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

And 'tis this I am now pressing, in as much as some account hath been already given (according as we can now imperfectly guess at it, and spell it out) what the constitution of the holy soul is, in its glorified state, when it perfectly partakes the Divine likeness; that when we find in our selves any principles, and first elements of that blessed frame, we would endeavour the gradual improvement thereof; and be making towards that perfection. This therefore being our present work; let it be remembered wherein that participated likeness of God hath been said to consist; and labour now the nearest approach to that pitch and state. Your measures must be taken from what is most perfect, come now as near it as you can,¹ and as that Pagans advice is; If yet thou art not Socrates, however, live as one that would fain be Socrates. Though yet thou art not perfect, live as one that aims at it, and would be so.

And 'tis this I am now pressing, in as much as some account hath been already given (according as we can now imperfectly guesse at it, and spell it out) what the constitution of the holy soul is, in its glorified state, when it perfectly partakes the Divine likeness; that when we find in our selves any principles, and first elements of that blessed frame, we would endeavour the gradual improvement thereof; and be making towards that perfection. This therefore being our present work; let it be remembred wherein that participated likeness of God hath been said to consist; and labour now the nearest approach to that pitch and state. Your measures must be taken from what is most perfect, come now as near it as you can,¹ and as that Pagans advice is; If yet thou art not Socrates, however, live as one that would fain be Socrates. Though yet thou art not perfect, live as one that aims at it, and would be so.

1. 1Epictet.