Page:The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart.pdf/305

Rh know nothing; neither what they have nor what they have not; neither what they do, nor what—though it were their duty—they do not, nor to what purpose they go hither and thither, can they conceive. Their learning is but on the surface, mere gaping from outside; to the innermost kernel, which is God's glory poured forth everywhere, they do not penetrate. But the Christian in everything that he sees, hears, touches, smells, tastes—sees, hears, touches, smells, tastes God; for he is certain in his mind that all this is clear truth, not vain fancy.

3. Then the light of faith gleams on him so brightly that he can already see and know, not only that which is before him, but also everything that is absent and invisible. In His work, God has truly revealed that which is on high, above the heavens, and in the abyss beneath the earth, as well as what was before the world, and what will be after it. The Christian, believing in this, has all this clearly before his eyes, though the world does not conceive it. The world will believe but in that which it sees, touches, holds in its hand. The Christian, on the other hand, is so wholly absorbed in invisible, absent, future things that those that are before him disgust him. The world ever demands proof; the Christian thinks the Word of God alone sufficient. The world seeks bonds, pledges, pawns, seals; the Christian sets up faith