advanced to familiarity with those that are above them. But what is it to
pride ourselves in these things when we are altogether, higher and lower,
at one view, as grasshoppers in his sight? Therefore, man being in honour,
and understanding not wherein his true honour and dignity consists, he
associates himself to beasts. Only the soul that is aspiring to this
communion with God, is extracted out of the dregs of beastly mankind, and
is elevated above mankind, and associated to blessed apostles, and holy
angels, and spirits made perfect. And that were but little, though it be
an honour above regal or imperial dignities, but it is infinitely
heightened by this,--that their association is with God, the blessed and
holy Trinity.

Now herein consists man's happiness too, for the soul being enlarged in
its capacity and appetite far beyond all visible things, it is never fully
satiated, or put to rest and quiet, till it be possessed with the chiefest
and most universal good, that is, God. And then all the motions of desire
cease. Then the soul rests from its labours. Then there is a peace and
eternal rest proclaimed in the desires of the soul. "Return unto thy rest,
O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee," Psal. cxvi. 7.
O what a poor short requiem do men sing to their own hearts from other
enjoyments! Oftentimes men's hearts, whether dreaming or waking, speak in
this manner, Soul, take thy rest, but how ill grounded is that peace, and
how false a rest, daily experience in part witnesseth, and the last day
will fully declare. But O how much better and wiser were it for you to
seek the favour and light of his countenance upon you, and to be united to
him who is the Fountain of life, so ye might truly, without hazard of such
a sad reprehension as that fool got, or grievous disappointment, say,
Soul, take thy rest in God!

Man was advanced to this dignity and happiness, but he kept not his
station, for the great dragon falling down from that pinnacle of honour he
had in heaven, drew down with him the third part of the stars of heaven,
and cast them to the earth, and thus man, who was in honour, is now
associated with, and made like to, beasts or devils. He is a stranger to
God from the womb, all the imaginations of his heart tend to distance from
God. He is exiled and banished from God's presence, the type whereof was
his being driven out of the garden. And yet he is not long out, nor far
away, when the infinite