A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

11. And as it is not the state and life of a Christian, but his fasting days, or time of Physic, so the comforts of the godly ordinarily do far exceed their sorrows, at least in weight, if not in passionate sense. They have their hours of sweet access to God, and of heavenly meditation, and delightful remembrance of the experiences of his love, and perusal of his promises, and communion with his people; and of the exercise of faith, and ⟨p. 339⟩hope, and love. And with those Christians that have attained stability and strength, these comforting graces are predominant: and their life is more in Love and Praise, then in vexatious fears and sorrows: And it should be so with all believers: Love is the Heart of the new creature. It is a life of Love and Joy and praise that Christ calls all his people to; and forbids them all unnecessary doubts and sorrows; and keepeth them up so strictly from sin, that he may prevent their sorrows. And if you will judge whether Holiness be a pleasant course, you must go to the prescript, and consider the nature and use of Holiness, and look at those that live according to the mercies of the Gospel; and not look at the dejections and sorrows of those that grieve themselves by swerving from the way of Holiness: as if you would judge that Health is unpleasant, because you hear a sick man groan. And yet even these weak and mournful Christians usually have more joy then you. The very preservation of their souls from that despair which sin would cast them into if they had not a Christ to fly to, and the little tastes of mercy which they have felt, and the revivings that they find between their sorrows, and the hopes they have of better days, are enough to weigh down all your pleasures and all their own sorrows.

11. And as it is not the state and life of a Christian, but his fasting days, or time of Physick, so the comforts of the godly ordinarily do far exceed their sorrows, at least in weight, if not in passionate sense. They have their hours of sweet access to God, and of heavenly meditation, and delightful remembrance of the experiences of his love, and perusal of his promises, and communion with his people; and of the exercise of faith, and ⟨p. 339⟩hope, and love. And with those Christians that have attained stability and strength, these comforting graces are predominant: and their life is more in Love and Praise, then in vexatious fears and sorrows: And it should be so with all believers: Love is the Heart of the new creature. It is a life of Love and Joy and praise that Christ calls all his people to; and forbids them all unnecessary doubts and sorrows; and keepeth them up so strictly from sin, that he may prevent their sorrows. And if you will judge whether Holiness be a pleasant course, you must goe to the prescript, and consider the nature and use of Holiness, and look at those that live according to the mercies of the Gospel; and not look at the dejections and sorrows of those that grieve themselves by swerving from the way of Holiness: as if you would judge that Health is unpleasant, because you hear a sick man groan. And yet even these weak and mournful Christians usually have more joy then you. The very preservation of their souls from that despair which sin would cast them into if they had not a Christ to fly to, and the little tasts of mercy which they have felt, and the revivings that they find between their sorrows, and the hopes they have of better days, are enough to weigh down all your pleasures and all their own sorrows.