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

I insist upon this apprehending (what deserves more lamentation then it hath observation) that too many annex a profession of eminent godliness, and spirituality into an indulged, querulous, impatient temper of spirit, join a splendid appearance of piety to an unreformed perverse frowardness (which agree as well as a Jewel of Gold to a Swines snout) nothing pleases them; their mercies are not worth the acknowledging; their afflictions intolerable, not to be born. They fall out and quarrel with all occurrences, actions, events; neither Man, nor God, doth any thing good in their sight. The world is not well governed, nothing falls out well as to themselves. What can possibly be thought on more repugnant to the knowledge of God. The g•and design, of all Religion, and the very Spirit of the Gospel; than this temper? which way do these tend and aim but to lead souls to blessedness; to bring them into a peaceful happy satisfied state and frame? and must we, ⟨p. 205⟩because that end cannot be attained here, therefore go the quite contrary way? or pretend we are going to heaven with our backs turned upon it? Sure the discoveries God now makes of himself to us, and by which he impresses his likeness upon his own; though they ultimately design our satisfaction and blessedness in heaven; as intermediate there unto, they aim at the bringing us into an Heaven upon Earth, to form us unto a life agreeable, and hath analogy with that of heaven; unto which nothing is more analogous in our prepresent state then that peace, and serenity which result from Divine Knowledge, and holiness: nothing more inconsistent, then a peevish, fretful, turbulent Spirit. The one is a participation of a bright, and mild light from heaven; the other of a dark, and raging fire from Hell? 'Tis only Gods face, his glorious likeness reflected on our souls, that shall satisfy hereafter, and make heaven, heaven. He doth not now wholly conceal himself from us, nor altogether hide his face. The shining of the same face (in what degree he now vouchsafes them) will make this Earth an Heaven too. One glance towards him may transmit a lively, pleasant lustre upon our spirits (They looked to him and were lightened.¹) And we live in the expectation of clearer, and more impressive, eternal visions. It will become us to express a present satisfiedness, proportionable to our present sights, and expectations;