A44697:411
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.
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; because either variety of occasions may divert from minding, or some embittering distemper of spirit may hinder the present relishing of that pleasure which is truly in it. As a man may eat and feed on that, which is very savoury and good; and yet, though his taste be not vitiated, but because he reflects not, may not every moment have that present apprehension that it is so; much more if the Organs of taste be under a present distemper. But, if they be not so, any one's asking him how he likes that dish, (because that occasions a more express animadversion), will also draw from him an acknowledgement that it is pleasant and savoury.
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; because either variety of occasions may divert from minding, or some imbittering distemper of spirit may hinder the present relishing of that pleasure which is truly in it. As a man may eat and feed on that, which is very savoury and good; and yet, though his taste be not vitiated, but because he reflects not, may not every moment have that present apprehension that it is so; much more if the Organs of taste be under a present distemper. But, if they be not so, any one's asking him how he likes that dish, (because that occasions a more express animadversion), will also draw from him an acknowledgment that it is pleasant and savoury.
2. That a dead Religion may be thought delightful; and through the ill temper of the subject, a pleasure may be apprehended in it, which doth not naturally arise from it; that is, The mere external part of Religion may be flexible, and be accidentally perverted into a subserviency to some purposes which Religion of it self intends not, in respect whereof a delight may injuriously (and as by a rape) be taken in it, as is said by the Prophet of an hypocritical people,1