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

'Tis certainly no improbable thing, but that reason, being now so fully rectified, and undeceived, visors torn off, and things now appearing in their own likeness; so much will be seen, and apprehended of the intrinsic evil and malignity of their vitiated natures, as will serve for the matter of further torment; while yet such a sight can do no more to a change of their temper than the Devils faith doth to theirs; Such sights, being accompanied with their no hope of ever attaining a better ⟨p. 136⟩state, do therefore no way tend to mollify, or demulce their Spirits, but to increase their rage and torment.

'Tis certainly no improbable thing, but that reason, being now so fully rectified, and undeceived, vizors torn off, and things now appearing in their own likeness; so much will be seen, and apprehended of the intrinsique evil and malignity of their viliated natures, as will serve for the matter of further torment; while yet such a sight can do no more to a change of their temper than the Devils faith doth to theirs; Such sights, being accompanied with their no hope of ever attaining a better ⟨p. 136⟩state, do therefore no way tend to mollifie, or demulce their Spirits, but to increase their rage and torment.

It is however out of question, that the purity of heaven will infinitely enhance the pleasure of it; For 'tis more certain the intrinsical goodness of holiness (which term I need not among these instances, in as much as the thing admits not of one entire notion, but lies partly under this head, partly under the second, that of devotedness to God) will be fully understood in Heaven, than the intrinsical evil of s•n in Hell: And when it is understood, will it not affect? will it not please? Even here, how pleasing are things to the pure (but in degree so) that participate of the divine purity.¹