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

At least we drive not on a design of growth, and self improvement in our spiritual states with that constancy we ought; we are off, and on; our Spirits are not steadily intent. We are unstable as water, ¹how can we excel? God hath not put us, sure, upon so fruitless a task, ⟨p. 336⟩wherein our utmost labour and diligence shall profit nothing. Therefore strive more vigorously, and pray with more earnest importunity. Consider, and plead it with God, that he hath set before thee the hope of such a state, when thou art to be perfectly like him; and shalt thou (that must hereafter be like God) be now like a clod of earth. Thou art now a Child begotten of him, and though thou art yet in thy minority, yet may not somewhat be spared out of so fair an estate, hereafter designed for thee; as that thou mayest now live worthy of such a Father, and suitably to thy expected inheritance?

1. 1Gen. 49. 4.

3. And now, a contented satisfied temper of Spirit, as I have told you, results from the other two; and will therefore follow of course, upon growing knowledge of God, and conformity to Him, as the latter of these also doth, upon the former. Yea, 'tis a part of our conformity to God; but a part consequent to the impression of the things mentioned under the former head (as knowledge also is a part previous and antecedent thereto) Tis in the state of glory, we see something superadded. The likeness imprest, is presupposed; Satisfaction follows thereupon. The case is so too in our present state, Contentment is spoken of as a thing consequent and superadded. Godliness with Contentment; a satisfied, contented Spirit, when 'tis the result of Godliness (of the divine image imprest) is indeed great gain. Yet