A treatise of delighting in God from Psal. xxxvij. 4. Delight thy self also…

How great is the pleasure that arises from Self-government! When that governs in us which should govern, and that is subject and obeys which should obey; when a mans mind is competently furnished with directive practical principles, and his heart is so framed that it is capable of being prescribed to, is patient of restraints and direction, easily obeys the reign and follows the ducture of an enlightened well-instructed mind; when the order is maintained between the superior faculties and the inferior, and there are no contentious murmurs of ungovernable appetitions and passions against the law of the mind: Tis true, that where this holy rectitude doth but in a degree take place, there will be many conflicts, but those conflicts are in order to victory; and how joyful and glorious is the triumph upon that victory! when the soul enters upon its [Greek or Hebrew], its thanksgiving song, I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! how happy a state is that (wherein at some times it is here attained) when there are now no tumults within! The wicked (which is the very import of their name) are as troubled sea, that cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and ⟨p. 80⟩dirt. Here is no governing principle in any power; no Sceptre, no Trident to check and allay the rage of those waters. But when his power goes forth in the soul, whose very word Winds and Seas obey, how peaceful and pleasant a calm doth ensue!

How great is the pleasure that arises from Self-government! When that governs in us which should govern, and that is subject and obeys which should obey; when a mans mind is competently furnished with directive practical principles, and his heart is so framed that it is capable of being prescribed to, is patient of restraints and direction, easily obeys the reign and follows the ducture of an inlightened well-instructed mind; when the order is maintained between the superior faculties and the inferior, and there are no contentious murmurs of ungovernable appetitions and passions against the law of the mind: Tis true, that where this holy rectitude doth but in a degree take place, there will be many conflicts, but those conflicts are in order to victory; and how joyful and glorious is the triumph upon that victory! when the soul enters upon its 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, its thanksgiving song, I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! how happy a state is that (wherein at some times it is here attained) when there are now no tumults within! The wicked (which is the very import of their name) are as troubled sea, that cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and