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

The Object hath quite another aspect upon a wicked soul, when it awakes, and the act of seeing is of another kind; therefore no such effect follows: besides the subject is otherwise disposed, and therefore as the Sun enlightens not the inward parts of an impervious dung-hill, but it enlightens air, so the sight of God transforms and assimilates at last, not a wicked, but it doth a godly soul. That which here makes the greatest difference in the temper of the subject is Love. I look upon the face of a stranger, and it moves me not, but upon a friend, and his face presently transforms mine into a lively, cheerful aspect.¹ (As iron sharpens iron, so doth the face of a man his friend) puts a sharpness and a quickness into his looks. The soul that loves God opens it self to him, admits his influences and impressions, is easily moulded, and wrought to his will; yields to the transforming power of his appearing glory: There is no resistent principle remaining, when the love of God is perfected in it, and so overcoming is the first sight of his glory upon the awaking soul, that it perfects it, and so his likeness both at once.

The Object hath quite another aspect upon a wicked soul, when it awakes, and the act of seeing is of another kind; therefore no such effect follows: besides the subject is otherwise disposed, and therefore as the Sun inlightens not the inward parts of an impervious dung-hill, but it inlightens air, so the sight of God transforms and assimilates at last, not a wicked, but it doth a godly soul. That which here makes the greatest difference in the temper of the subject is Love. I look upon the face of a stranger, and it moves me not, but upon a friend, and his face presently transforms mine into a lively, cheerful aspect.¹ (As iron sharpens iron, so doth the face of a man his friend) puts a sharpness and a quickness into his looks. The soul that loves God opens it self to him, admits his influences and impressions, is easily moulded, and wrought to his will; yeilds to the transforming power of his appearing glory: There is no resistent principle remaining, when the love of God is perfected in it, and so overcoming is the first sight of his glory upon the awaking soul, that it perfects it, and so his likenesse both at once.

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