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

163 And that is according to what it is in it self, both As 1. A Privilege, by Gracious Invitation. 164 2. A Duty, by way of Authoritative Command; It is a great piece of Homage. 165 Therefore we should be well informed, 1. That we are to delight in him supremely. 169 2. That we continue therein. 170 II. Practice or Exercise of Delight in God. 173 Both as, 1. Adhaerent to the other Duties of Religion, and so treat of the exercise of Religion as delightful. 175 Wherein, ⟨image 9⟩1. We are not to rest in or practise a Religion which is not naturally and in it self delightful. 176 Hence more distinctly is showed, 1. What that Religion is, which is wholly in it self undelightful. Taking two Cautions, 1. That even such Religion as is true and living, and consequently in it self delightful, yet may by accident sometimes not appear or be thought so. 177 2. That a dead Religion may be thought delightful, through the ill temper of the subject. And premising a twofold General Rule, viz. 1. Such Delight which is taken in any thing not answering the end to which it serves. 178 2. Such as is accompanied with a real hurt greater than the Delight can countervail. So then that Religion is undelightful, i.e. not chiefly delightful. 1. Which consists wholly in revolving in one's mind the notions that belong to Religion, without either the experience or the design and expectation of having the heart and conversation formed according to them. 180 2. Which too many place in some peculiar opinions, that are either false and contrary to Religion, or doubtful and cumbersome to it. 182 3. Hitherto may be referred the much less rational pleasure which is taken by some in the mere dress wherewith such notions and opinions may be artificially clothed by themselves or others. 184 4. Which is made all of Talk. 186 5. Which stands all in hearing. 187 6. Which consists entirely in the external additaments and forms of Worship, which this or that party have chosen to affix to it. 188 2. How unfit that Religion is to be chosen and rested in. 189 Here let it be considered, 1. That Religion which is in it self undelightful, is uncapable of growth, because a dead thing. 190 2. Nor for the same reason can it be a lasting thing. 192 3. While it doth last it wants the fruit and profit which should be designed and sought by Religion. 193 4.

163 And that is according to what it is in it self, both As 1. A Priviledg, by Gracious Invitation. 164 2. A Duty, by way of Authoritative Command; It is a great piece of Homage. 165 Therefore we should be well informed, 1. That we are to delight in him supreamly. 169 2. That we continue therein. 170 II. Practice or Exercise of Delight in God. 173 Both as, 1. Adhaerent to the other Duties of Religion, and so treat of the exercise of Religion as delightful. 175 Wherein,