Page 765
SECT. VII.* 1.1
5. COmpare also the Excellencies of heaven with those glori∣ous works of the Creation which our eyes do now behold: What a deal of wisdom, and power, and goodness appeareth in and through them to a wise Observer? What a deal of the Majesty of the great Creator doth shine in the face of this fabrick of the world?* 1.2 surely his Works are great and admirable, sought out of them that have pleasure therein:* 1.3 This makes the study of natural Philosophy so pleasant, because the Works of God are so excel∣lent: VVhat rare workmanship is in the body of a man? yea, in the body of every beast? which makes the Anatomical studies so delightful?* 1.4 what excellency in every Plant we see? in the beauty of Flowers? in the nature, diversity, and use of Herbs? in Fruits, in Roots, in Minerals, and what not? But especially if we look to the greater works: if we consider the whole body of this earth, and its creatures, and inhabitants; the Ocean of waters, with its motions and dimensions, the variation of the Seasons, and of the face of the earth; the entercourse of Spring and Fall, of Summer and Winter; what wonderful excellency do these con∣tain? Why, think then in thy Meditations, if these things which are but servants to sinful man, are yet so full of mysterious worth; what then is that place where God himself doth dwell? and is pre∣pared for the just who are perfected with Christ? VVhen thou walkest forth in the Evening, look upon the Stars, how they glissen, and in what numbers they bespangle the Firmament: If in the day time,* 1.5 look up to the glorious Sun; view the wide expanded encompassing heavens, and say to thy self, what glory is in the least of yonder Stars? what a vast, what a bright resplendent body hath yonder Moon, and every Planet? O what an unconceiveable glory hath the Sun? Why, all this is nothing to the glory of Hea∣ven; yonder Sun must there be laid aside as useless, for it would not be seen for the brightness of God: I shall live above all yonder glory, yonder is but darkness to the lustre of my Fathers House, I shall be as glorious as that Sun my self; yonder is but as the wall of the Pallace-yard; as the Poet ••aith,
If in Heavens outward Court such beauty be, What is the glory which the Saints do see?So think of the rest of the Creatures: This whole earth is but my