a thousand leagues the
fragrance of God, and would perceive the resplendent morn of a divine
Guidance rising above the dayspring of all things. Each and every thing,
however small, would be to him a revelation, leading him to his Beloved,
the Object of his quest. So great shall be the discernment of this seeker
that he will discriminate between truth and falsehood even as he doth
distinguish the sun from shadow. If in the uttermost corners of the East
the sweet savours of God be wafted, he will assuredly recognize and inhale
their fragrance, even though he be dwelling in the uttermost ends of the
West. He will likewise clearly distinguish all the signs of God--His
wondrous utterances, His great works, and mighty deeds--from the doings,
words and ways of men, even as the jeweller who knoweth the gem from the
stone, or the man who distinguisheth the spring from autumn and heat from
cold. When the channel of the human soul is cleansed of all worldly and
impeding attachments, it will unfailingly perceive the breath of the
Beloved across immeasurable distances, and will, led by its perfume,
attain and enter the City of Certitude. Therein he will discern the
wonders of His ancient wisdom, and will perceive all the hidden teachings
from the rustling leaves of the Tree--which flourisheth in that City. With
both his inner and his outer ear he will hear from its dust the hymns of
glory and praise ascending unto the Lord of Lords, and with his inner eye
will he discover the mysteries of "return" and "revival." How unspeakably
glorious are the signs, the tokens, the revelations, and splendours which
He Who is the King of names and attributes hath destined for that City!
The attainment of this City quencheth thirst without water, and kindleth
the love of God without fire. Within every blade of grass are enshrined
the mysteries of an inscrutable wisdom, and upon every rose-bush a myriad
nightingales pour out, in blissful rapture, their melody. Its wondrous
tulips unfold the mystery of the undying Fire in the Burning Bush, and its
sweet savours of holiness breathe the perfume of the Messianic Spirit. It
bestoweth wealth without gold, and conferreth immortality without death.
In every leaf ineffable delights are treasured, and within every chamber
unnumbered mysteries lie hidden.

They that valiantly labour in quest of God's will, when once they have
renounced all else but Him, will be so attached and wedded to that City
that a moment's