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the spiritual universe, we mean all that part of the creation of God, that is above or within matter:—including, consequently, heaven and the whole spiritual world, and also the mind of man; for the mind of man is a spiritual world in miniature, and, if good, is a heaven in miniature. Man, too, especially as to his mind, was made an image and likeness of God; and therefore, in contemplating man and his powers and affections, we may obtain a more distinct idea of the qualities of the Divine Creator, than by the examination of His inferior works. For, while in the latter we can see His image but dimly reflected, as it were, on account of the defects inherent in the material mirror,—in the former, a good and great man, we behold His very likeness, living and moving, though infinitely inferior indeed to the Divine Original. So, moreover, in contemplating, with the eye of reason and of faith, heaven and the spiritual world, we shall behold glories indefinitely transcending those of earth; for heaven is called God's "throne," and the earth His "footstool:"—if the footstool is beautiful, what should be the throne?

First, then, let us contemplate man, God's image. 3