7. Yea that we may have a Pleasant and comfortable life, the Lord hath forbidden our distracting cares and fears and doubts, and our inordinate sorrows; and commanded us to cast our care on him, and promised to care for us, 1 Pet. 5. 7. and he hath bid us be careful for nothing, but in all things make our wants known to him, Phil. 4. 6. And can there be a course of life more Pleasant then that which dost consist in faith, and Love, and hope, and Joy, that's built on God, and animated by him, and that excludeth inordinate cares and sorrows, as health doth sickness? where it is unlawful to be miserable and to grieve our selves, and no sorrow is allowed us, but that which tendeth to our joy; where it is made our work to Rejoice in the Lord, yea always to Rejoice, Phil. 4. 4. A servant or tradesman will judge of the pleasure of his life by his work. If his work be a drudgery, his life is tedious and filled with grief: If his work be Pleasant, his life is Pleasant. Judge then by this of a Holy life. Is it care, and fear, and anguish of mind that God commandeth you? no: it is these that he forbiddeth. [Care not: Fear not] are his injunctions, Isa. 35. 4. & 41. 10. Do you fear Reproach? Why, you do it contrary to the will of God, who biddeth you, [Fear not the reproach of men, Isa. 51. 7.] Do you fear the power and rage of enemies? Why it is contrary to your Religion so to do: God biddeth you, Fear them not, Isa. 43. 5, 13, 14. & 44. 2, 8. Do you fear persecution or death from the hands of cruel violence? why it is contrary to the will of God that you do so, Matth. 10. 26, 28, 31. Fear not them which kill the body, &c.] O blessed life! where all that is against us is forbidden: and all that is truly Joyous and delightful, and necessary to make us happy, is commanded us, and made our duty: which is contrary to misery, as life to death, and as light to darkness. Come hither poor deluded sinners that fly from care, and fear and sorrow: If you will but give up your selves to Christ, you shall be exempted from all these, except such as is necessary to your joy. You may do any thing, if you will be the servants of the Lord, ⟨p. 282⟩except that which tendeth to your own and other mens calamity. Come hither all you that call for pleasure, and love no life but a life of mirth. Let God be your master, and Holiness your work, and Pleasure then shall be your business:
7. Yea that we may have a Pleasant and comfortable life, the Lord hath forbidden our distracting cares and fears and doubts, and our inordinate sorrows; and commanded us to cast our care on him, and promised to care for us, 1 Pet. 5. 7. and he hath bid us be careful for nothing, but in all things make our wants known to him, Phil. 4. 6. And can there be a course of life more Pleasant then that which dost consist in faith, and Love, and hope, and Joy, thats built on God, and animated by him, and that excludeth inordinate cares and sorrows, as health doth sickness? where it is unlawful to be miserable and to grieve our selves, and no sorrow is allowed us, but that which tendeth to our joy; where it is made our work to Rejoyce in the Lord, yea always to Rejoyce, Phil. 4. 4. A servant or tradesman will judge of the pleasure of his life by his work. If his work be a drudgery, his life is tedious and filled with grief: If his work be Pleasant, his life is Pleasant. Judge then by this of a Holy life. Is it care, and fear, and anguish of mind that God commandeth you? no: it is these that he forbiddeth. [Care not: Fear not] are his injunctions, Isa. 35. 4. & 41. 10. Do you fear Reproach? Why, you do it contrary to the will of God, who biddeth you, [Fear not the reproach of men, Isa. 51. 7.] Do you fear the power and rage of enemies? Why it is contrary to your Religion so to do: God biddeth you, Fear them not, Isa. 43. 5, 13, 14. & 44. 2, 8. Do you fear persecution or death from the hands of cruel violence? why it is contrary to the will of God that you do so, Matth. 10. 26, 28, 31. Fear not them which kill the body, &c.] O blessed life! where all that is against us is forbidden: and all that is truly Joyous and delightful, and necessary to make us happy, is commanded us, and made our duty: which is contrary to misery, as life to death, and as light to darkness. Come hither poor deluded sinners that fly from care, and fear and sorrow: If you will but give up your selves to Christ, you shall be exempted from all these, except such as is necessary to your joy. You may do any thing, if you will be the servants of the Lord,
