THE SAINT'S REST. 19 peccant humours, painful or pining sickness, griping fears, consuming cares, nor whatsoever deserves the name of evil. " We did weep and lament when the world did rejoice; but our sorrow is turned into joy, and our joy shall no man take from us. "(n) § 7. (3) Another ingredient of this rest, is, the highest degree of the saint's personal perfection, both of body and soul. Were the glory ever so great, and themselves not made capable of it, by a personal per- fection suitable thereto, it would be little to them. " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. "(o) For the eye of flesh is not capable of seeing them, nor this ear of hearing them, nor this heart, of understanding them : But there the eye, the ear, and heart, are made capable ; else how do they enjoy them ! The more perfect the sight is, the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical the ear, the more pleasant the melody. The more perfect the soul, the more joyous those joys, and the more glorious to us is that glory. § 8. (4) The principal part of this rest, is our nearest enjoyment of God the chief good. And here, reader, wonder not if I be at a loss ; and if my appre- hensions receive but little of that which is in my ex- pressions. If ' it did not appear,' to the beloved disciple, what we shall be,' but only in general, that when Christ shall appear we shall be like him,'(p) no wonder if I know so little. When I know so little of God, I can- not much know what it is to enjoy him. If I know so little of spirits, how little of the Father of spirits, on the state of my own soul, when advanced to the enjoyment of him ! I stand and look upon a heap. of ants, and see them all with one view ; they know not me, my being, nature, or thoughts, though I am their fellow - creature : how little then must we know of the great Creator, though he with one view clearly beholds (n) John xvi. 20, 22. (o) 1 Cor. ii. 9. (p) 1 John iii. .
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