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

Nor are we to look upon the expressions of this prayer as so many hyperbolical strains, or Rhetorical schemes of Speech. He prays according to the apprehension he had of the necessity of suffering Christians.

And yet how much soever the need is, the reason is not less, Tis a thing as possible as it is necessary; yea there is a deal more in the power of the cause; then to work this single effect. I mean it not only of the efficient cause mentioned before, but of the objection, or final (as having such a superabundant sufficiency in its kind also) hinted in the close of the following verse. He doth not utter vain and groundless wishes, when he prays, that to that all of patience they might add joyfulness too, and giving of thank; no the matter (as if he had said) will bear it, even the inheritance of the Saints in light (the very expectation objective, I am speaking of) ⟨p. 386⟩It hath enough in it to induce, not only patience, but joy, not a contented bearing only, but giving of thanks too,¹ to him that hath made you meet for that inheritance.

And yet how much soever the need is, the reason is not less, Tis a thing as possible as it is necessary; yea there is a deal more in the power of the cause; then to work this single effect. I mean it not onely of the efficient cause mentioned before, but of the objection, or final (as having such a superabundant sufficiencie in its kind also) hinted in the close of the following verse. He doth not utter vain and groundless wishes, when he prays, that to that all of patience they might add joyfulness too, and giving of thank; no the matter (as if he had said) will bear it, even the inheritance of the Saints in light (the very expectation objective, I am speaking of) ⟨p. 386⟩It hath enough in it to induce, not onely patitience, but joy, not a contented bearing onely, but giving of thanks too,