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

First; that the holy Scriptures, in the forementioned §1and other like passages, do plainly hold forth the necessity of a real change, to be made in the inward temper, and dispositions of the soul; and not a relative only, respecting its state. This cannot be doubted by any, that acknowledge a real, inherent depravation, propagated in the nature of man. No, nor denied by them that grant such a corruption to be general, and continued among men; whether by imitation only, or what way soever. And willing I am, to meet men upon their own principles, and concessions, however erroneous, or short of the truth they may be, while they are yet improvable to their own advantage. Admit that regeneration, or the new birth includes a change of our relation and state God-ward; doth it therefore exclude an intrinsic subjective change of the inclinations and tendencies of the Soul? And if it did yet other terms, are more peculiarly, ⟨p. 208⟩appropriate to, and most expressly point out, this very change alone; As that of conversion, or of turning to God; of being renewed in the spirit of the mind; of putting off the old man that is corrupt by &c. and putting on the new man which is created in righteousness, and true holiness &c. of partaking the Divine nature; It matters not if this or that expression be understood, by some, more principally in another sense, the thing it self, of which we speak, is as clearly expressed, and as urgently pressed (as there was cause) as any other matter whatsoever throughout the whole Book of God. But men are slower of belief, as to the great Article of the Christian Doctrine, then to most (I might say, any) other. This Truth more directly assaults the strong holds of the Devil, in the hearts of men; and is of more immediate tendency to subvert his Kingdom; Therefore they are most unwilling to have it true, and most hardly believe it. Here they are so madly bold, as to give the lie to all Divine Revelations; and though they: are never so plainly told without holiness none shall see God, they will yet maintain the contrary belief, and hope; till, go ye cursed, vindicate the Truth of God, and the flames of Hell be their Eternal confutation. Lord! that so plain a thing will not enter into the hearts of men; that so urgent inculcations will not yet make them apprehend, that their Souls must be renewed, or perish!

First; that the holy Scriptures, in the forementioned §1