1. The happiness of their minds —
[" Peace," in the Scripture use of the term, is not a mere absence of trouble, but an actual state of very sublime enjoy- ment. The person " who loves God's law" in the way before described, has, as the very first-fruits of his faith in Christ, a sense of reconciliation with God: " being justified by faith, he has peace with God : God has said to him, both by his word and Spirit, " Peace, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee." Combined with this, he has the testimony of a good conscience. Though he sees nothing in himself but what furnishes him with grounds for humiliation and self-abasement, he cannot be insensible of the change that has been wrought in him : he dares not deny the work of God in his soul. He has the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the testimony of his own spirit, concurring to assure him, that " old things have passed away within him, and all things become new :" and though he cannot attain that measure of perfection that he aspires after, he is conscious that, if he could, he would be " pure as God is pure," and " perfect as God is perfect." His daily and hourly employment brings in an abundance of peace to his soul. He is engaged in doing what he believes to be the will of God ; and he finds by sweet experience the truth of that saying, " The work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for everV Nor has he less comfort in looking forward to the eternal state. He is not left to be a prey to fears and apprehensions about his future destiny. He knows in whom he has believed, and that his God and Saviour is able to keep him unto that great and awful day. He sees also, that he has in Christ a right and title to the heavenly inheritance ; and that, " when the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved, he has a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Hence, instead of dreading the approach of death, he looks forward to it as the consummation of all his wishes, and the completion of all his happiness ; and " desires to depart, that he may be with Christ." Such is the peace which it is the privilege of all who love the Gospel to enjoy, and which Christ himself has left them as a most invaluable legacy, saying, " Peace I leave with you ; my peace I give unto you :" and verily it is " a peace which passeth all understanding."]
2. The stability of their goings —
[Those who have not this divine principle within them, are liable to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, and to be " moved from their steadfastness" by every temptation. But not so the true Christian, in whose heart the law of God
b Isai. xxxii. 17. See also Ps. xix. 11. and Prov. iii. 17.