The child's portion, or, The unseen glory of the children of God asserted and…

1. Study much for this knowledge: The wise man's assertion, Light is sweet, is true of material light, much more of spiritual; and there is never a ray of it which brings more of delight with it, than that which discovers unto us our names written in Heaven: The Philosopher could say, a little knowledge, and that conjectural (which deserves not the title of knowledge) in heavenly things, is to be preferred before a great deal, and that certain, in earthly things: And yet were his thoughts bounded on this side of the third heaven: But here we have the best and surest knowledge, the clearest and most demonstrable light is to be had of the things of eternity. Man's nature inclines him to love knowledge in general; let grace rectify nature, ⟨p. 90⟩and employ you in the disquisition of theirs, the knowledge whereof can be no less than inchoative happiness. Of all knowledge, that which concerns our selves is the most profitable, and of our selves, that which informs us about our eternity is the most desirable: The souls immortality is discovered by a beam of natures light, the happiness of some, and misery of others in their immortality is evident by Scripture revelation; the uncertainty of our present condition here, is known by constant experience: He therefore, and only he can enjoy solid comfort, who hath an hope grounded in knowledge that it shall at last go well with him.

1. Study much for this knowledge: The wise man's assertion, Light is sweet, is true of material light, much more of spiritual; and there is never a ray of it which brings more of delight with it, than that which discovers unto us our names written in Heaven: The Philosopher could say, a little knowledge, and that conjectural (which deserves not the title of knowledge) in heavenly things, is to be preferred before a great deal, and that certein, in earthly things: And yet were his thoughts bounded on this side of the third heaven: But here we have the best and surest knowledge, the clearest and most demonstrable light is to be had of the things of eternity. Man's nature inclines him to love knowledge in general; let grace rectifie nature, ⟨p. 90⟩and employ you in the disquisition of theirs, the knowledge whereof can be no less than inchoative happiness. Of all knowledge, that which concerns our selves is the most profitable, and of our selves, that which informes us about our eternity is the most desirable: The souls immortality is discovered by a beam of natres light, the happiness of some, and misery of others in their immortality is evident by Scripture revelation; the uncerteinty of our present condition here, is known by constant experience: He therefore, and only he can enjoy solid comfort, who hath an hope grounded in knowledge that it shall at last go well with him.