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

We must therefore know, that as our knowledge of God, and conformity to him are both our duty, and blessedness; the matter both of our endeavour, and of Gods vouchsafement. So our ignorance of him, and unlikeness to him, are both our sin, and our misery; which misery, though God have graciously removed it in part, yet also he continues it upon us in part (as our sad experience tells us) by his just, and wise dispensation, which we cannot except against.

Now therefore, looking upon the defect of our knowledge of God, and likeness to him, under the former notion; Though we are to reflect upon our selves with greater displeasure and indignation; yet looking on them, in the latter notion, we are to submit to the righteous dispensation of God, with a meek, unrepining patience.

By this patience, therefore, I mean; not a stupid succumbencie under the remaining disease, and distemper of our Spirits, in this our present state; a senseless indifferency, and oscitant cessation from continual endeavours of further redress; but a silent and submissive veneration of Divine Wisdom, and Justice, and Goodness, that are sweetly complicated in this procedure with us; with a quiet peaceful expectation of the blessed issue of it.

By this patience, therefore, I mean; not a stupid succumbencie under the remaining disease, and distemper of our Spirits, in this our present state; a sensless indifferency, and oscitant cessation from continual endeavours of further redress; but a silent and submissive veneration of Divine Wisdom, and Justice, and Goodness, that are sweetly complicated in this procedure with us; with a quiet peaceful expectation of the blessed issue of it.