A44666:263
The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /
The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 / by John Howe ...The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 / by John Howe ...
printed by Sarah Griffin for Samuel Thomson, 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But when now our eye shall take in the discovery of divine glory equally; how sweet, and satisfying a pleasure will arise from that grateful mixture of reverent love, humble joy, modest confidence, meek courage, a prostrate magnanimity, a triumphant veneration, a soul shrinking before the divine glory into nothing; yet not contenting it self with any less enjoyment, than of him who is all in all.
There's nothing here in this complexion, or ⟨p. 102⟩temper of Soul, but hath its warrant, in the various aspect of the face of God comprehensively beheld, nothing but what is (even by its suitableness) highly grateful, and pleasing.
3. 'Twill be fixed, steady intuition (as its object is permanent glory.) The vision of God can neither infer, nor admit weariness. The eye cannot divert, its act is eternally delectable, and affords an unvariable, undecaying pleasure. Sensual delights soon end in loathing; quickly bring a glutting surfeit, and degenerate into torments,* when they are continued & unintermittent. A Philosopher in an Epistle which he writes to a friend, from the Court of Dionysius, where he was forcibly detained, thus bemoans himself, We are unhappy O Antisthenes, beyond measure, and how can we but be unhappy that are burdened by the Tyrant every day with the most sumptuous feasts, plentiful compotations, precious ointments, gorgeous apparel, and I knew as soon as I came into this Island and City, how unhappy my life would be. This is the nature and common condition of even the most pleasing sensible objects. They first tempt, then please a little, then disappoint, and lastly vex. The eye that beholds them blast's them, quickly rifles and delowers their glory; and views them with no more delight at first, than disdain afterwards. Creature enjoyments have a bottom, are soon drained & drawn dry: hence there must be frequent diversions; Other pleasures must be sought out;