was enlightened, feared not the wrath of the king, but chose rather to
suffer afflictions with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures
of sin for a season. He refused to be called the son of the king's
daughter; accounting it wonderful riches to be accounted worthy so
much as to suffer for Christ, with the poor, despised saints; and
that was because he saw him who is invisible, and had respect unto the
recompense of reward. And this is that which the apostle usually
prayeth for in his epistles for the saints, namely, That they might,
know what is the hope of God's calling, and the riches of the glory of
his inheritance in the saints; and that they might be able to
comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height, and know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge.

Pray therefore that God would enlighten thy understanding. That will
be a very great help unto thee. It will make thee endure many a hard
brunt for Christ; as Paul saith, "After you were illuminated, ye
endured a great fight of afflictions." You "took joyfully the spoiling
of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better
and an enduring substance." If there be ever such a rare jewel lying
just in a man's way, yet if he see it not he will rather trample upon
it than stoop for it, and it is because he sees it not. Why, so it is
here; though heaven be worth ever so much, and thou hast ever so much
need of it, yet if thou see it not, that is, have not thy
understanding opened or enlightened to see, thou wilt not regard at
all. Therefore cry to the Lord for enlightening grace, and say, 'Lord,
open my blind eyes; Lord, take the veil off my dark heart; show me the
things of the other world, and let me see the sweetness, glory, and
excellency of them, for Christ's sake.' This is the first thing. The
second is,