§. 5. Direct. 5. Take special notice of the Reasons why God commandeth you to Delight in him, and 1consequently how much of Religion consisteth in these Delights. 1. Thou vilifiest and dishonourest him,2 if thou judge him not the worthiest for thy Delights. 2. If thou Delight not in him, thy Thoughts of God will be seldom or unwelcome and unpleasant Thoughts. 3. And thy speeches of him will be seldom, or heartless, forced speeches. Who knoweth not how readily our thoughts and tongues 3do follow our Delight? Be it House, or Land, or Books, or Friends, or Actions which are our delight, we need no force to bring our thoughts to them. The worldling thinks and tasteth of his wealth and business; the proud man of his dignities and honour, the voluptuous beast of his lusts and sports, and meats and drinks; because they most delight in these. And so must the Christian of his God, and Hopes, and Holy business, as being his Delight. 4. It will keep you away from Holy duties, in which you should have communion with God, if you have no Delight in God and them. This makes so many neglect both public and secret worship, because they have no delight in it; when those that Delight in it are ready in taking all opportunities. 5. It will corrupt your judgements, and draw you to think that a little is enough, and that serious diligence is unnecessary preciseness, and that one quarter of your duty is an excess. A man that hath no Delight in God and Godliness, is easily drawn to think that little, and seldom, and cold, and formal, and heartless, lifeless Preaching and Praying may serve the turn; and any lip-service is acceptable to God; and that more is more ado than needs: And hence he will be further drawn to reproach those that go beyond him, to quiet his own Conscience, and save his own reputation; and at last to be a forlorn satanical reviler, hater and persecutor of the serious holy worshippers of God. J•r, 6. 10. Behold the word of the Lord, is a reproach to them: thy have no delight in it: Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord—6. If you Delight not in it, you will do that which you do without a heart, with backwardness and weariness: as your Ox draweth unwillingly in the yoke, and is glad when you ⟨p. 164⟩unyoke him, and as your horse that goeth against his will, and will go no longer than he feels the spu•: when Delight would cause alacrity and unweariedness. 7.
§. 5. Direct. 5. Take special notice of the Reasons why God commandeth you to Delight in him, and 1consequently how much of Religion consisteth in these Delights. 1. Thou vilifiest and dishonourest him,2 if thou judge him not the worthiest for thy Delights. 2. If thou Delight not in him, thy Thoughts of God will be seldom or unwelcome and unpleasant Thoughts. 3. And thy speeches of him will be seldom, or heartless, forced speeches. Who knoweth not how readily our thoughts and tongues 3do follow our Delight? Be it House, or Land, or Books, or Friends, or Actions which are our delight, we need no force to bring our thoughts to them. The worldling thinks and tasteth of his wealth and business; the proud man of his dignities and honour, the voluptuous beast of his lusts and sports, and meats and drinks; because they most delight in these. And so must the Christian of his God, and Hopes, and Holy business, as being his Delight. 4. It will keep you away from Holy duties, in which you should have communion with God, if you have no Delight in God and them. This makes so many neglect both publick and secret worship, because they have no delight in it; when those that Delight in it are ready in taking all opportunities. 5. It will corrupt your judgements, and draw you to think that a little is enough, and that serious diligence is unnecessary preciseness, and that one quarter of your duty is an excess. A man that hath no Delight in God and Godliness, is easily drawn to think that little, and seldom, and cold, and formal, and heartless, lifeless Preaching and Praying may serve the turn; and any lip-service is acceptable to God; and that more is more ado than needs: And hence he will be further drawn to reproach those that go beyond him, to quiet his own Conscience, and save his own reputation; and at last to be a forlo•n satanical reviler, hater and persecuter of the serious holy worshippers of God. J•r, 6. 10. Behold the word of the Lord, is a reproach to them: thy have no delight in it: Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord—6. If you Delight not in it, you will do that which you do without a heart, with backwardness and weariness: as your Oxe draweth unwillingly in the yoak, and is glad when you ⟨p. 164⟩unyoak him, and as your horse that goeth against his will, and will go no longer than he feels the spu•: when Delight would cause alacrity and unweariedness. 7.
- 1Direct. 5.
- 2Reasons for Delight in God.
- 3••tari in Deo est •es omnium summa in terr•s. B••••o•t •er.
