6. A conceited fear, least the practice of Piety should make a Man (especially a young Man) to wax too sad and pensive; whereas indeed none can better joy, nor have more cause to rejoice, than pious ⟨p. 125⟩and religious Christians. For as soon as they are justified by faith, 1they have peace with God, than which there can be no greater joy. Besides, they have already the Kingdom of grace descended into their hear•s, as an assurance that (in God's good time) they shall ascend into his Kingdom of glory. This Kingdom of grace consists in three things:2 First, Righteousness, for having Christ's righteousness to justify them before God, they endeavour to live righteously before men. Secondly, Peace, for the peace of conscience inseparably followeth a righteous conversation. Thirdly, the joy of the Holy Ghost, which joy is only felt in the peace of a good conscience; and is so great, 3that it passeth all understanding. No tongue can express it, no heart can conceive it,4 but only he that feels it.5 This is that fullness of joy which Christ promised his Disciples, in the midst of their troubles, a joy that no man could take from them. The feeling of this joy, David upon his repentance begged so earnestly at the hands of God;6 Restore me to the joy of thy salvation. And if the Angels in Heaven rejoice so much at the conversion of a sinner, 7the joy of a sinner converted must needs be exceeding great in his own heart. It is worldly sorrow that snows so timely upon men's heads,8 and fills the furrows of their hearts, with the sorrows of death. The godly sorrow of the Godly (when God thinks it meet to try them) causeth in them repentance not to be repented of; ⟨p. 126⟩for it doth but further their salvation; and in all such tribulation, they shall be sure to have the Holy Ghost to be theira Comforter; who willb make our consolation to abound through Christ, as the sufferings of Christ shall abound in us. but whilst a man liveth in impiety, he hath (c) no peace, saith Isaiah; dhis laughter is but madness (saith Solomon) his riches are but eclay (saith Habakkuk) nay, the Apostle accounts them no better thanf dung, 15in comparison of the pious man's treasure; all his joys shall end in woes, saith Christ. Let not therefore this false fear hinder thee from the practice of Piety. Better it is to go sickly (with Lazarus) to Heaven, than full of mirth and pleasure with Dives to Hell.
6. A conceited fear, least the practice of Piety should make a Man (especially a young Man) to wax too sad and pensive; whereas indeed none can better joy, nor have more cause to rejoyce, than pious ⟨p. 125⟩and religious Christians. For as soon as they are justified by faith, 1they have peace with God, than which there can be no greater joy. Besides, they have already the Kingdom of grace descended into their hear•s, as an assurance that (in God's good time) they shall ascend into his Kingdom of glory. This Kingdom of grace consists in three things:2 First, Righteousness, for having Christ's righteousness to justifie them before God, they endeavour to live righteously before men. Secondly, Peace, for the peace of conscience inseparably followeth a righteous conversation. Thirdly, the joy of the Holy Ghost, which joy is only felt in the peace of a good conscience; and is so great, 3that it passeth all understanding. No tongue can express it, no heart can conceive it,4 but only he that feels it.5 This is that fulness of joy which Christ promised his Disciples, in the midst of their troubles, a joy that no man could take from them. The feeling of this joy, David upon his repentance begged so earnestly at the hands of God;6 Restore me to the joy of thy salvation. And if the Angels in Heaven rejoyce so much at the conversion of a sinner, 7the joy of a sinner converted must needs be exceeding great in his own heart. It is worldly sorrow that snows so timely upon men's heads,8 and fills the furrows of their hearts, with the sorrows of death. The godly sorrow of the Godly (when God thinks it meet to try them) causeth in them repentance not to be repented of; ⟨p. 126⟩for it doth but further their salvation; and in all such tribulation, they shall be sure to have the Holy Ghost to be their
- 1Rom, 5. 2.
- 2Rom. 14, 17.
- 3Phil. 4. 7.
- 4Joh. 16. 24.
- 5Verse 22.
- 6Psal. 51. 12.
- 7Luk. 15. 7, 10.
- 82 Cor. 7. 10.
- aJoh. 14. 16, 17.
- b2 Cor. 1. 5.
- cIsa. 57. 21.
- dEccles. 2. 2.
- eHeb. 2. 6.
- fPhil. 3. 8.
- 15Luke 6. 25.
