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

Again, consider, the continued representation, and frequent inculcations of this glory. Its vigorous powerful beams are, by often repealed pulsations, continually beating upon such souls, as are intent towards it. Life and Immortality are brought to light in the Gospel; and they are obliged, by command, and inclination, to attend its discoveries. The eye that's once smitten, looks again, and again, 'tis not satisfied with seeing; and every renewed look meets with, still, fresh rays of glory; They have frequent foretasts, and prelibations, which still give life to new desires. To lie under the direct stroke of the power of the world to come, this requires much patience, to sustain the burden of such an expectation. Life it self were otherwise a bitter, and a wearisome thing.^* And the want of such foretasts (for alas they are not constant) makes desire sometimes more restless, and expectation more bitter and grievous.

Again, consider, the continued representation, and frequent inculcations of this glory. Its vigorous powerful beams are, by often repealed pulsations, continually beating upon such souls, as are intent towards it. Life and Immortality are brought to light in the Gospel; and they are obliged, by command, and inclination, to attend its discoveries. The eye that's once smitten, looks again, and again, 'tis not satisfied with seeing; and every renewed look meets with, still, fresh raies of glory; They have frequent foretasts, and prelivations, which still give life to new desires. To lie under the direct stroke of the power of the world to come, this requires much patience, to sustain the burden of such an expectation. Life it self were otherwise a bitter, and a wearisome thing.^* And the want of such foretasts (for alass they are not constant) makes desire sometimes more restless, and expectation more bitter and grievous.

1. *Canerem tibi angelicâ voce throno•um quàm mi•ificâ, semper in patriâ dulcedine reple•mur; nisi vererer, ne fortè, posthâ• tantae d•lcedinis hujus comparatione; tota tibi in terris vita non solum amarissima verum etiam amaritudo ipso penitus videtur. M. Ficin. Epist.