106 THIRD SERMON blind and ignorantly, like the arrow which flies to- ward the mark, but understandeth not its own motion, being directed thither by an understanding without and above itself. And thus when every thing by the natural weight and inclination of its own form moveth to the place where it may be preserved, or draweth to it those further degrees of perfection whereby it may be improved, and have more of being communicated to it, it may truly be said to praise the Lord, in that it obeyeth the law which he planted in it, and it is by his wise providence carried back towards him, to de- rive its conservation and perfection from the same fountain from whence its being did proceed. But now reasonable creatures being by God enriched with internal knowledge, and that knowledge in his church exceedingly raised by his manifestation of himself as their uttermost blessedness in the word unto them ; he therefore requires that we should work actively, and with intention of the end for which he made us, guiding all our aims and inclinations towards his glory by that internal knowledge of his excellency which he hath planted in us, and revealed to us. And indeed all other creatures are in this sense said to glorify God, because the infinite power, wisdom, good- ness and perfection of God which are in their beings and workings so notably relucent,* do become the object of reasonable creatures, to contemplate upon, and by that means draw forth admiration and adora- tion of him. By the consideration of God's goodness. He de- serves it at our hands. He gives more to us than we are able to render unto him. The sun shines on the moon with his own glorious light, the moon returns but a faint and spotted light upon the world. We * Shining, splendid.
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