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

1. 'Tis a vital image, not the image only of him that lives; the living God; but it is his living and soul quickening image. 'Tis the likeness of him, in that very respect, an imitation, and participation of the life of God, by which, once revived, the soul lives that was dead before. 'Tis not a dead picture, a dumb show, an unmoving Statue; but a living, speaking, walking image; that wherewith the Child is ⟨p. 113⟩like the Father: the very life of the subject where it is, and by which it lives as God, speaks and acts conformably to him. An image, not such a one as is drawn with a Pencil,¹ that expresses only colour, and figure, but such a one as is seen in a Glass, that represents life, and motion (as was noted from a worthy Author before.) 'Tis even (in its first and more imperfect draught) an analogical participation (as we must understand it) of the divine nature,² before which first tincture, those preludious touches of it upon the Spirit of man: his former state is spoken of as an alienation from the life of God; ³as having no interest, no communion therein. The putting on of the new man, which after God is created in righteousness, ⁴and true holiness, is presently mentioned, in direct opposition to that dismal state; implying that, to be a participation of the divine life. And certainly so far as it is so, 'tis a participation of the divine blessedness too.

1. 'Tis a vital image, not the image only of him that lives; the living God; but it is his living and soul quickning image. 'Tis the likeness of him, in that very respect, an imitation, and participation of the life of God, by which, once revived, the soul lives that was dead before. 'Tis not a dead picture, a dumb shew, an unmoving Statue; but a living, speaking, walking image; that wherewith the Child is ⟨p. 113⟩like the Father: the very life of the subject where it is, and by which it lives as God, speaks and acts comformably to him. An image, not such a one as is drawn with a Pencil,