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

To know his methods, and the course of his dispensations towards the World, his Church, and specially our own Spirits. This is great knowledge of God, to have the skill to trace his footsteps, and observe by comparing times with times, that such a course he more usually holds; and accordingly, with great probability, collect, from what we have seen, and observed, what we may expect. What order and succession there is of storms of wrath, to clouds of sin, and again of peaceful, lucid intervals, when such storms have inferred penitential tears. In what exigences, and distresses humble mourners may expect Gods visits, and consolations. To recount in how great extremities, former experience hath taught us not to despair, and from such experiences still to argue our selves into fresh reviving hopes when ⟨p. 303⟩the state of things (whether public or private, outward or spiritual) seems forlorn.

To know his methods, and the course of his dispensations towards the World, his Church, and specially our own Spirits. This is great knowledge of God, to have the skill to trace his footsteps, and observe by comparing times with times, that such a course he more usually holds; and accordingly, with great probability, collect, from what we have seen, and observed, what we may expect. What order and succession there is of storms of wrath, to clouds of sin, and again of peaceful, lucid intervals, when such storms have infer'd penitential tears. In what exigences, and distresses humble mourners may expect Gods visits, and consolations. To recount in how great extremities, former experience hath taught us not to despair, and from such experiences still to argue our selves into fresh reviving hopes when ⟨p. 303⟩the state of things (whether publick or private, outward or spiritual) seems forlorn.

To know the proper seasons of address to him; and how to behave our selves most acceptably in his presence. In what dispositions and postures of Spirit, we are fittest for his converse, so as to be able to come to him in a good hour, in a time when he may be found.