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

4. Get the notion of this blessedness deeply imprinted in your minds; so as to abide with you, that you may not be always at a loss; and change you apprehensions every time you come to think of it: Let a once-well formed Idea, a clear full state of it be preserved entire: and be (as a lively image) always before your eyes; which you may readily view upon all occasions.

4. Get the notion of this blessedness deeply imprinted in your minds; so as to abide with you, that you may not be alwayes at a loss; and change you apprehensions every time you come to think of it: Let a once-well formed Idaea, a clear full state of it be preserv'd entire: and be (as a lively image) alwayes before your eyes; which you may readily view upon all occasions.

2. That having well fixed the notion of this blessedness in your minds,¹ you seriously reflect upon yourself, and compare the temper of your Spirit with it: that you may find out how it is affected thereto; and thence judge in what likelihood you are of enjoying it.

1. 12 Rule.

The general aversion of mens Spirits to this so necessary work of self-reflection is one of the most deplorable Symptoms of lapsed, degenerate humanity. The wickedness that hath overspread the nature of man, and a secret consciousness, and misgiving, hath made men afraid of themselves, and studiously to decline all acquaintance with their own souls; to shun themselves as Ghosts and Spectives; they cannot endure to appear to themselves. You can hardly impose a severer task upon a wicked man, than to go retire an hour or two, and commune with himself, he knows not how to face his own thoughts: His own soul is a Devil to him (as indeed it will be in hell, the most frightful, tormenting Devil) Yet what power is there, in man, more excellent, more appropriate to reasonable nature, than that of reflecting, of turning his thoughts upon himself.