But (still as the man is, so is his strength) 'tis an incomparably greater strength that attends the heaven-born man. This man born ⟨p. 120⟩of God, begotten of God after his own likeness. This Hero, this Son of God, was born to Conflicts, to Victories, to Triumphs. While he is yet but in his growing age, he overcomes the world: (as Hercules the Serpents in his Cradle) overcomes the wicked one, and is at last more than Conqueror. A mighty power attends godliness, a Spirit of power, and of a sound mind: but how much this divine creature grows, so much the more like God, and being perfect, Conflicts cease: (he had overcome, and won the Crown before.) And now all his strength runs out into acts of pleasure. Now, when he shall go forth in his might to love God (as we are required to love him now with all our might) and every act of praise shall be an act of power; done with a fullness of strength (as 'tis said their praises at the bringing home of the Ark, were with all their might) O! what will the pleasure be that shall accompany this state of perfection. Perfect power, and perfect pleasure are here met, and shall for ever dwell together, and be always commensurate to one another. They are so here, in their imperfect state; our feeble, spiritless duties, weak, dead prayers, they have no more sweetness than strength; no more pleasure, than power in them. Therefore we are listless, and have no mind to duties, as we find we are more frequently destitute of a spiritual liveliness and vigour therein. When a spirit of might, and power goes on with us in the won• •d course of our converses with God; we then ⟨p. 121⟩forecast opportunities, and gladly welcome the season; when it extraordinarily occurs, of drawing nigh to him. It cannot be thought that the connection and proportion between these should fail in glory, or that when every thing else is perfect:1 The blessed Soul it self made perfect, even as God himself is perfect (this bearing his likeness) should be unlike him in bliss; or its satisfaction be imperfect.
But (still as the man is, so is his strength) 'tis an incomparably greater strength that attends the heaven-born man. This man born ⟨p. 120⟩of God, begotten of God after his own likeness. This Hero, this Son of God, was born to Conflicts, to Victories, to Triumphs. While he is yet but in his growing age, he overcomes the world: (as Hercules the Serpents in his Cradle) overcomes the wicked one, and is at last more than Conquerour. A mighty power attends godliness, a Spirit of power, and of a sound mind: but how much this divine creature grows, so much the more like God, and being perfect, Conflicts cease: (he had overcome, and won the Crown before.) And now all his strength runs out into acts of pleasure. Now, when he shall go forth in his might to love God (as we are required to love him now with all our might) and every act of praise shall be an act of power; done with a fulness of strength (as 'tis said their praises at the bringing home of the Ark, were with all their might) O! what will the pleasure be that shall accompany this state of perfection. Perfect power, and perfect pleasure are here met, and shall for ever dwell together, and be alwayes commensurate to one another. They are so here, in their imperfect state; our feeble, spiritless duties, weak, dead prayers, they have no more sweetness than strength; no more pleasure, than power in them. Therefore we are listless, and have no mind to duties, as we find we are more frequently destitute of a spiritual livelyness and vigour therein. When a spirit of might, and power goes on with us in the won• •d course of our converses with God; we then ⟨p. 121⟩forecast opportunities, and gladly welcome the season; when it extraordinarily occurs, of drawing nigh to him. It cannot be thought that the connexion and proportion between these should fail in glory, or that when every thing else is perfect:1 The blessed Soul it self made perfect, even as God himself is perfect (this bearing his likeness) should be unlike him in bliss; or its satisfaction be imperfect.
- 1Matth. 5.