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

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 Thy word is very pure (saith the Psalmist) therefore thy servant loveth it. Under this notion do holy ones take pleasure each in other, because they see somewhat of the divine likeness, their Fathers image, in one another; will it not be much more pleasing to find it each one perfect in himself? to feel the ease, and peace, and rest, that naturally goes with it. A man that hath any love of cleanliness, if casually plunged into the mire, he knows not what to do with himself; he fancies his own clothes to abhor him (as Job rhetorically speaks) so doth as natural a pleasure attend p•rity:² It hath it even in it self. The words of the pure (saith the Wise-man) are pleasant words, ³(words of pleasantnesses it might be read.) That pure breath that goes from him, i• not without a certain pleasurableness accompanying ⟨p. 137⟩it. And if so to another, much more to himself, especially when every thing corresponds; and (as the expression is) he finds himself clear throughout.

It is however out of question, that the purity of heaven will infinitely inhance 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 intrinsecal evil of sn 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.