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

1. By way of gracious invitation to partake of a privilege, which our Blessed Lord would have us share and be happy in; no longer to spend our selves in anxious pursuits and vain expectations of Rest where it is not to be found; but that we retire our selves to him in whom we shall be sure to find it. Pity and Mercy invite us here to place our delight, and take up our Rest. And concerning this, there is no question or imaginable doubt.

1. By way of gracious invitation to partake of a priviledg, which our Blessed Lord would have us share and be happy in; no longer to spend our selves in anxious pursuits and vain expectations of Rest where it is not to be found; but that we retire our selves to him in whom we shall be sure to find it. Pity and Mercy invite us here to place our delight, and take up our Rest. And concerning this, there is no question or imaginable doubt.

2. By way of authoritative Command. For we must know,

That delight in God is to be considered not only under the notion of a privilege unto which we may esteem our selves entitled; but also of a duty whereto we are most indispensably obliged. This is a thing (not so much not understood, as) not considered and seriously thought on, by very many; and the not-considering it proves no small disadvantage to the life of Religion. It occurs to very many, more familiarly, under the notion of a high favour, and a great vouchsafement (as indeed it is), that God will allow any of the Sons of men to place their delights in himself; but they (at least seem to) think it's only the privilege of some special favourites; of whom, because they perhaps, are conscious they have no cause to reckon themselves, they are therefore very secure in the neglect of it. And thus is the pretence of modesty and humility very often made an umbrage and shelter to the vile carnality of many an heart; and a want of fitness