ience, he was made to look upon himself in this deplorable
condition! _Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am
become a burden to myself?_ But _thirdly_, how happy is the condition of
that intellectual being, who is sensible of his Maker's presence from
the secret effects of his mercy and loving kindness!

11. The blessed in heaven behold him face to face, that is, are as
sensible of his presence as we are of the presence of any person whom we
look upon with our eyes. There is doubtless a faculty in spirits, by
which they apprehend one another, as our senses do material objects; and
there is no question but our souls, when they are disembodied, or placed
in glorified bodies, will by this faculty, in whatever space they
reside, be always sensible of the divine presence.

12. We who have this veil of flesh standing between us and the world of
spirits, must be content to know the spirit of God is present with us,
by the effects which he produceth in us. Our outward senses are too
gross to apprehend him; we may however taste and see how gracious he is,
by his influence upon our minds, by those virtuous thoughts which he
awakens in us, by those secret comforts and refreshments which he
conveys into our souls, and by those ravishing joys and inward
satisfactions which are perpetually springing up, and diffusing
themselves among all the thoughts of good men.

13. He is lodged in our very essence, and is as a soul within the soul
to irradiate its understanding, rectify its will, purify its passions,
and enliven all the powers of man. How happy therefore is an
intellectual being, who by prayer and meditation, by virtue and good
works, opens this communication between God and his own soul! Though the
whole creation frowns upon him, and all nature looks black about him, he
has his light and support within him, that are able to cheer his mind,
and bear him up in the midst of all those horrors which encompass him.

14. He knows that his helper is at hand, and is always nearer to him
than any thing else can be, which is capable of annoying or terrifying
him. In the midst of calumny or contempt, he attends to that Being who
whispers better things within his soul, and whom he looks upon as his
defender, his glory and the lifter up of his head. In his deepest
solitude and retirement, he knows that he is in company with the
greatest of beings: and perceives within himself such real sensations of
his presence, as are m