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

How foolish a thing it is, and unworthy of a reasonable creature, to do that in a continued course and series of actions, wherein we can have no design, and do aim at nothing. 194 5. What Reflections are likely to be made upon this matter hereafter, when this short course in this world is run out. 196 6. How offensive it must be to the jealous God, that any should thus trifle with him in his holy things, under a show of Religion and devotion to him. 197 2. What Religion is fit to be chosen, i.e. such as is in it self rationally and justly delectable. 199 ⟨image 10⟩Where somewhat is to be offered for, 1. Direction in these Rules following, viz. 1. Endeavour to have a mind well-instructed in the knowledge of such things as more directly concern the Practice of a Religious man, as such. 200 To which are opposite, an excessive 1. Curiosity in speculation of Truths. 201 2. Scrupulosity about matters of Practice. 2. Be principally intent to have your Soul good and holy, by its own settled temper and complexion. 203 3. When your spirit is well-inclined, know yet that it needs your continual inspection and care, to cherish good principles and repress evil ones. 205 4. Be frequent and impartial in the actual exercise of gracious Principles, or in practising and doing as they direct. 208 5. Be confirmed in the apprehension, That Religion is in it self a delightful thing, even universally and in the whole nature of it. Whereby a double mistake will be avoided; either 1. That Religion is such a thing to which delight must be alien and banished from it. Or, 2. If any delight did belong to it at all, it must be found in the extraordinary assurances of Gods love. 212 6. However all the acts and operations of true and living Religion be in themselves delightful, yet apply your selves to the doing of them for an higher reason, and with a greater design than your own delight. 213 7. Yet disallow not your self to taste and enjoy the pleasure of well-doing, yea and (secondarily and in due subordination) to design and endeavour that you may do so. 214 8. Take heed distempers you now discern in your own spirit, you do neither indulge your self nor despair, but take the proper cause of redress. 218 This must be done in the power of the Holy Ghost. 223 By 1. Dependence and trust. 2. Subjection and obedient surrender to the spiritual conduct. 226 2. Excitation.

How foolish a thing it is, and unworthy of a reasonable creature, to do that in a continued course and series of actions, wherein we can have no design, and do aim at nothing. 194 5. What Reflexions are likely to be made upon this matter hereafter, when this short course in this world is run out. 196 6. How offensive it must be to the jealous God, that any should thus trifle with him in his holy things, under a shew of Religion and devotion to him. 197 2. What Religion is fit to be chosen, i.e. such as is in it self rationally and justly delectable. 199