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

Holy souls begin, herein, to imitate him; as soon as they first give themselves up to his wise and gracious conduct. 'Tis enough that he is wise for himself and them. Their hearts safely trust in him. They commit themselves with unsolicitous confidence, to his guidance, knowing he cannot himself be mis-led, and that he will not mis-lead them. As Abraham followed him, not knowing whether he went: and thus by faith, they enter into his rest.

Holy souls begin, herein, to imitate him; as soon as they first give themselves up to his wise and gracious conduct. 'Tis enough that he is wise for himself and them. Their hearts safely trust in him. They commit themselves with unsollicitous confidence, to his guidance, knowing he cannot himself be mis-led, and that he will not mis-lead them. As Abraham folled him, not knowing whether he went: and thus by faith, they enter into his rest.

They do, now, in their present state, only enter into it; or hover about the borders. Their future assimilation to God in this; gives them a stated settlement of Spirit in this rest. They before did owe their tranquillity to their faith, now to their actual fruition. Their former acquiescence, and sedate temper was hence, that they believed God would deal well with them at last; their present, for that he hath done so. Those words have now their fullest sense (both as to the rest it self, which they mention; and the season of it) Return to thy rest, ¹O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. The occasions of trouble, and a ⟨p. 144⟩passive temper of Spirit, are ceased together. There is now no fear without, nor terror within. The rage of the world is now allayed, it storms no longer. Reproach and persecution have found a period. There is no more dragging before Tribunals, nor haling into Prisons; no more running into dens, and deserts; or wandering to and fro in Sheep-skins, and Goat-skins. And with the cessation of the external occasions of trouble, the inward dispositions thereto are also ceased: All infirmities of Spirit, tumultuating passions, unmortified corruptions, doubts, or imperfect knowledge of the love of God, are altogether vanished and done away for ever.