Wesley Corpus

(Preached in America.) What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter. John, xiii. 7. One of the earliest principles in the soul of man is a desire of knowledge. This often ac quires considerable strength before reason has shaken off its infant weakness. Indeed it is this which insensibly leads us on to improve and perfect our reason, which by the present satisfaction it affords encourages us to seek, and renders us capable of receiving instruction. So long as this is restricted within proper bounds, and directed to proper objects, there is not in the mind of man a more delightful or more useful inclination ; the pleasures it yields are without number ; the field of know ledge hath no end ; and in almost every part of it springs up some plant not only gratifying to the eye and cheering to the heart, but use ful to the life. The desire of knowledge is a means of attaining to the true wisdom, a means to enlighten the conscience and enlarge the capacity, to lead us to see the all-wise, the all-merciful God in each even of these his lower works. It is true that this source of lasting pleasure may by accident give us much pain, if our desires fix on improper objects on any of those parts of knowledge which, as they were not designed for man in this lower station, cannot be obtained by him till his removal into another ; or if his desire even of know ing his Creator extend beyond the limits of his capability. He who employs his search even on the ways of the Almighty, and will not be contented till he has found them out to perfection, will not be satisfied on this side of the grave. For what human soul, clogged with this tabernacle of clay, can find out the Eternal to perfection ? No, we must believe