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

And this is the mischievous cheat many put upon their own souls, and would obtrude (too often) upon others too; that overlooking the great design of the Gospel to transform mens spirits, and change them into the Divine likeness, they think 'tis Religion enough to espouse a party, and adopt an Opinion; and then vogue themselves friends to Religion, according to the measure of their zeal for their own party or Opinion. And give a very pregnant proof of that zeal by magnifying, or inveighing against the times, according as they favour, or frown upon their empty, unspirited Religion. It being indeed such (a secret consciousness whereof they herein bewray) as ⟨p. 322⟩hath no other life in it, then what it owes to external favour, and countenance. And therefore all public rebukes are justly apprehended mortal to it: whereas that substantial Religion that adequately answers the design, and is animated by the Spirit of the Gospel, possesses the Souls of them that own it, with a secure confidence that it can live in any times, and hold their Souls in life also. Hence they go on their way with a free, unsolicitous cheerfulness; enjoying silently in their own bosoms that repose, and rest which naturally results from a sound, and well composed temper of Spirit. They know their happiness depends upon nothing without them^*. That they hold it by a better tenure then that of the worlds courtesy. They can be quiet in the midst of storms, and abound in the want of all things. They can, in patience possess their own sou•, and in them a vital spring of true pleasure, when they are driven out of all other possessions. They know the living sense of these words; that the good man is satisfied from himself; that to be Spiritually minded is life and peace; that nothing can harm them that are followers of the good. That the way to see good days, is to keep their tongue from evil, and their lips from speaking g••le, to depart from evil, and do good, to seek peace, and pursue it.

And this is the mischievous cheat many put upon their own souls, and would obtrude (too often) upon others too; that overlooking the great design of the Gospel to transform mens spirits, and change them into the Divine likeness, they think 'tis Religion enough to espouse a party, and adopt an Opinion; and then vogue themselves friends to Religion, according to the measure of their zeal for their own party or Opinion. And give a very pregnant proof of that zeal by magnifying, or inveighing against the times, according as they favour, or frown upon their empty, unspirited Religion. It being indeed such (a secret consciousness whereof they herein bewray) as