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

'Tis true, that Philosophy hath been wont to teach us, that choice or election, hath no place about the end, because that is but one; and choice always implies a competition. But that very reason evinces that in our present state, and case; choice must have place about the end. That Philosophy might have suited better the state of innocent Adam; when there was nothing to blind, and bribe a mans judgment, or occasion it to deliberate, about the supreme end (then it might be truly said, deliberation ⟨p. 235⟩it self, was a defection) nor to pervert, and misincline his will; and so its action, in proposing its end, would be simple intention, not choice.

'Tis true, that Philosophy hath been wont to teach us, that choice or election, hath no place about the end, because that is but one; and choice always implyes a competition. But that very reason evinces that in our present state, and case; choice must have place about the end. That Philosophy might have suited better the state of innocent Adam; when there was nothing to blind, and bribe a mans judgment, or occasion it to deliberate, about the supreme end (then it might be truly said, deliberation ⟨p. 235⟩it self, was a defection) nor to pervert, and misincline his will; and so its action, in proposing its end, would be simple intention, not choice.

But so hath the Apostasy, and sin of man, blinded and befooled him, that he is at a loss about nothing more, then what is the chief good. And though S. Augustine reduce Varro's 288.¹ differing Sects about it to 12. that's enough to prove (but daily experience doth it more convincingly, and sadly) a real, though most unjust competition. Therefore a sinner can never be blessed, without choosing his blessedness; and therein, it highly concern's him to choose aright; and that a Spirit of Wisdom, and Counsel guide his choice. While Man had not as yet fallen to deliberate whether he should adhere to God, or no; was a gradual declension, the very inchoation of his fall; but having fallen; necessity makes that a virtue, which was a wickns before. There's no returning to God, without considering our ways. The so much altered state of the case, quite alters the nature of the things. It was a consulting to do evil, before; now, to do god. And hence also choosing the Lord to be our God,