The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

3. Consider, How gracious the terms are upon which Heaven is promised in the Gospel, Our Saviour's Laws are so holy, just, and in their own Nature so good to Men, even in their present performance, that their own excellence and equity and sweetness is sufficient to recommend them without a respect to the glorious Reward of Obedience. For what can be more desirable than conformity to the Nature of the blessed God? What Pleasure is comparable to that which springs from a pure Conscience, from a godly righteous and sober Conversation? How joyful is the performance of that Service which more immediately is directed to the honour ⟨p. 225⟩of the Divine Majesty? in Prayer and other sacred actions we draw near to the Fountain of Felicity, and receive from his fullness. In the affectionate Praises of God we are Companions of the Angels. And is not Integrity and Honesty in our dealings with Men more easy and comfortable than Fraud and Oppression? Is it not troublesome to be always under a Mask, to use arts and disguises to avoid the reproach and revenge that attends unjust actions when discovered? Are Temperance and Chastity as hurtful to the Body, as Luxury and Lasciviousness the essential parts of carnal Felicity? How miserably distracted is Man when the Heart is rent with numberless Vanities, the Affections divided between various Objects! how quiet and composed, when the Heart is united to God as the supreme Good, and the Affections joyfully conspire in his Service! Can it then be pretended that the Yoke of Christ is heavy, and his Law hard? Or are his Promises uncertain, and his Reward small? No, his Commands are not grievous; in the keeping them there is a great Reward, a present Paradise. Religion will make us happy hereafter in the enjoyment of ⟨p. 226⟩God, and happy here in Obedience to his Holy Will. Such is his Goodness that our Duty and Happiness are the same.

3. Consider, How gracious the terms are upon which Heaven is promised in the Gospel, Our Saviour's Laws are so holy, just, and in their own Nature so good to Men, even in their present performance, that their own excellence and equity and sweetness is sufficient to recommend them without a respect to the glorious Reward of Obedience. For what can be more desireable than conformity to the Nature of the blessed God? What Pleasure is comparable to that which springs from a pure Conscience, from a godly righteous and sober Conversation? How joyful is the performance of that Service which more immediately is directed to the honour