The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

This is the principal Duty of Angels and Men to the blessed Creator for his admirable Perfections, and his excellent Benefits. The Evidence of it is so entire, that the reasonable Mind cannot suspend its Assent: for Goodness and Beauty, the Fruit and the Flower of amiable Things, do so recommend them to the Understanding and Will, that they powerfully allure and engage the Affections. Now these are in God in unspeakable degrees of Eminence. The Prophet breaks out in a rapture, How great is his Goodness, how great is his Beauty!

'Twas a Precept of the Ceremonial Law, that the Firstlings of the Flock, and the first and best Fruits of the Earth should be offered to God; not as if the first that opened the Belly was more valuable in his Account than the last, or the most early Fruits in the Spring more pleasing to him than the later in the Autumn; but 'twas instructive, that our Love, the first born ⟨p. 302⟩of the Soul, and the beginning of its strength, should be consecrated to God.

'Twas a Precept of the Ceremonial Law, that the Firstlings of the Flock, and the first and best Fruits of the Earth should be offer'd to God; not as if the first that open'd the Belly was more valuable in his Account than the last, or the most early Fruits in the Spring more pleasing to him than the later in the Autumn; but 'twas instructive, that our Love, the first born ⟨p. 302⟩of the Soul, and the beginning of its strength, should be consecrated to God.

2. In Heaven the Saints as perfectly love God as they know him. The Love of God is the Essential Character of a Saint, that distinguishes him from the Unregenerate. Indeed, it is strange that God, who is infinitely lovely, and infinitely liberal and beneficent, should not prevail on the Hearts of all Men; but if we consider the degeneracy of Mankind, how their Minds are depraved and deceived, and their Affections are vitiated, the Wonder will cease. Carnal Men have not due Conceptions of God, and will not attentively observe his amiable Perfections. St. John tells us, He that loveth not, doth not know God. Knowledge is the leading Principle in the Operations of the Soul. There must be a heavenly Eye to discover the heavenly Beauty, before there can be love of it. Now Men are in ignorant darkness, and are defiled in Flesh and Spirit, and therefore cannot love God who is glorious in Holiness. Without resemblance there can be no affectionate Union, which is the Essence of Love. The contrariety