A25241:1110
Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…
Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of Jesus as carrying on the great work of mans salvation from first to last / by Isaac Ambrose ...
London: printed for Richard Chiswel, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But how should we know the difference betwixt the natural pleasantness, and this Quest. 2 spiritual pleasantness in Religion? I know Christians may put a lustre upon the ways of God by their natural pleasantness, and cheerfulness of spirit; but because we speak of a spiritual joy, and comfort, and not of a natural, wherein lies the difference? I answer.—
But how should we know the difference betwixt the natural pleasantness, and this Quest. 2 spiritual pleasantness in Religion? I know Christians may put a lustre upon the wayes of God by their natural pleasantness, and chearfulness of spirit; but because we speak of a spiritual joy, and comfort, and not of a natural, wherein lies the difference? I answer.—
1. If it be a spiritual pleasantness, it will be serious; I have said of laughter it is mad, 1and of mirth what doth it? There is much lightness and vanity in such breakings out of natural pleasantness, but in spiritual pleasantness all is grave, and sober, and exceeding serious.
- 1Answ. Eccles. 2.2.
2. If it be a spiritual pleasantness, it can stand with repentance, and humiliation, and the fear of God, rejoice with trembling, saith the Psalmist;1 spiritual rejoicing may consist with trembling: And blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his Commandments; the fear of God may consist with these spiritual delights in the Commandments of God.