A44697:458
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.
2. Be principally intent to have your Soul become habitually good and holy, by its own settled temper and complexion inclined and made suitable to the way of righteousness and life. It was, no doubt, with a very sweet gust and relish of pleasure, that the Psalmist utters that gratulatory acknowledgement of the Divine goodness in this,1 He restoreth my Soul; he leadeth me in paths of righteousness, for his names sake. The paths of righteousness are very agreeable and pleasant to a restored, a sound and healthy Soul; to one that is now got into a good habit, and a settled state of spiritual strength. You may therefore take the meaning and substance of this Precept, in the Apostles (more-authoritative) words, Be ye transformed in the renewing of your mind, 2that ye may prove what is that good, that acceptable and perfect will of God. You can never (q. d.) have a proof it (the very palate of your Soul will be vicious and still disaffected till then, that is,) till that transformation and renewing change have past upon you. Then it will be pleasant to you to know the will of God; your delight will be in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law you will meditate both day and night. And it will be more pleasant to do it. You will esteem the words of his mouth as your appointed food, and it will be as your meat and drink to do his will. You can easily apprehend how toilsome and painful any thing of business and labour is to a person ⟨p. 204⟩that languishes under some enfeebling lazy disease: A like case it is, when you would put one upon doing of any thing spiritually good, that is listless, indisposed, to every good work reprobate. How will the heart recoil and give back! with how vehement a reluctation will it resist the proposal, as if you were urging it upon flames or the Swords point! The carnal mind is enmity against God, 3and is not subject to his law, nor indeed can be. But when once the law of God is within your heart, 4you will delight to do his will. To one that is born of God,5