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

Thy words were found and I did eat them (saith the Prophet) and thy word was to me the joy, and rejoicing of my heart. Divine truth is only so far at present grateful, or useful for future, as 'tis received by faith and consideration, and in the love thereof into the very heart, and there turned (in succum & sanguinem) into real nutriment to the soul: So shall man live by the word of God. Hence is the application of ⟨p. 190⟩it (both personal and ministerial) of so great necessity.

Thy words were found and I did eat them (saith the Prophet) and thy word was to me the joy, and rejoycing of my heart. Divine truth is only so far at present grateful, or useful for future, as 'tis received by faith and consideration, and in the love thereof into the very heart, and there turned (in succum & sanguinem) into real nutriment to the soul: So shall man live by the word of God. Hence is the application of ⟨p. 190⟩it (both personal and ministerial) of so great necessity.

If the Truths of the Gospel were of the same alloy, with some parts of Philosophy, whose end is attained as soon as they are known▪ If the Scripture Doctrine (the whole entire System of it) were not a Doctrine after godliness, if it were not designed to sanctify and make men holy, or if the hearts of men did not reluctate, were easily receptive of its impressions, our work were as soon done, as such a Doctrine were nakedly proposed. But the state of the case in these respects is known and evident. The tenor and aspect of Gospel truth speaks its end; and experience too plainly speaks the oppositeness of mens Spirits. All (therefore) we read and hear is lost if it be not urgently applied. (The Lord grant it be not then too.)

If the Truths of the Gospel were of the same alloy, with some parts of Philosophy, whose end is attained as soon as they are known▪ If the Scripture Doctrine (the whole entire System of it) were not a Doctrine after godliness, if it were not designed to sanctifie and make men holy, or if the hearts of men did not reluctate, were easily receptive of its impressions, our work were as soon done, as such a Doctrine were nakedly proposed. But the state of the case in these respects is known and evident. The tenour and aspect of Gospel truth speaks its end; and experience too plainly speaks the oppositeness of mens Spirits. All (therefore) we read and hear is lost if it be not urgently apply'd. (The Lord grant it be not then too.)