A discourse relating to the much-lamented death and solemn funeral of our incomparable and…

Likeness to God, therefore, in every other just respect, certainly ensues, upon such preceding knowledge of him; For the kind and nature of that knowledge being, as it ought to be, powerful, vigorous, transforming of the whole Soul, and the Will ductile and compliant; agreeable impressions do most certainly take place. As now, beholding—we are changed, 2 Cor. 3. 18. Much more in that State where the injected divine beams are so strong, and vivid, and the receptive disposition so prompt, free, apt and facile.

Likeness to God, therefore, in every other just respect, certainly ensues, upon such preceding knowledge of him; For the kind and nature of that knowledge being, as it ought to be, powerful, vigorous, transforming of the whole Soul, and the Will ductile and compliant; agreeable impressions do most certainly take place. As now, beholding—we are chang'd, 2 Cor. 3. 18. Much more in that State where the injected divine beams are so strong, and vivid, and the receptive disposition so prompt, free, apt and facile.

Therefore to be made like God, is to be made perfect, according to the ultimate intendment of these words. The vision, or knowledge of God in the heavenly state, being never intended for idle, ineffectual speculation; as this perfection is not otherwise to be understood, than with reference to the ends we were made for; that we may be immediately capable of, and apt for everlasting adoration and fruition of the blessed God, in a joint, and most full consent, and communion, with the General Assembly, the whole Community of all the blessed Spirits besides, whose eternal work and delight this will be.

This likeness to God must yet be understood with exception to the Divine Peculiarities, as hath been elsewhere shown,