A44697:15
A treatise of delighting in God from Psal. xxxvij. 4. Delight thy self also…
A treatise of delighting in God from Psal. xxxvij. 4. Delight thy self also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. In two parts. By John Howe, M.A. sometime fellow of Magdalen College, Oxon.
London: printed by A. Maxwell for Sa. Gellibrand, 1674
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
IF there be any thing of mistake, or defectiveness, found in this Scheme; let it not be charged upon the accurate Author, who lives at a very great distance from the press, and knows nothing of it: but upon one who was willing to help the Reader, by giving him a short View of this Excellent Work, which for the matter, contrivance, spirit and manly Eloquence of it, may commend it self (above the vulgar estimate) unto the ingenuous; who upon a distinct reading of it all through with seriousness, cannot but desire a review, and be glad easily to find out the Page where some remarkable thing did more especially affect his heart, that he may refresh himself again and again with it. Others may perhaps from a glance at the sweetness and variety of these Contents, be invited to feed heartily upon the Book it self; Which if they do, no doubt but they will experimentally attest it to be in its proportion very agreeable to the Subject it treats upon, truly Delectable.
Of Delighting in God, Two Parts; Concerning the
I. Import, or meaning of it, Page 1. 1. Delectable Object, in an Absolute Relative consideration. 5 1. Absolute ibid. 2. Relative, as 1. Lord to be obeyed. ibid. 2. Portion to be enjoyed sufficient. communicable 10 To state the Communicable Delectable Good with more advantage premise 1. That delightful enjoyment of God, supposeth some Communication from God. 12 2. However God himself is enjoyed, yet this Communication is also a sort of mediate object of this real Delight, suited to the new-born-creature's wants of further knowledge, likeness, and assurance of his Love 13 Hence Divine Communication to regenerate Souls contains in it, 1. An inwardly enlightening revelation of God himself to them, 19 Which exceeds the common appearances to all, in that it is 1. Attributed to the Spirit, 22 2. Spoken as a reward of their love, 23 This exceeding common light may have these characters 1. It is much more distinct and clear, 24 both as to the beauty, and tendency 26 of Truths. 27 2. More powerfully assuring, 32 in respect of matter revealed. manner of revelation, vigour it carries with it, design of it, 2. A transforming impression of his Image, 43 including the removal of such dispositions as are corrupt, 50 settlement of such as are gracious, ibid. rectifying the Soul towards God himself as the end, 51 Christ as the means, 52 men, 72 themselves, 72 this and the other world, 86 The Characters of this Divine Communication are, 1. Generative, 93 2. Nutritive, ibid. 3. Sanative, 94 4. Corroborative, ibid. From not-knowing or not-considering this way of enjoying God, ariseth a twofold mistake, 97