Chap. 1.] THE SAINTS' REST. 23 the midst of the fiery furnace with thee, like the Son of God ? Believe me, Christians, yea, believe God; you that have known most of God in Christ here, it is as nothing to what you shall know : it scarce, in comparison of that, de- serves to be called knowledge. For as these bodies, so that knowledge must cease, that a more perfect may suc- ceed. Knowledge shall vanish away. For we know in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but, when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now. we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know, even as also I am known. Marvel not, therefore, Chris- tian, how it can be life eternal to knowGod and Jesus Christ. To enjoy God and Christ is eternal life; and the soul's enjoying is in knowing. They that savor only of earth, and consult with flesh, think it a poor happiness to. know God. But we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness; and we know that the Sort of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. The memory will not be idle, or useless, in this blessed work. From that height the saint can look behind him, and before him. And to compare past with present things must needs raise in the blessed soul an inconceivable es- teem and sense of its condition. To stand on that mount, whence we can see the Wilderness and Canaan both at once to stand in Heaven and look back on earth, and weigh them together in the balance of a comparing sense and judgment, how must it needs transport the soul, and make it cry out, " Is this the purchase that cost so dear as the blood of Christ? No wonder. O blessed price ! and thrice blessed love, that invented, and condescended ! Is this the end of believing ? Is this the end of the'Spirit's workings ? Have the gales of grace blown me into such a harbor? Is it hither that Christ hath allured my soul ? O blessed way, and thrice blessed end ! Is this the glory which the Scriptures spoke of, and ministers preached of so much? I see the Gospel is indeed good tidings, even _
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