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

A promise would give thee a full certainty of the issue, if it were absolute out of hand? if conditional, as soon as thou findest the condition performed. But what, canst thou act upon no lower rate then a foregoing certainty, a preassurance of the event?

A promise would give thee a full certainty of the issue, if it were absolute out of hand? if conditional, assoon as thou findest the condition performed. But what, canst thou act upon no lower rate then a foregoing certainty, a preassurance of the event?

My friend, consider a little, (what thou canst not but know already) that 'tis HOPE (built with those that are rational, upon rational probabilities, with many, oftentimes, upon none at all) is the great Engine that moves the World, that keeps all sorts of men in action. Doth the Husbandman foreknow when he Ploughs, and Sows; that the Crop will answer his cost, and pains. Doth the Merchant foreknow, when he Embarks his goods, he shall have a safe, and gainful return? Dost thou foreknow, when thou eatest, it shall refresh thee? when thou takest Physic, that it shall recover thy health? and save thy life? Yea further, can the c• •tous ⟨p. 287⟩man pretend a promise, that his unjust practises shall enrich him? the malicious, that he shall prosper in his design of revenge? the ambitions, that he shall be great and honourable? the voluptuous, that his pleasures shall be always unmixed with gall, and wormwood? Can any say, they ever had a promise to ascertain them that profaneness and sensuality would bring them to Heaven? that an ungodly dissolute life would end in blessedness? Here the Lord knows men can be confident, and active enough without a promise, and against many an express threatening. Wilt thou not upon the hope thou hast before thee, do as much for thy soul, for eternal blessedness, as men do for uncertain riches, short pleasures, an airy soon-blasted name? yea as much as men desperately do to damn themselves, and purchase their own swift destruction.