CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

First, The soul can more intimately and fully receive it's object then the body can. Bodily and worldly pleasures are received in by the senses, which are but narrow doors and gates of the soul; but the soul of a man, what it receiveth, it doth let in with greater abundance: Hence if the Object be finite, and a mere creature, it cannot fill the heart: the heart is too big for it, only God is more then the heart can comprehend: Therefore all the pleasures, and all the joy that any man can take, though he set himself to it, as Solomon did, yet are but like the joy of tickling, or scratching, comparatively to those immense joys and consolations, which God vouchsafeth: Hence our Saviour saith, Your hearts shall rejoice, John 16.22. This heavenly joy is like Elisha's oil, that multiplieth exceedingly, and stayeth not, till thy cruises fail to receive it.

First, The soul can more intimately and fully receive it's object then the body can. Bodily and worldly pleasures are received in by the senses, which are but narrow doors and gates of the soul; but the soul of a man, what it receiveth, it doth let in with greater abundance: Hence if the Object be finite, and a meer creature, it cannot fill the heart: the heart is too bigg for it, onely God is more then the heart can comprehend: Therefore all the pleasures, and all the joy that any man can take, though he set himself to it, as Solomon did, yet are but like the joy of tickling, or scratching, comparatively to those immense joyes and consolations, which God vouchsafeth: Hence our Saviour saith, Your hearts shall rejoyce, John 16.22. This heavenly joy is like Elisha's oyl, that multiplieth exceedingly, and stayeth not, till thy cruises fail to receive it.

Secondly, This heavenly Joy surpasseth worldly in the pure and unmixed Nature of it. It's joy without sorrow; It's honey without any gall, called The fruits of Gods Spirit, because of the sweetness of it, as the Apostle saith, Perfect love casts out fear, tormenting fear. Thus joy from Christ, and in him, expels dejections, troubles of heart. No sooner doth this Sun arise, but all black and noisome vapours are dispelled. Here is a joy that is like the Elementary fire they speak of, pure and unmixed, here are no mixtures to debase it, or allay it: But as for those worldly delights, it's as a mad man that teareth his own flesh, and yet laugheth while he doth so; So thou eatest and drinkest, and makest merry, while thou damnest thy own soul.