3. The enjoyments of Christianity are very pleasing. I add this to show you, that it is not all in expectation, if we consider not only what we shall be, but what we are. For the present : —
[1.] We have peace of conscience, Rom. v. 1 ; Mat. xi. 29 ; Phil, iv. 7. Rest for our souls is anxiously sought after in other things, but only found in Christ's religion, and living according to the precepts and institutions thereof. As Noah's dove found not a place whereon to rest the sole of her foot, so we flutter up and down, but never have any firm peace of heart and conscience, till we submit to Christ, and take his counsel.
[2.] A sense of the love of God : Rom. v. 5, ' Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given unto us ;' and 1 Peter ii. 3, ' If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.'
[3.] God's presence with us, and our communion with him; 1 John i. 3, 4, ' And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, that your joy may be full ;' and John viii. 29.
[4.] Access to God, with assurance of welcome and audience: John xvi. 24, ' Whatsoever ye ask in my name, ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.'
[5.] The foretastes of the life to come, Rom. viii. 23, and 2 Cor. iii. 5. So that all is to stir up this delight and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. The precepts of Christ show that we have matter of rejoicing in him. What are the great duties required ? To love God ! Now what pain is it to delight in the Lord as our all-sufficient portion ? To be mindful of him, and meditate of his excellencies and benefits : Ps. civ. 34, ' My meditation of him shall be sweet ; I will be glad in the Lord,' Is it any toilsome thing to come in a childlike manner and
VOL. II. c
34 A DESCUIPTION OF [PhIL. HI. 3.
unbosom ourselves to him, and bei^ the renewed testimonies of his love to us, especially when set awork by the Holy Ghost? Gal. iv. (5. To believe in (jhrist is difficult, but pleasant ; to consider the Lord Jesus as the suitable remedy for the lapsed estate of mankind, both as to his work with God and us, Heb. iii. 1. He came to destroy sin and misery. Whenever we reflect upon Christ, what do we find but ample f^rounds of joy ? John xiv. 2, ' Let not your hearts be troubled ; ye believe in God, believe also in me ;' that is, to get off our trouble, consider we have an all-sufficient God, and an all-sufficient mediator: Rom. XV. 13, ' Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in l)eHeving, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.' Repentance requireth sorrow for sin, only as it tendeth to joy and comfort. Mat. v. 5. It is a tormenting, but a curing sorrow. The word of God taketh care that a penitent, who hath foully miscarried, should not be swallowed up of over-much grief, 2 Cor. ii. 7. In the general, repentance and mortification are our physic to expel the noxious humours that would bring us, not only to death, but to dam- nation, and to keep tlie soul in due plight and health. And then, for self-government, we are to bridle our passions and appetites: Gal. v. 24, ' They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts.' The bridling our passions, it is but forbidding us to be miserable, and throw out everything that would disquiet the soul. Christ's great care was that the reasonable creature might live in peace and holy security, therefore hath discharged our cares, and sorrows, and fears : our cares, that they might not distract our minds: Phil. iv. 6, ' Be careful for nothing ;' and 1 Peter v. 7, ' Cast all your care upon the Lord.' These prohibitions show you the goodness of Christ. He hath made it unlawful for you to be troubled, and to per- plex your minds with anxious and distrustful thoughts. Oh ! what pleasant lives we might live if we could entirely cast ourselves into the arms of God, and refer all things to the wisdom and powerful conduct of his providence ! The scripture is as plentiful also in for- bidding sorrow: 1 Thes, iv. 13, 'Sorrow not as those that are without hope.' Dejection and anguish of spirit is your sin. So for fear : Isa. xli. 10, ' Fear not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I am thy God ;' Heb. xiii. 6, ' So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me.' What should a Christian fear ? Dangers by the way ? — God is his helper. To be cast into hell •when he goeth out of the world ? — Christ hath showed him how to flee from wrath to come ; he feareth it with a fear of caution, so as to shun it, but not with a fear of perplexity, so as to disquiet and perplex his Boul, for Jesus hath delivered him from wrath to come, 1 Thes. i. 10. Christianity is as contrary to sadness and misery, as life to death, and light to darknes.s. For the other, the crucifying and bridling of our lusts, which carry us to the good things of this world, why, that is troublesome, to be debarred of the delights which nature affects; but here are no rigorous exactions, but such as are agreeable to the reason- able nature. Christ hath forbidden us no pleasure but wliat may be a sin or a snare to us ; he would not have man to degenerate and turn beast. All Christ's restraints are but necessary cautions for our safety. Is it burdensome to a man to keep out of danger's way, and to avoid