The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

1. He offers to teach and instruct us in our Duty ⟨p. 413⟩If it be enquired, what person David bears in this place? it may be replied; we may either consider him as an Experienced Saint, who had been a special instance of Gods great mercy, who had heard him in his distress, and sealed up his love to him, which in token of gratitude, he was desirous to impart to others for their benefit. Or we may look upon him as a Penitent, who had by his great fall dishonoured God, and scandalized men, and now after his recovery, endeavours to do as much to win men to God, as he had done to prejudice them at Religion; and this he resolved to do, Psal. 51. 13. Or we may reckon him as a Prophet in Israel, and so he accounted himself particularly engaged to promove the Salvation of others: and in nothing was he better fitted for this, than by being able to preach experiences to them. It may also be observed, whom the Psalmist directs himself to: and some say, that is directly to impenitent sinners; but I rather suppose that he speaks both to Sinners and Saints: The particular case laid down in the Psalm, was of one that was truly Godly, but had fallen under Guilt, and suffered desertion, and was now recovered; and this affords profitable instruction both to the Godly and Wicked. In the offer it self we may observe,

1. He offers to teach and instruct us in our Dut• ⟨p. 413⟩If it be enquired, what person David bears in this place? it may be replied; we may either consider him as an Experienced Saint, who had been a special instance of Gods great mercy, who had heard him in his distress, and sealed up his love to him, which in token of gratitude, he was desirous to impart to others for their benefit. Or we may look upon him as a Penitent, who had by his great fall dishonoured God, and scandalized men, and now after his recovery, endeavours to do as much to win men to God, as he had done to prejudice them at Religion; and this he resolved to do, Psal. 51. 13. Or we may reckon him as a Prophet in Israel, and so he accounted himself particularly engaged to promove the Salvation of others: and in nothing was he better fitted for this, than by being able to preach experiences to them. It may also be observed, whom the Psalmist directs himself to: and some say, that is directly to impenitent sinners; but I rather suppose that he speaks both to Sinners and Saints: The particular case laid down in the Psalm, was of one that was truly Godly, but had fallen under Guilt, and suffered desertion, and was now recovered; and this affords profitable instruction both to the Godly and Wicked. In the offer it self we may observe,