2. Our frame of mind should be more spiritual-
and more refined —
[I will not say that the body is not to participate in the emotions of our minds : for in this our fallen state svich a sym- pathy must of necessity be called forth by any intense feeling, whether of joy or sorrow. But there is a delicacy and refine- ment in the Christian's feehngs : and the less they savour of what is animal, the better. A Cliristian's joy is " the joy of the Holy Ghost:" and when it rises to the highest pitch, so as to be utterly " unspeakable," it is then a '^ glorijied ^oy,'' such as the glorified saints and angels experience in heaven ". Behold all of them before the throne of God : they are all prostrate on their faces, whilst yet they sing praises to God and to the Lamb. Their joy is a meek and holy joy: and sure I am that such is the joy that becomes us in this lower world, compassed as we are with so many infuinities. And I would the rather
1 Matt. vi. 6. >" Heb. X. 19—22.
" 1 Pet. i. 8. The Greek.
recommend that, because it will be less likely to cast a stum- bling-block before us, and less likely to deceive your own souls. I am far from justifying Miclial for casting such severe reflec- tions on David. But her spirit shews what feelings will be generated in the bosoms of the ungodly, by any thing which seems to border on excess. By an inattention to the feelings of others, we may do considerable injury both to ourselves and them also. Our Lord, therefore, cautions us " not to cast our pearls before swine, lest they tui'n again and rend us." On such occasions, I think, we should rather put a veil over our faces, as Moses did, than blind them by a splendour which they cannot bear. Yet we are not so to regard the ungodly, as to be deterred from serving God in any, and in every, way that he requires. But if we bear in mind the infirmities of others, we may the better hope to allure them to the service of their God, and to bring them to a participation of aU the blessings which we ourselves enjoy.]