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

1. First, It may be considered, what relation there may be between vision of God, and assimilation, or being made like to him; and it must be acknowledged (according to what is commonly observed of the mutual action of the understanding and will) that the sight of God, and likeness to him, do mutually contribute, each towards other. The sight of God assimilates, makes the soul like unto him; that likeness more disposes it for a continued renewed vision. It could never have attained the beatifical vision of God, had it not been prepared thereto by a gradual previous likeness to him^*. For righteousness (which we have shown qualifies for this blessedness) consists in a likeness to God; and it could never have been so prepared, had not some knowledge of God introduced that conformity and yielding bent of heart towards him. For the entire frame of the new man, ^†made after the image of God, is renewed in knowledge.

1. First, It may be considered, what relation there may be between vision of God, and assimilation, or being made like to him; and it must be acknowledged (according to what is commonly observed of the mutual action of the understanding and will) that the sight of God, and likeness to him, do mutually contribute, each towards other. The sight of God assimilates, makes the soul like unto him; that likeness more disposes it for a continued renewed vision. It could never have attained the beatifical vision of God, had it not been prepared thereto by a gradual previous likeness to him^*. For righteousness (which we have shewn qualifies for this blessedness) consists in a likeness to God; and it could never have been so prepared, had not some knowledge of God introduced that conformity and yielding bent of heart towards him. For the entire frame of the new man, ^†made after the image of God, is renewed in knowledge.

1. *Which necessity of a likeness to God to dispose •or the vi•••n of him, is excellently expressed by a […] Philosopher. The divine nature, the [Greek or Hebrew], which he saith is liae to no sense, ([Greek or Hebrew], &c.) is yet visible to that in the soul which is most beautiful, most pure, most perspicacious, most sublime, most noble, in respect of a certain similitude and cognation that is between them. Max. T.