Thirdly, That, in as much as this blessedness §3consists in the satisfactory sight, and participation of Gods own likeness, unto whom the soul is habitually averse, This change must chiefly stand in its becoming holy or godly, or in the alteration of its dispositions and inclinations, as to God. Otherwise the design, and end of it is not attained. We are required to follow peace with all men (but here the accent is put) and holiness, 1without which no man shall see God, Heb. 12. 14. 'Tis therefore a vain thing, in reference to what we have now under consideration, viz. the possibility of attaining this blessedness; to speak of any other changes that fall short of, or are of another kind from, the right disposition of heart Godward. This change, we are now considering, is no other then the proper adequate impress of the Gospel-discovery, upon mens spirits, (as we have largely shown the righteousness is, in which it terminates.) The sum of that discovery is▪ [That God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himself] The proper impress of it,2 therefore, is the actual reconciliation of the soul to God, through Christ; a friendly well affected posture of Spirit towards God our last end, and highest good; and towards Christ, our only way (since the Apostasy) of attaining and enjoying it. To rest therefore in any other good dispositions, or endowments of mind, is as much besides the business, as impertinent to the present purpose, as if ⟨p. 212⟩one designed to the Government of a City, should satisfy himself that he hath the skill to play well on a Lute; or he that intends Physic, that he is well seen in Architecture. The general Scope and Tenor of the Gospel tells thee, O man, plainly enough, what the business is thou must intend (if thou wilfully overlook it not) in order to thy blessedness. 'Tis written to draw thee into fellowship with the Father and the Son, that thy joy may be full. 3It aims at the bringing of thee into a state of blessedness in God through Christ; and is therefore the instrument by which God would form thy heart thereto. The seal by which to make the first impression of his image upon thee. Which will then as steadily incline, and determine thy soul towards him; as the magnetic touch ascertains the posture of the Needle; wherefore doth he, there discover his own heart; but to melt and win, and transform thine.
Thirdly, That, in as much as this blessedness §3consists in the satisfactory sight, and participation of Gods own likeness, unto whom the soul is habitually averse, This change must chiefly stand in its becoming holy or godly, or in the alteration of its dispositions and inclinations, as to God. Otherwise the design, and end of it is not attained. We are required to follow peace with all men (but here the accent is put) and holiness, 1without which no man shall see God, Heb. 12. 14. 'Tis therefore a vain thing, in reference to what we have now under consideration, viz. the possibility of attaining this blessedness; to speak of any other changes that fall short of, or are of another kind from, the right disposition of heart Godward. This change, we are now considering, is no other then the proper adequate impress of the Gospel-discovery, upon mens spirits, (as we have largely shewn the righteousness is, in which it terminates.) The sum of that discovery is▪ [That God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himself] The proper impress of it,2 therefore, is the actual reconciliation of the soul to God, through Christ; a friendly well affected posture of Spirit towards God our last end, and highest good; and towards Christ, our only way (since the Apostacy) of attaining and injoying it. To rest therefore in any other good dispositions, or indowments of mind, is as much besides the business, as impertinent to the present purpose, as if ⟨p. 212⟩one design'd to the Government of a City, should satisfie himself that he hath the skill to play well on a Lute; or he that intends Phisick, that he is well seen in Architecture. The general Scope and Tenor of the Gospel tells thee, O man, plainly enough, what the business is thou must intend (if thou wilfully overlook it not) in order to thy blessedness. 'Tis written to draw thee into fellowship with the Father and the Son, that thy joy may be full. 3It aimes at the bringing of thee into a state of blessedness in God through Christ; and is therefore the instrument by which God would forme thy heart thereto. The seal by which to make the first impression of his image upon thee. Which will then as steadily incline, and determine thy soul towards him; as the magnetique touch ascertains the posture of the Needle; wherefore doth he, there discover his own heart; but to melt and win, and transform thine.
- 1Heb. 12 14.
- 22 Cor. 5 18 19.
- 31 Joh. 1. 1, 2, 3, 4.
