_Shewing, how true devotion fills our lives the greatest peace and happiness that can be enjoyed in this world._
SOME people perhaps may object, that by thus living wholly unto GOD, and introducing a regard to his glory in all that we do, too great a restraint will be put upon human nature; and that by thus depriving ourselves of so many seemingly innocent pleasures, as such a way of life would hinder us from pursuing, we shall render our lives dull, uneasy, and melancholy.
But this objection is entirely groundless. For christian devotion requires us to renounce no ways of life, wherein we can act reasonably, and offer what we do to the glory of GOD. All ways of life, all satisfactions and enjoyments that are within these bounds, are no ways denied by the strictest rules of real devotion. And will you think that your life must be _uncomfortable_, unless you may displease GOD, be fools and mad, and act contrary to that reason and wisdom which He has implanted in you?
As for those satisfactions which we dare not offer to a holy GOD, which are only invented by the folly and corruption of the world, which inflame our passions, and sink our souls into grossness and sensuality, and thereby render us unmeet for communion with GOD here, and the eternal enjoyment of Him hereafter, surely it can be no uncomfortable state of life, to be rescued by religion from such murderers both of our souls and bodies.
Let us suppose a person destitute of that knowledge which we have from our senses, placed somewhere alone by himself, in the midst of a variety of things which he did not know how to use; that he has by him bread, wine, gold-dust, iron chains, gravel, garments, and fire. Let it be supposed, that he had no knowledge of the right use of these things, nor any direction from his senses how to quench his thirst, or satisfy his hunger, or make any use of the things about him. Let it be supposed, that in his drought he puts gold dust into his eyes; when his eyes smart, he puts wine into his ears; that in his hunger, he puts gravel in his mouth: that in pain, he loads himself with the iron chains; that feeling cold, he puts his feet in the water; that being frighted at the fire, he runs away from it; and that being weary, he makes a seat of his bread. Let it be supposed, that through his ignorance of the right use of the things that are about him, he will vainly torment himself whilst he lives; and at last die, blinded with dust, choaked with gravel, and loaded with irons. Let it be supposed, that some good being came to him, and shewed him the nature and use of all the things that were about him, and gave him such strict rules of using them, as would certainly, if observed, make him the happier for all that he had, and deliver him from the pains of hunger, and thirst, and cold; could you with any reason affirm, that those strict rules of using the things that were about him, had rendered that poor man’s life dull and uncomfortable?
Now this is, in some measure, a representation of the _strict rules_ of religion; they relieve our ignorance, save us from tormenting ourselves, and teach us to use every thing about us, not only to the glory of GOD, but to our own proper advantage.
If religion commands us to live wholly unto GOD, and to do all to his glory, it is because every other way of life is living wholly against ourselves, and will end in our own shame and confusion.
Would you see how happy they are, who live according to their own wills, and who cannot submit to the dull and melancholy business of a life devoted unto GOD, look at _Flatus_; _Flatus_ is rich and in health, yet always uneasy, and always searching after happiness.
At his first setting out in life, _fine cloaths_ was his delight; his enquiry was only after the best taylors and peruke-makers, and he had no thoughts of excelling in any thing but dress. He spared no expence, but carried every nicety to its greatest height. But this happiness not answering his expectation, he left off his _brocades_, put on a plain coat, railed at fops and ♦beaux, and gave himself up to gaming with great eagerness.
♦ “beaus” replaced with “beaux”
This new pleasure satisfied him for some time: he envied no other way of life. But being by the fate of _play_ drawn into a _duel_, where he narrowly escaped his death, he left off the _dice_, and sought for happiness no longer amongst the gamesters.
The next thing that seized his wandering imagination, was the _diversions_ of the town; and for more than a twelvemonth, you heard him talk of nothing but ladies, drawing-rooms, birth-nights, plays, balls, and assemblies. But growing sick of these, he had recourse to hard drinking. Here he had many a merry night, and met with stronger joys than any he had felt before. Here he had thoughts of setting up his staff, and looking out no farther; but unluckily falling into a _fever_, he grew angry at all strong liquors, and took his leave of the happiness of being drunk.