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CHAP. XXIII. Of the Admirable growth promised to the Saints.
ANd ye shal grow up as Calves of the stal.] Observe Christ was compared to one creature, the Christian to another, the gracious heart can read Christ and himselfe in every creature. When he sees the Sun he thinks on Christ; when the Sun Rising, he thinks of the Rising of Christ in the soul; when the Physician healing, of Christs heal∣ing; when the Bird with her wings cherish∣ing her brood, of Christs wings; and when he sees the Calves, or other creatures grow, he thinks how svveet a sight it vvere to see himselfe grow in grace. This is the con∣templative Divinity every spiritual and gra∣cious heart studieth and practiseth.
There is a threefold use to be made of the creatures.
1. A natural (which is the lowest) where∣in men and beasts, good and bad men share alike. We use the sun, and other creatures for food and Physick. This is a lawfull (but the lowest) use we should make of them, and in this we should remember God the Creator, Lord, and Donor of them, and * 1.1 when we have eaten and are full, praise his