The saints treasury being sundry sermons preached in London /

Now if Jacob had not had faith to look through these to the things that might encourage him in his way to things not seen, it had been impossible he should have gone on. So when God brings Israel to Canaan, you know what a way they go about through the wilderness: when they were come to Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, God brought them to the worst part of it: for the south part was the hottest, and dryest, and barrennest part of the country: thus God seems to go on in cross ways, and this hides the excellency of the things of God: and hence it comes to pass they are not seen. If it be so, then that the things of God are not seen to a carnal eye, and require more then reason to apprehend them:

Now if Jacob had not had faith to look through these to the things that might encourage him in his way to things not seen, it had been impossible he should have gone on. So when God brings Israel to Canaan, you know what a way they goe about through the wildernesse: when they were come to Canaan, a land flowing with milk and hony, God brought them to the worst part of it: for the south part was the hottest, and dryest, and barrennest part of the countrey: thus God seemes to goe on in crosse wayes, and this hides the excellency of the things of God: and hence it comes to passe they are not seen. If it be so, then that the things of God are not seen to a carnall eye, and require more then reason to apprehend them:

First, it should make us cease wondering, that men of excellent parts and reason, do not see the things of God, but slight them: be not offended at this, they are things not seen: it is ⟨p. 79⟩a great deceit in many, who think that because such and such men have larger abilities of reason then others to understand natural things; that therefore it must needs follow, they have deeper apprehensions of spiritual things: and yet men reason thus, what you poor simple men and women understand these things, when there are great Scholars and learned men, that see them not: this argues a carnal heart; as if the strength of reason could make men apprehend more then faith can do. You know what Christ says, Father I thank thee, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes,