3 7o Of the Blefednefs of the Pure in Heart. S ER M. cated and received ; for, as the apoftle faith, XII1. 1 Car, ii. J 4. the natural man (that is the ani- mal man, the earthly, fenfual and vicious) receiveth not the things of the fpirit of God, for they are foolifln f unto him, neither can he know them, becau %e they are fpiritually d f cerned; and at the 9th and following verfes of the fame chapter, it is written, eye bath not Peen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God bath prepared for them that love him. But God bath revealed them unto us by his fpirit. Now we have not received the fpirit of the world, kit the fpirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The only point now remaining to be con, fidered under this head, is, the bleffednefs óf thus feeing or knowing, this clear and affectionate perfuafion concerning God, how- ever it be attained; and í think it appeareth very evidently ; for, firft, he is the molt ex- cellent of all objects. Knowledge in general, is an accornplifhment very fuitable to a ra- tional nature, and will appear to our firft reflections the glory of man, becaufe it is the proper improvement of that faculty, which is his diflinguifhing privilege above the inferior creatures ; it refineth and enobleth the
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