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

2. That we are to judge of the hopefulness of our enjoying this blessedness, by the present habitude, or disposedness of our spirits thereto. For what is that righteousness which qualifies for it, but the impress of the Gospel upon the minds and hearts of men? The Gospel-revelation is the only Rule, and Measure of that righteousness. It must therefore consist in conformity thereto. And look to the frame, and design of the Gospel-revelation; and what doth so directly correspond to it, as that very habitude, and disposedness of spirit for this blessedness whereof we speak? Nothing so answers, the Gospel, as a propension of heart towards God (gratified in part, now, and increasing, till it find a full satisfaction) a desire of knowing him, and of being like him. 'Tis the whole design of the Gospel, which reveals his glory in the face of Jesus Christ, to work and form the spirits of men to this. They therefore whose spirits are thus wrought, and framed, are righteous by the Gospel-measure, and by that righteousness are evidently entitled, and fitted for this blessedness. Yea that righteousness hath in it (or rather is) the elements, the first Principles, the seed of this blessedness. There can therefore be no surer Rule, or Mark, ⟨p. 261⟩whereby to judge our states, whether we have to do with this blessedness, may expect it yea or no, than this.

2. That we are to judge of the hopefulness of our enjoying this blessedness, by the present habitude, or disposedness of our spirits thereto. For what is that righteousness which qualifies for it, but the impress of the Gospel upon the minds and hearts of men? The Gospel-revelation is the onely Rule, and Measure of that righteousness. It must therefore consist in conformity thereto. And look to the frame, and design of the Gospel-revelation; and what doth so directly correspond to it, as that very habitude, and disposedness of spirit for this blessednesse whereof we speak? Nothing so answers, the Gospel, as a propension of heart towards God (gratifi'd in part, now, and increasing, till it find a full satisfaction) a desire of knowing him, and of being like him. 'Tis the whole design of the Gospel, which reveals his glory in the face of Jesus Christ, to work and form the spirits of men to this. They therefore whose spirits are thus wrought, and framed, are righteous by the Gospel-measure, and by th•t righteousness are evidently entituled, and fitted for this blessedness. Yea that righteousness hath in it (or rather is) the elements, the first Principles, the seed of this blessedness. There can therefore be no surer Rule, or Mark,