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

1. If we consider this impression of glory in reference to its former loathsome deformities that ⟨p. 149⟩were upon it; and which are now vanished and gone. How unconceivable a pleasure will arise from this comparison? when the soul shall consider at once what it is, and what once it was, and thus bethink it self. I that did sometimes bear the accursed image of the Prince of darkness, do now represent and partake of the holy pure nature of the Father of lights. I was a mere Chaos, an hideous heap of Deformity,¹ Confusion and Darkness; But he that made light to shine out of darkness, shined into me to give the knowledge of the light of his own glory in the face of Jesus Christ, and since, made my way as the shining light shining brighter and brighter unto this perfect day. ²I was an habitation of Dragons, a Cage of noisome lusts; that as Serpents, and Vipers were winding to and fro through all my faculties and powers; and preying upon my very vitals. Then was I hateful to God, and an hater of him; sin, and vanity had all my heart. The charming invitations, and allurements of grace were as music to a dead man; to think a serious thought of God, or breath forth an affectionate desire after him, was as much against my heart, as to pluck out mine own eyes, or offer violence to mine own life.

1. If we consider this impression of glory in reference to its former loaths•me deformities that ⟨p. 149⟩were upon it; and which are now vanished and gone. How unconceivable a pleasure will arise from this comparison? when the soul shall consider at once what it is, and what once it was, and thus bethink it self. I that did sometimes bear the accursed image of the Prince of darkness, do now represent and partake of the holy pure nature of the Father of lights. I was a meer Chaos, an hideous heap of Deformity,¹ Confusion and Darkness; But he that made light to shine out of darkness, shined into me to give the knowledge of the light of his own glory in the face of Jesus Christ, and since, made my way as the shining light shining brighter and brighter unto this perfect day.