of wealth ov honour, find all their pleasure in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Others more rationally seek their happiness in the acquisition of knowledge. While others seem contented to move, like a horse in a mill, in the same round of daily occupation, without aiming at any thing further than an exemption from trouble, and an easy passage through life.
But the true Christian, while he is alive to all the joys that are possessed by others, as far as they are pleasing to God, and profitable to his soul, has joys of a far higher nature. He has felt his need of mercy, and has found mercy through Christ Jesus. Hence the very name of " Jesus is precious to him :" and the richest gratification he can possibly enjoy is, to con- template the glory and excellency of his beloved. He does not indeed always feel the same delight in the Saviour ; but his richest consolations and sublimest joys arise from this source, insomuch that all the pleasures of sense are nothing in his eyes in comparison of one hour's fellowship with the Son of God f. Indeed he would not wish to be happy when he is at a distance from his Lord : in such a state he would consider happiness rather a curse than a blessing. But in whatever state he be with respect to temporal things, a sight of his adorable Saviour will render him completely happy g.
Here again let us inquire into our own experience. We need no surer test of our state than that before us. Let us
examine ourselves with care — ■ and " the Lord give us
understanding in all things !"]
III. They have no confidence in the flesh —
[The ungodly world, if in prosperity, " make gold their confidence11," and "trust in their uncertain riches1." If, on the other hand, they be in adversity, they look no higher than to their own exertions, or than to their earthly friends to deliver them. The same creature-confidence pervades all their spiritual concerns : they " lean altogether on an arm of flesh," and trust in their own goodness or repentance to recommend them to God, and their own strength and reso- lution to fulfil his will.
The true Christian is the very reverse of this. We say not that he has no bias towards these evils, for his old nature still remains within him : but his views with respect to these things are altogether altered; and, though he neglects not any means which are proper to be used, he trusts in God only to maintain his prosperity, or to restore it when he has been pleased to afflict him with any calamity. With respect to his
f Ps. iv. 6. g 1 Pet. i. 8.
h Job xxxi. 24. i 1 Tim. vi. 17.