he shall find it in the possession of power, the exertion of influ- ence, and the success of his plans. The philosopher imagines, that it must surely be found in his diversified and laborious researches ; whilst the devotee follows after it with confidence in cloistered seclusion, in religious contemplation, and in the ob- servance of ceremonies of man's invention. Others pursue a widely different course. The voluptuary follows after his object in a way of sensual gratification, and in the unrestrained indul- gence of all his appetites. The gamester affects rather the ex- citement of his feelings in another way ; and hopes, that, in the exultation arising from successful hazard, and from sudden gain, he shall enjoy the happiness which his soul panteth after. The miser, on the other hand, will neither risk, nor spend more than he can avoid ; but seeks his good in an accumulation of riches, and a conceit, that he possesses what shall abundantly suffice for the supply of all his future wants. We might pursue the subject through all the different departments of life ; but sufficient has been said to shew, that all are inquiring after good. True indeed it is, that many seek their happiness in evil, as the drunkard, the robber, and all other transgressors of God's laws. But no man seeks evil as evil ; he seeks it under the idea of good, and. from the expectation that, circumstanced as he is, the thing which he does will, on the ivhole, most contribute to his hap- piness.]
This inquiry after good is in itself commendable, and proper to be indulged —
[The brute creation are directed by instinct to things which are conducive to their welfare : but man must have his pursuits regulated by the wisdom and experience of others, to whom therefore he must look up for instruction. But it is much to be regretted that the generality inquire rather of the ignorant than of the well-instructed, and follow their passions rather than their reason. If men would but go to the holy Scriptures, and take counsel of their God, they would soon have their views rectified, and their paths directed into the way of peace.]
To such inquiries we proceed to state, II. The Believer's answer —
The Believer's answer comes not from his head merely, but from his heart. There he has a fixed and rooted principle, which tells him, that happiness is to be found in God alone : so that, despising in comparison all other objects, he says, " Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon mel" ** In thy favour is life," and " thy loving-kindness is better to me than life itself."
That
334.] god's favour the only substantial good. 15
That a sense of the Divine favour is the best and greatest good, will appear from the following consi- derations :
1 . It gives a zest to all other good —
[Let a man possess all that the world can bestow, the greatest opulence, the highest honours, the kindest friends, the dearest connexions, his happiness will after all be very contracted, if he have not also the light of God's countenance lifted up upon him. But let him be favoured with the Divine presence, he will taste, not the comfort merely that is in the creature, but God's love in the creature. This will be like the sun shining on a beau- tiful prospect, every object of which receives a ten-fold beauty from his rays ; whilst the spectator himself, revived with its cheering influence, has his enjoyment of them exceedingly en- hanced. Here David, amidst all his elevation to dignity and power, found his happiness^: and here alone, whatever else we may enjoy, can it be truly found''.]
2. It supplies the place of all other good —
[Let a person be destitute not only of the fore-mentioned comforts, but also of health, and liberty, and ease, yet will he, in the light of God's countenance, find all that his soul can desire. Behold Paul and Silas in prison, with their feet in the stocks, and their backs torn with scourges ; are they unhappy ? No ; they sing ; they sing aloud at midnight : and what is it that thus enables them to rise above all the feelings of humanity ? it is their sense of the Divine presence, and of his blessing upon their souls. And in like manner may the poorest and most des- titute of all the human race exult, if only the love of God be shed abroad in his heart : he may adopt the language of St. Paul, and speak of himself " as having nothings and yet possessing all things^"]