Mount Pisgah, or, A prospect of heaven being an exposition on the fourth chapter…Movnt Pisgah, or, A prospect of heaven being an exposition on the fourth chapter…

For the use of this last branch of the heavenly vision: Use. It may serve to moderate and restrain that inordinate curiosity in our natures, to be looking into dark and hidden mysteries. There is a concupiscence in the understanding, lusting after forbidden knowledge, as there is in the will after forbidden fruit; we inherit both from our first Father and Mother; they affected a knowledge above the capacity of their natures; they would know as God knoweth, universally, intuitively, and at once; but by such an ambition of knowing more than they ought, they forfeited what they had, which was sufficient to have made them happy; and while they aspired to be as God which made them, they became like the beasts that perish. It was the presumption of the Bethshemites, they would be prying into the Ark, though they died for it; and there is a pride and wantonness in our nature, ¹which sets us a prying into Arcana Coeli, the hidden and secret counsels of God. Adam's Children are yet sick of his disease, they would fain be as wise as God, and know all things: But, the secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do them. And in these revealed things there is matter enough to exercise our studies, had we Methusalem's lease of life sealed to us. In the revealed things of God, there is so much yet unrevealed, and therefore left unrevealed, that we might search and dig into them, Prov. 2, 3, 4. with the addition of a promise to encourage industry, Then shall we know, ²if we follow on to know the Lord; so much I say, that when we have travelled many years in the disquisition and search thereof, we may fit down and complain, our lives are too short for our work, and truly confess, that the greatest part of what we know, is nothing to what we are ignorant of. Oh that upon those studies Christians would lay out their time and spirits! proving what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. And therefore study to know it, that they may do it, for to such is the promise, ³If any man will do ⟨p. 48⟩his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God: Oh this is excellent, when Christians study to know that they may do, and not that they may know only; and so doing they shall know, and so knowing they shall do;