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spicuous in the life of Christ, and is a rare pattern for believers imitation, John iv. 32, 34. " But he said unto them, I have meat " to eat that ye know not of, my meat is to do the will of him that " sent me, and to finish his work." The delights of Christ were all in heaven. The Son of man was in heaven, in respect of de- light in God, while he conversed here among men. And if you be Christ's, heavenly things will be the delight of your souls also. Now spiritual delight is nothing else but the complacency and well- pleasedness of a renewed heart, in conversing with God, and the things of God, resulting from the agreeableness of them to the spi- ritual temper of his mind. Four things are considerable about spiritual delight.
First, The nature of it, which consisteth in the complacency, rest, and satisfaction of the mind in God and spiritual things. The heart of a Christian is centered, it is where it would be ; it is gratified in the highest, in the actings forth of faith and love upon God ; as the taste is gratified with a suitable delicious relish, Psal. Ixiii. 5, 6. Psal. cxix. 14, 24. Psal. xvii. 18.
Secondly, The object of spiritual delight, which is God himself, and the things which relate to him. He is the blessed ocean into which all the streams of spiritual delight do pour themselves, Psal. Ixxiii. 25. " Whom have I in heaven but thee, and on earth there " is none that I desire in comparison of thee."
Thirdly, The subject of spiritual delight, which is a renewed heart, and that only so far as it is renewed, Rom. vii. 22. " I de- " light in the law of God after the inward man."
Fourthly, The principle and spring of this delight, which is the agreeableness of spiritual things to the temper and frame of a re- newed mind. A sensitive pleasure arises from the suitableness of the faculty and object. So it is here, no delicious sweetness can be so pleasant to the taste, or beautiful colours to the eye, or melodi- ous sounds to the ear, as spiritual things to renewed souls, be- cause spiritual senses are delicate, and the objects more excellent.
But my business here is not so much to open its nature, as to press you to the practice thereof in conformity to your great pattern, whose life was a life of delight in God, and whose work was per- formed with the greatest delight in God. " I delight to do thy " will, O my God." O Christians, strive to imitate your pattern in this. And to encourage you, I will briefly hint a few things.
First, Scarce any thing can be more evidential of sincerity than a heart delighting in God, and the will of God. Hypocrites go as far as others in the material parts of duties, but here they are de- fective ; they have no delight in God and things spiritual ; but do whatsoever they do in religion, from the compulsions of conscience^ or accommodations of self-ends.
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Secondly, An heart delighting in God will be a choice help and means to perseverance. The reason why many so easily part with religion is, because their souls never tasted the sweetness of it ; they never delighted in it ; but the Christian who delights in the law of God will be meditating on it day and night, and shall be like a tree planted by a river of water, whose leaf fadeth not, Psal. i. 2,3.
Thirdly, This will represent religion very beautifully to such as are yet strangers to it ; you will then be able to invite them to Christ by your example, the language whereof will be like that, Psal. xxxiv. 8. " O taste and see that God is good."
Fourthly, This will make all your services to God very pleasing and acceptable through Christ ; you will now begin to do the will of God on earth, as it is done in heaven ; your duties are so far an- gelical as they are performed in the strength of delight in God.
Object. But may not a sincere Christian act in duty without de- light ? Yea, may he not feel some kind of weariness in duties ?
Solid. Yes, doubtless he may ; but then we must distinguish be- twixt the temper and distemper of a renewed heart ; the best. hearts are not always in the right frame.
Pattern 6. The inoffensiveness of the life of Christ upon earth is an excellent pattern to all his people ; he injured none, offended none, but was holy and harmless, as the apostle speaks, Heb. vii. 26. He denied his own liberty to avoid occasion of offence ; as in the case of the tribute-money, Mat. xix. 27. " The children are " free, notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go," &c. So circumspect was Christ, and inoffensive among all men, that though his enemies sought occasion against him, yet could they find none, Luke vi. 7. Look unto Jesus, O ye professors of religion ; imitate him in this gracious excellency of his life, according to his com- mand, Phil. ii. 15. " That ye may be harmless and blameless, the " sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and per- " verse nation." You are indeed allowed the exercise of your prudence, but not a jot farther than will consist with your inno- cence. " Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." It is the rule of Christ that you offend none, 1 Cor. x. 32. 2 Cor. vi. 3. And to engage you to the imitation of Christ in this, I must briefly press it with a few encouragements, which methinks should prevail with any heart that is truly gracious.
First, For the honour of Jesus Christ, be you inoffensive, his name is called upon you, his honour is concerned in your deport- ment; if your carriage in the world give just matter of offence, Christ's worthy name will be blasphemed thereby, Jam. ii. 7. Your inoffensive carriage is the only means to stop the mouths of de- tractors, 1 Pet. ii. 1-5.
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Secondly, For the sake of souls, the precious and immortal souls of others, be wary that you give no offence : " Wo to the world, (saith Christ,) because of offence," Matth. xiii. 7. Nothing was more commonly objected against Christ and religion by the Hea- thens in Cyprian's time, than the loose and scandalous lives of pro- fessors : * " Behold, say they, these are the men who boast them- " selves to be redeemed from the tyranny of Satan, to be dead to " the world ; nevertheless, see how they are overcome by their " own lusts.1' And much after the same rate Salvian brings in the wicked of his time, stumbling at the looseness of professors, and say- ing, AVhere is that catholic law which they believe ? Where are the examples of piety and chastity which they have learned ? &c.
0 Christians, draw not the guilt of other men's eternal ruin upon your souls.
Thirdly, In a word, answer the ends of God in your sanctifica- tion and providential dispose in the world this way; by the holi- ness and harmlessness of your lives, many may be won to Christ,