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

The dignity, then, of the Spirit of man is not to be estimated by the circumstances of its present state; as 'tis, here, clad with a sordid flesh, inwrapped in darkness, and gravelling in the dust of the earth; but consider the improvableness of its natural powers, and faculties; ⟨p. 194⟩the high perfections it may attain, and the foundations of how glorious a state are laid in its very nature. And then who can tell whether its possible advancement is more to be admired, or its present calamity deplored. Might this consideration be permitted to settle, and fix it self in the hearts of men; could any thing be so grievous to them, as their so vast distance from such an attainable blessedness: or any thing so industriously avoided so earnestly abhorred, as that viler dejection and abasement of themselves, when they are so low already by Divine disposition, to descend lower by their own wickedness; When they are already fallen as low as Earth, to precipitate themselves as low as Hell. How generous a disdain should that thought raise in mens spirits, of that vile servitude to which they have subjected themselves, a servitude to brutal lusts, to sensual inclinations, and desires; as if the highest happiness they did project to themselves were the satisfaction of these! Would they not with an heroic scorn, turn away their eyes from beholding vanity, did they consider their own capacity of beholding the divine glory? could they satisfy themselves to become^* like the beasts that perish. did they think of being satisfied with the likeness of God. And who can conceive unto what degree this aggravates the sin of man, that he so little minds (as it will their misery, that shall fall short of) this blessedness! They had spirits capable of it. Consider thou sensual man whose happiness lies in Colours, and Tastes, ⟨p. 195⟩and Sounds (as the Moralist ingeniously speaks) that herdest thy self with brute creatures, and aimest no higher then they; as little lookest up, and art as much a stranger to the thoughts and desires of Heaven; thy Creation did not set thee so low; they are where they were; but thou art fallen from thy excellency. God did not make thee a brute Creature, but thou thy self. Thou hast yet a spirit about thee, that might understand its own originals, and alliance to the Father of Spirits; that hath a designation in its nature to higher converses, and employments.