God’s Vast Load of Mercies ““Where shall we begin to survey God’s vast load of mercies?  Were it no more, but that He hath given us a world to live in, a life to enjoy, air to breathe in, earth to tread on, fire to warm us, water to cool and cleanse us, clothes to cover us, food to nourish us, sleep to refresh us, houses to shelter us, variety of creatures to serve and delight us; here were a just load. But now, if we yet add to these, civility of breeding, dearness of friends, competency of estate, degrees of honour, honesty or dignity of vocation, favour of princes, success in employments, domestic comforts, outward peace, good reputation, preservation from dangers rescue from evils; the load is well mended.  If yet, ye shall come closer, and add due proportion of body, integrity of parts, perfection of senses, strength of nature, mediocrity of health, sufficiency of appetite vigour of digestion, wholesome temper of seasons, freedom from cares; this course must needs heighten it yet more.  If still ye shall add to these, the order, and power, and exercise of our inward faculties, enriched with wisdom, art learning, experience, expressed by a handsome elocution, and shall now lay all these together that concern estate, body ,mind; how can the axle tree of the soul but crack under the load of these favors?  But, if from what God hath done for us as men, we look to what He hath done for us as Christians; that He enlivened us by His Spirit, fed us by His word and sacraments, clothed us with his merits, bought us with His blood, becoming vile to make us glorious, a curse, to invest us with blessedness; in a word, that He hath given Himself to us, His Son for us: Oh the height, and depth, and breadth of the rich mercies of our God!”     -- Joseph Hall (1574-1656)