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

Thus far have we shown the qualification for this blessedness, and the nature of it, What it ⟨p. 161⟩prerequires, and wherein it lies, and how highly congruous it is that the former of these should be made a prerequisite to the latter, will sufficiently appear to any one, that shall, in his own thoughts, compare this righteousness and this blessedness together. He will indeed plainly see, that the natural state of the case, and habitude of these each to other, makes this connection unalterable, and eternal; so as that it must needs be simply impossible to be thus blessed, without being thus righteous.

Thus far have we shewn the qualification for this blessedness, and the nature of it, What it ⟨p. 161⟩prerequires, and wherein it lyes, and how highly congruous it is that the former of these should be made a prerequisite to the latter, will sufficiently appear to any one, that shall, in his own thoughts, compare this righteousness and this blessedness together. He will indeed plainly see, that the natural state of the case, and habitude of these each to other, makes this connexion unalterable, and eternal; so as that it must needs be simply impossible to be thus blessed, without being thus righteous.

For what is this righteousness other than this blessedness begun, the seed and principle of it? And that with as exact proportion (or rather sameness of Nature) as is between the grain sown, and reaped, which is more than intimated in that of the Apostle,¹ Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap: For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: (there is the same proportion too) but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit, reap life everlasting: Which though it be spoken to a particular case, is yet spoken from a general rule and reason applicable a great deal further.