The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

'Tis therefore any mans concernment, herein rather to satisfy himself, then the world. And the world rather to understand the design of the work then the Author: and whither it tends, rather then whereto he meant it.

'Tis therefore any mans concernment, herein rather to satisfie himself, then the world. And the world rather to understand the design of the work then the Author: and whither it tends, rather then whereto he meant it.

And 'tis obvious enough to what good purposes discourses of this nature may serve. This is, in the design of it, wholly practical; Hath little or nothing to do with disputation. If there be any whose business it is to promote a private, divided interest; or who place the sum of their Religion in an inconsiderable, and doubtful opinion: It doth not unhallow their altars, nor offer any to affront their idol. It intends n• quarrel to any contending, angry party. But deals upon things in the substance whereof, Christians are at a professed agreement. And hath therefore the greater probability of do••g go•d to some, without the offence of any.

'Tis indeed equally matter of complaint and wonder, that men can find so much leisure to direct from such things, wherein there is so much both of importance and pleasure unto, what one would think should have little of temptation or allurement in it, contentions jangling. It might rather be thought, its visible fruits and tendencies should render it the most dreadful thing to every serious beholder. What Tragedies hath it wrought in the Christian Church! Into how weak and languishing a condition hath it brought the Religion of professed Christians? Hence have risen the intemperate preternatural heats and angers that have spent its strength and spirits; and make it look with so Meagre and Pale a face. We have had a greater mind to dispute then live; and to contend about what we know not, then to practice the far greater things we know: and which more directly tend to nourish and maintain the Divine Life. The Author of that ingenious sentence