Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/186

 pears, first, that they are not perfect in knowledge: they are not so perfect in this life, as to be free from ignorance. They know, it may be in common with other men, many things relating to the present world; and they know, with regard to the world to come, the general truths which God hath revealed. They know likewise (what the natural man receiveth not: for these things are spiritually discerned) ''what manner of love it is, wherewith the Father hath loved them, that they should be called the sons of God'': they know the mighty working of his Spirit in their hearts, and the wisdom of his providence, directing all their paths, and causing all things to work together for their good. Yea, they know in every circumstance of life, what the Lord requireth of them, and how ''to keep a conscience void of offence both toward God and toward man''.

2. But innumerable are the things which they know not. ''Touching the Almighty himself, they cannot search him out to perfection. Lo, these are but a part of his ways; but the thunder of his power, who can understand?'' They cannot understand, I will not say, how ''there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one''; or how the eternal Son of God ''took upon himself the form of a servant'': but not any one attribute, not any one circumstance of the divine nature. Neither is it for them to know the times and seasons, when