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

4. That whatsoever is written, is for ou• learning. The design of the whole Scripture is one, viz. To enlighten, direct, and help us in the Glorifying of God. Such passages therefore as refer to the dealing of God with such as have sought pardon of him, under distress of Conscience, are not merely for our speculation; not do we rightly use any Scripture History, unless we apply it to our selves, and draw some Lessons from it, for help us in our great business, and that must be suited to the design of it: and no Providences pass before us but we ought to observe them, so as to use them for our advantage.

4. That whatsoever is written, is for ou• learning. The design of the whole Scripture is one, viz. To enlighten, direct, and help us in the Glorifying of God. Such passages therefore as refer to the dealing of God with such as have sought pardon of him, under distress of Conseience, are not meerly for our speculation; not do we rightly use any Scripture History, unless we apply it to our selves, and draw some Lessons from it, for help us in our great business, and that must be suited to the design of it: and no Providences pass before us but we ought to observe them, so as to use them for our advantage.

5. The Lessons that we are to learn from such Examples, as these refer to two heads.

1. To nourish hope in us against despair. When upon the apprehension of our Sins, and the aggravations of them, we are ready to sink in encouragement, we should gather hope to our selves, by contemplating these, and fetching arguments of hope, and they are such as these.