to employ our attention wholly upon Him as upon an object actually
present, to yield ourselves up to the influence of the Divine
presence, and to give full scope to the affections of gratitude,
love, reverence, trust, and dependence; of which infinite power,
wisdom, and goodness is the natural and only adequate object. We
may apply to the whole of devotion those words of the Son of Sirach,
When you glorify the Lord, exalt Him as much as you can; for even
yet will He far exceed: and when you exalt Him, put forth all your
strength, and be not weary; for you can never go far enough. {32}
Our most raised affections of every kind cannot but fall short and
be disproportionate when an infinite being is the object of them.
This is the highest exercise and employment of mind that a creature
is capable of. As this divine service and worship is itself
absolutely due to God, so also is it necessary in order to a further
end, to keep alive upon our minds a sense of His authority, a sense
that in our ordinary behaviour amongst men we act under him as our
Governor and Judge.

Thus you see the temper of mind respecting God which is particularly
suitable to a state of imperfection, to creatures in a progress of
being towards somewhat further.

Suppose now this something further attained, that we were arrived at
it, what a perception will it be to see and know and feel that our
trust was not vain, our dependence not groundless? That the issue,
event, and consummation came out such as fully to justify and answer
that resignation? If the obscure view of the divine perfection
which we have in this world ought in just consequence to beget an
entire resignation, what will this resignation be exalted into when
WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE, AND KNOW AS WE ARE KNOWN? If we cannot