The saints everlasting rest

Knowledge of itself is very desirable. As far as the rational soul exceeds the sensitive, so far the delights of a philosopher, in discovering the secrets of nature, and knowing the mystery of sciences, exceeds the delights of the glutton, the drunkard, and of all voluptuous ⟨p. 21⟩sensualists whatsoever; so excellent is all truth. What then is their delight, who know the GOD of truth? What would I not give, so that all the uncertain principles in logic, natural philosophy, metaphysics, and medicine, were but certain? And that my dull, obscure notions of them, were but quick and clear? O what then would I not perform, or part with, to enjoy a clear and true apprehension of the most true GOD! How noble a faculty of the soul is the understanding! It can compass the earth; it can measure the sun, moon, stars, and heaven; it can foreknow each eclipse to a minute, many years before: yea, but this is the top of all its excellency, it can know GOD, who is infinite, who made all these; a little here, and much more hereafter. O the wisdom and goodness of our blessed LORD! he hath created the understanding with a natural bias to truth, and its object; and to the prime truth as its prime object: and lest we should turn aside to any creature, he hath kept this as his own divine prerogative, not communicable to any creature, viz. to be the prime truth.

Knowledge of itself is very desirable. As far as the rational soul exceeds the sensitive, so far the delights of a philosopher, in discovering the secrets of nature, and knowing the mystery of sciences, exceeds the delights of the glutton, the drunkard, and of all voluptuous ⟨p. 21⟩sensualists whatsoever; so excellent is all truth. What then is their delight, who know the GOD of truth? What would I not give, so that all the uncertain principles in logic, natural philosophy, metaphysies, and medicine, were but certain? And that my dull, obscure notions of them, were but quick and clear? O what then would I not perform, or part with, to enjoy a clear and true apprehension of the most true GOD! How noble a faculty of the soul is the understanding! It can compass the earth; it can measure the sun, moon, stars, and heaven; it can foreknow each eclipse to a minute, many years before: yea, but this is the top of all its excellency, it can know GOD, who is infinite, who made all these; a little here, and much more hereafter. O the wisdom and goodness of our blessed LORD! he hath created the understanding with a natural bias to truth, and its object; and to the prime truth as its prime object: and lest we should turn aside to any creature, he hath kept this as his own divine prerogative, not communicable to any creature, viz. to be the prime truth.