lovers who are keen in their desire toward him, bringing to their remembrance by the ministering of angels the words and content of Holy Scripture unsought and unprompted, one after another. And then he readily expounds the Word he sends, however difficult or mysterious.

Walter Hilton (c.1343-96), Toward a Perfect Love.