Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

2. It may be they are not in their element, in the acts of Religion, and therefore they cannot express their spiritual cheerfulness; a fish cannot delight it self on the Earth, but when it is in the water; a Bird doth not sing on the ground, but when it is got up into the air; Gods people cannot rejoice in sin, as drunkards and revellers do; but when their hearts are in Religious exercises, and in communion with God, they are merry and pleasant.

2. It may be they are not in their element, in the acts of Religion, and therefore they cannot express their spiritual cheerfulness; a fish cannot delight it self on the Earth, but when it is in the water; a Bird doth not sing on the ground, but when it is got up into the air; Gods people cannot rejoyce in sin, as drunkards and revellers do; but when their hearts are in Religious exercises, and in communion with God, they are merry and pleasant.

3. It may be they are in such company as may make them sad: the men of the World object against Saints, that they are heavy, and sour, and melancholy men; but in the mean time they consider not that their swearing, revelling, and dishonouring of God hath made them so pensive. Why sinners! your carriage grieves the very Spirit of God,¹ You grieve God at the heart, as it is expressed, Gen. 6.6. and therefore no wonder if the godly cannot rejoice in your sinful society; you are the cause of their sadness; but admit them once into the company and fellowship of the Saints, and they know how to be joyful.

3. It may be they are in such company as may make them sad: the men of the World object against Saints, that they are heavy, and sowr, and melancholy men; but in the mean time they consider not that their swearing, revelling, and dishonouring of God hath made them so pensive. Why sinners! your carriage grieves the very Spirit of God,