236 CONTEMPLATION ASSISTED [Chap. 15. for fear of punishment; yea, so much valued was this moral virtue, that they thought man's chief happiness consisted in it ! Think, then, " What excellency will there be in our heavenly perfection, and in that untreated perfection of God which we shall behold ! What sweetness is there in the ex- ercise of natural love, whether to children, parents, yoke- fellows, or intimate friends ! Does David say of Jonathan, "Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women?' Did ' the soul of Jonathan cleave to David V Had Christ himself one ' disciple whom he especially loved, and whowas wont to lean on his breast.?' If, then, the delights of close and cordial friendship be sogreat, what delight shall we have in the friendship of the Most High, and in our mutual inti- macy with Jesus Christ, and in the dearest love of the saints ! Surely this will be a stricter friendship than these, more lovely and desirable friends than ever the sun beheld ; and both our affections to our Father and Savior, and especially theirs to us, will be such as we never knew here. If one an- gel could destroy a host, the affections of spirits must also be proportionably stronger, so that we shall then love a thousand times more ardently than we can now. As all the attributes and works of God are incomprehensible, so is this of love : he will love us infinitely beyond our most perfect love to Him. What, then, will there be in this mutual love !" Compare also the excellencies of heaven with those glo- rious works of creation which our eyes now behold. What wisdom, power, and goodness, are manifested therein ! How does the majesty of the Creator shine in this fabric of the world ! " His works are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." What divine skill in forming the bodies of men or beasts ! What excellency in every plant ! What beauty in flowers ! What variety and usefulness in herbs, plants, fruits, and minerals ! What wonders are con- i .fined in the earth and its inhabitants ; the ocean of waters, with its motions and dimensions ; and the constant succes- sion of spring and autumn, of summer and winter ! Think, then, "If these things, which are but servants to sinful man, are so full of mysterious worth, what is that place where God himself dwells, and which is prepared for just men made perfect with Christ! What glory is there in the least of yonder stars ! What a vast resplendent body is yonder moon, and every planet ! What an inconceivable glory bath
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