XXIII. 1. A Christian indeed doth daily delight himself in God, and findeth more solid content and pleasure in his commands and promises, than ⟨p. 60⟩in all this world: His duties are sweet to him, and his hopes are sweeter. Religion is not a tiresome task to him, The yoke of Christ is easy to him, and his burden light, and his commandments are not grievous, Psal. 37.4. & 1.2. & 40.8. & 94.19. & 119.16.35.47.70. Mat. 11.28, 29. Joh. 5.3. That which others take as Physic, for mere necessity, against their wills, he goeth to as a feast, with appetite and delight. He prayeth because he loveth to pray: and he thinks and speaks of holy things, because he loveth to do it. And hence it is that he is so much in holy duty, and so unwearied, because he loveth it, and taketh pleasure in it. As voluptuous persons are oft, and long at their sports, or merry company, because they love them, and take pleasure in them: so are such Christians oft, and long in holy exercises because their hearts are set upon them, as their recreation and the way and means of their felicity. If it be a delight to a studious man, to read those books which most clearly open the abstrusest mysteries of the sciences; or to converse with the most wise and learned men, and if it be a delight to men, to converse with their dearest friends, or to hear from them and read their letters; no marvel if it be a delight to a Christian indeed to read the Gospel mysteries of Love, and to find there the promises of everlasting happiness, and to see in the face of Jesus Christ the clearest Image of the eternal deity: and foresee the Joys which he shall have for ever. He sticketh not in superficial formality, but breaking the shell doth feed upon the kernel: It is not bare external duty which he is taken up with: nor any mere creature that is his ⟨p. 61⟩content: but it is God in creatures and ordinances that he seeketh and liveth upon: and therefore it is that Religion is so pleasant to him. He would not change his Heavenly delights, which he findeth in the exercise of faith, and hope, and love to God, for all the carnal pleasures of this world: he had rather be a door keeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents or palaces of wickedness: A day in Gods court is better to him than a thousand, in the court of the greatest Prince on earth.
XXIII. 1. A Christian indeed doth daily delight himself in God, and findeth more solid content and pleasure in his commands and promises, than ⟨p. 60⟩in all this world: His duties are sweet to him, and his hopes are sweeter. Religion is not a tiresome task to him, The yoak of Christ is easie to him, and his burthen light, and his commandments are not grievous, Psal. 37.4. & 1.2. & 40.8. & 94.19. & 119.16.35.47.70. Mat. 11.28, 29. Joh. 5.3. That which others take as Physick, for meer necessity, against their wills, he goeth to as a feast, with appetite and delight. He prayeth because he loveth to pray: and he thinks and speaks of holy things, because he loveth to do it. And hence it is that he is so much in holy dutie, and so unwearied, because he loveth it, and taketh pleasure in it. As voluptuous persons are oft, and long at their sports, or merry company, because they love them, and take pleasure in them: so are such Christians oft, and long in holy exercises because their hearts are set upon them, as their recreation and the way and means of their felicity. If it be a delight to a studious man, to read those books which most clearly open the abstrusest mysteries of the sciences; or to converse with the most wise and learned men, and if it be a delight to men, to converse with their dearest friends, or to hear from them and read their letters; no marvel if it be a delight to a Christian indeed to read the Gospel mysteries of Love, and to find there the promises of everlasting happiness, and to see in the face of Jesus Christ the clearest Image of the eternal deity: and foresee the Joyes which he shall have for ever. He sticketh not in superficial formalitie, but breaking the shell doth feed upon the kernell: It is not bare external duty which he is taken up with: nor any meer creature that is his ⟨p. 61⟩content: but it is God in creatures and ordinances that he seeketh and liveth upon: and therefore it is that Religion is so pleasant to him. He would not change his Heavenly delights, which he findeth in the exercise of faith, and hope, and love to God, for all the carnal pleasures of this world: he had rather be a door keeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents or palaces of wickedness: A day in Gods court is better to him than a thousand, in the court of the greatest Prince on earth.
