The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

Good Lord, what wouldst thou think of having the Author and Commander of the Earth and Ocean for thy portion? Couldst thou ascend up to the sky and fully perceive the beauty, glory, nature, and order of that heavenly host, how they march in rank and file, come forth when called in their several courses; know the time of their rising and setting; couldst thou know the Sun perfectly in his noon-day dress, and what influences those higher Orbs have on inferior bodies; what wouldst thou then give to enjoy him who gave them their beings, who appointeth them their motions, who knoweth the number of the stars, and who calleth them all by their names, for thy portion? But Oh! were it possible for thee to hold aside the veil and look into the holy of holies, to mount up to the highest heavens, and see the royal palace of this Great King, the stately Court which he there keeps, the noble entertainment which he there gives to his Friends and Children; Couldst thou know the satisfying joy, the ravishing delight, and the unconceivable pleasure which the spirits of just men made perfect have in his favour and fruition; Couldst thou see him as he is there visible (like a pure sweet light sparkling through a crystal-lantern) in the glorified Redeemer, and know him as thou art known of him; then, then, Reader, what wouldst thou think ⟨p. 154⟩of this God for a portion? what poor apprehensions wouldst thou have of that beggarly portion which thou now admirest? what dung, what dogs-meat would the world be to thee in comparison of this God? As Alexander, when he heard of the Indies, and the riches there, divided the Kingdom of Macedonia amongst his Captains; so thou wouldst leave the swine of the earth to wallow in the mire of brutish comforts, the foolish children of disobedience to paddle in the gutter of sensual waters: and wouldst desire that thy portion might be amongst Gods Children, and thy heritage amongst his chosen ones: Then, then, Friend, all thy love would be too little, and no labour too great (wouldst thou think) for such a peerless and inestimable portion. How willingly should the Ziba's of the world take all, so thy Lord and King would but come into thy soul in peace! How earnestly, how eagerly wouldst thou cry with Moses (after he had known somewhat of Canaan) O Lord God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness and thy mighty hand:

Good Lord, what wouldst thou think of having the Author and Commander of the Earth and Ocean for thy portion? Couldst thou ascend up to the skie and fully perceive the beauty, glory, nature, and order of that heavenly hoast, how they march in rank and file, come forth when called in their several courses; know the time of their rising and setting; couldst thou know the Sun perfectly in his noon-day dresse, and what influences those higher Orbes have on inferiour bodies; what wouldst thou then give to enjoy him who gave them their beings, who appointeth them their motions, who knoweth the number of the stars, and who calleth them all by their names, for thy portion? But Oh! were it possible for thee to hold aside the vail and look into the holy of holies, to mount up to the highest heavens, and see the royal pallace of this Great King, the stately Court which he there keeps, the noble entertainment which he there gives to his Friends and Children; Couldst thou know the satisfying joy, the ravishing delight, and the unconceivable pleasure which the spirits of just men made perfect have in his favour and fruition; Couldst thou see him as he is there visible (like a pure sweet light sparkling through a christal-lanthorn) in the glorified Redeemer, and know him as thou art known of him; then, then, Reader, what wouldst thou think