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

Do you bear goodwill to him whose reproach and dishonour you are not concerned for, yea, whom you stick not to dishonour and reproach? whose interest among men hath no place in your thoughts, whose friends are none of yours, whose enemies are your friends, whose favour you care not for, nor regret his frowns, whose Worship is a burden to you, (that you had rather do any thing than pray to him), and his fellowship an undesired thing? Make an estimate by these things of the temper of your hearts towards God; and consider whether it bespeak delight in him, or not rather habitual aversion and enmity.

Do you bear goodwill to him whose reproach and dishonour you are not concern'd for, yea, whom you stick not to dishonour and reproach? whose interest among men hath no place in your thoughts, whose friends are none of yours, whose enemies are your friends, whose favour you care not for, nor regret his frowns, whose Worship is a burthen to you, (that you had rather do any thing than pray to him), and his fellowship an undesired thing? Make an estimate by these things of the temper of your hearts towards God; and consider whether it bespeak delight in him, or not rather habitual aversion and enmity.

It may be you will admit these things seem to carry somewhat of conviction with them: But they concern many that are taken for godly persons and lovers of God, as well as they do you. And it may be many such may take themselves for godly persons and lovers of God, and be mistaken as well as you; And what will that mend your cause? If these things will prove a person one that hath no delight in God, they equally prove it as to you and others, which will make nothing to your advantage.

But if they who have sincere love to God, ⟨p. 244⟩