Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/187

 God will work his great works upon the earth; no, not even those which he hath in part revealed, by his servants and prophets, since the world began. Much less do they know, when God having ''accomplished the number of his elect will hasten his kingdom: when the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat''.

3. They know not the reasons even of many of his present dispensations with the sons of men: but are constrained to rest here, tho' ''clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat''. Yea, often with regard to his dealings with themselves doth their Lord say unto them, ''What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter''. And how little do they know, of what is ever before them, of even the visible works of his hands? How ''he spreadeth the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing''? How he unites all the parts of this vast machine by a secret chain which cannot be broken? So great is the ignorance, so very little the knowledge of even the best of men.

4. No one then is so perfect in this life, as to be free from ignorance. Nor, secondly, from mistake, which indeed is almost an unavoidable consequence of it; seeing those who know but in part, are ever liable to err, touching the things which they know not. 'Tis true, the children of God do not mistake, as to the