Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Let us therefore first clear and remove the obscurity of the Phrases, that we may more comfortably handle the Divine matter contained in them; Always taking along with us this useful caution, That we run not away with a swelling metaphor, and from thence form in our minds rude, undigested Notions of Spiritual things; nor fancy we see Miracles, when we should content our selves with Marvels.

¹The former of these seeming repugnances, is, To know the Love of Christ which passeth knowledge? If this love of Christ passeth knowledge; why do we pray, why should we strive to know it? If it be our duty to pray that we may know it, how is it supposed to pass knowledge? Must we endeavour to reach that which is above all heights? To fathom that which is an Abyss and has no bottom? Or to take the Dimensions of that, which is unmeasurable?

1. 1(1.)

To remove this difficulty, there have been many expedients found out. 1.¹ Some carry the sense thus; To know the Love of Christ, which passeth, or surpasseth the knowledge of all other things: There is an excellency, an usefulness in the knowledge, of Christs Love, which is not to be found in the knowledge of any thing else. A man may know to his own pride, to the Admiration of others, he may have the knowledge of all Tongues, and Languages; may understand all Arts and Sciences, may dive deep into the secrets of Nature; may be profound in Worldly Policies, may have the Theory of all Religions true and false, and yet when he comes to cast up his Accounts, shall find himself, never the better, never the holier, indeed never the wiser, never the nearer satisfaction till he can reach this blessed knowledge of the Love of Christ.