An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Yet let none be discouraged in seeking after the knowledge of God, because 'tis told us we cannot know God; yea let no man think to excuse himself in his neglect of pursuing the knowledge of God, because this Text saith we cannot know him. Some possibly will say, If God be so great, that we cannot know him, then why should we labour after the knowledge of God? or we hope this will excuse us, if we do not know him, seeing we cannot. Take heed of such reasonings; for though God cannot be known to the utmost of what himself is, yet God may be known so far as is needful for us, and that is very far. We may know God so far as concerns our duty to him, and our happiness by him; we may know God so far as to honour him, and to enjoy him: and we must labour to know him perfectly, though we cannot. The Apostle speaking of the love of God (Eph. 3.17.) would have us labour to comprehend with all Saints, the height, the breadth, the depth, the length, and to know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge. That the love of Christ passeth knowledge, that it exceeds our understanding, should not discourage us from labouring to know it; nor will it excuse any that sit down idly, and do not study the knowledge of God, though he passeth knowledge; we must labour to know the greatness of Gods love, and the greatness of Gods wisdom, and the greatness of Gods power, though the ⟨p. 377⟩greatness of God in all these is greater tha• our narrow hearts can comprehend. Behold, God is great, and we know him not, Neither can the number of his years be searched out.

Yet let none be discou•aged in seeking after the knowledge of God, because 'tis told us we cannot know God; yea let no man think to excuse himself in his neglect of pursuing the knowledge of God, because this Text saith we cannot know him. Some possibly will say, If God be so great, that we cannot know him, then why should we labour after the knowledge of God? or we hope this will excuse us, if we do not know him, seeing we cannot. Take heed of such reasonings; for though God cannot be known to the utmost of what himself is, yet God may be known so far as is needfull for us, and that is very far. We may know God so far as concerns our duty to him, and our happiness by him; we may know God so far as to honour him, and to enjoy him: and we must labour to know him perfectly, though we cannot. The Apostle speaking of the love of God (