Chap. XXXII - Of Gratitude

Summary

Of Gratitude. It feeds upon Benefits, and in height and fervour answerable to their Greatness. It is impossible to be grateful to GOD without it. A hint of the glorious Consequences of so doing.

WHAT GOD has made us able to do by way of Gratitude, you must see in the Chapter of Magnificence. The Love wherewith all these things ought to be done, shall be so great in the estate of Perfection, our Charity and Wisdom so directly intend all Angels and Men, and especially GOD above all blessed for ever, our Gratitude and Goodness make us so zealous for their satisfaction, that no pleasure in the whole World shall be comparable to that of being Delightful to them. To receive all is sweet, but to communicate all (adorned thus within the sphere of our own lives) is infinitely beyond all that can be sweet in the reception, both for our glory and satisfaction. There is ever upon us some pressing want in this World, and will be till we are infinitely satisfied with varieties and degrees of Glory. Of that which we feel at present we are sensible: when that want is satisfied and removed, another appeareth, of which before we were not aware. Till we are satisfied we are so clamorous and greedy, as if there were no pleasure but in receiving all: When we have it we are so full, that we know not what to do with it, we are in danger of bursting, till we can communicate all to some fit and amiable Recipient, and more delight in the Communication than we did in the Reception. This is the foundation of real Gratitude, and the bottom of all that Goodness which is seated in the bent and inclination of Nature. It is a Principle so strong, that Fire does not burn with more certain violence, than Nature study to use all, when it hath gotten it, and to improve its Treasures to the acquisition of its Glory.