_Direct._ VII. Know thyself well as thou art the work of God, and in thyself thou wilt find abundant matter for thy meditations. There thou hast the natural image of God to meditate on and admire; even the noble faculties of thy understanding and free will, and executive power. And thou hast his moral or spiritual image to meditate on, if thou be not unregenerate: even thy holy wisdom, will, and power, or thy holy light, and love, and power with promptitude for holy practice; and all in the unity of holy life.[304] And there thou hast his relative image to meditate on; even thy being, 1. The lord or owner. 2. The ruler. 3. The benefactor to the inferior creatures, and their end. Oh the world of mysteries which thou carriest continually about thee in that little room. What abundance of wonders are in thy body, which is fearfully and wonderfully made! And the greater wonders in thy soul. Thou art thyself the clearest glass that God is to be seen in under heaven, as thou art a man and a saint! And therefore the worthiest matter for thy own meditations (except that holy word, which is thy rule, and the holy church, which is but a coalition of many such). What a shame is it, that almost all men do live and die such strangers to themselves, as to be utterly unacquainted with the innumerable excellencies and mysteries, which God hath laid up in them; and yet to let their thoughts run out upon vanities and toys, and complain of their barrenness, and want of matter, to feed their better meditations.
[Sidenote: Our sins and wants.]