Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Thirdly, if it be so, here is an aggravation of the ¹wickedness of those that shall take delight in sinful pleasures: God sees it is impossible for any of his creatures, but they must seek for pleasures some way, and that God might take our hearts to himself, ⟨p. 189⟩he hath provided ways wherein we may have pleasure, and an infinite aggravation it will be to your wickedness, to seek for pleasure in the ways of sin, in dishonouring God, when thou mayest have pleasure in honouring of God: Consider this, and let thy soul upbraid it self for abominable wickedness and ingratitude: There are ways of delight wherein God may be honoured, and my soul satisfied; there are other ways that have delight, but such ways as God will be dishonoured in them, and my soul endangered. Now when as God does give me a cup full of all delicacy to satisfy my thirst with, for me to take a cup of poison to satisfy my thirst with, this is folly, and this is abominable wickedness of mens hearts. God sets his cup of salvation, and tenders it in his ways to satisfy your souls withal, and the Devil comes with his cup of poison, and do but speak of delight, and when you are athirst, you rather take the cup of poison, then the cup of Salvation: the more delight there is in Gods ways, the more abominable is thy wickedness to forsake them.

Thirdly, if it be so, here is an aggravation of the ¹wickedness of those that shall take delight in sinful pleasures: God sees it is impossible for any of his creatures, but they must seek for pleasures some way, and that God might take our hearts to himself, ⟨p. 189⟩he hath provided ways wherein we may have pleasure, and an infinite aggravation it will be to your wickedness, to seek for pleasure in the ways of sin, in dishonoring God, when thou mayest have pleasure in honoring of God: Consider this, and let thy soul upbraid it self for abominable wickedness and ingratitude: There are ways of delight wherein God may be honored, and my soul satisfied; there are other ways that have delight, but such ways as God will be dishonored in them, and my soul endangered. Now when as God does give me a cup full of all delicacy to satisfie my thirst with, for me to take a cup of poyson to satisfie my thirst with, this is folly, and this is abominable wickedness of mens hearts. God sets his cup of salvation, and tenders it in his ways to satisfie your souls withal, and the Devil comes with his cup of poyson, and do but speak of delight, and when you are athirst, you rather take the cup of poyson, then the cup of Salvation: the more delight there is in Gods ways, the more abominable is thy wickedness to forsake them.

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Fourthly, hence the great scandal of the ways of godliness, that the world stumbles at, is taken away, they call them dumpish ways: The Saints of God never knew the mind of God if this be so. The world deals with the ways of God in this case, as they did with the Christians in the Primitive times; they used to put Christians into Bears and Dogs skins, or ugly creatures, and then bait them; and so the men of the world put Religion into ugly conceits, and then speak against them: and truly that they speak against, is only their own conceits, and not any thing in themselves; they are lovely and excellent, ⟨p. 190⟩and glorious, only they appear to be sad and evil, by the conceits thou hast put upon them.

Fourthly, hence the great scandal of the ways of godliness, that the world stumbles at, is taken away, they call them dumpish ways: The Saints of God never knew the minde of God if this be so. The world deals with the ways of God in this case, as they did with the Christians in the Primitive times; they used to put Christians into Bears and Dogs skins, or ugly creatures, and then bait them; and so the men of the world put Religion into ugly conceits, and then speak against them: and truly that they speak against, is only their own conceits, and not any thing in themselves; they are lovely and excellent, ⟨p. 190⟩and glorious, onely they appear to be sad and evil, by the conceits thou hast put upon them.

In the fifth place, by that which hath been said, ¹let all be drawn to the love of the ways of godliness. I have often hinted upon such an argument as this, and therefore will pass lightly over it. Fear not pleasure, trust God with it, thou shalt find enough. Wouldst thou never be sad? live well, says Bernard: Tell me, wouldst thou embrace the ²ways of Religion, if thou wert sure of pleasure? I call Heaven and Earth to record this day, that which I have spoken of the ways of wisdom are truths of God, they are not notions, not conceits, but certain realities. God hath engaged himself to make this good, and abundantly more; Oh come and taste how sweet the Lord is, do not stand aloof off; they may seem to be unpleasant ways a great way off, but when you come near, you will see delight. Wherefore all you that have been acquainted with the ways of wisdom, manifest this, that God hath brought you into blessed paths, that these things are true: Religion does mightily suffer by the Professors of it, when those that look on, see no such things manifested: It is our duty to rejoice in the Lord, and to walk in the ways of wisdom, as it may appear they are ways of pleasantness, to carry our selves delightfully in these delightful ways. Delightfulness in the ways of godliness puts a beauty upon them; It is an excellent similitude that Chrysostom hath to express this, As, says he, a beautiful face at all times is pleasing to the eye, but then especially when there is joy manifested in the countenance: joy in the face puts a new beauty, ⟨p. 191⟩and makes that which before was beautiful, to be exceeding beautiful, it puts a lustre upon beauty; so, though the ways of Religion be in themselves beautiful, yet when there is spiritual joy added, they appear then beautiful with a double beauty. We have a sweet promise, Isa. 65. 18. Oh that we could see it fulfilled! I will create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy; a joy even in the abstract, not only joyful, but a joy, and God will create this, it must be Gods work; and though to the eye of flesh and blood there be no matter of joy, yet God will create her people a joy. You know what charges the Prophet lays upon this; what a comely thing it is, and see that in any case you rejoice. Only take heed you do not mistake in pleasantness;

In the fifth place, by that which hath been said, ¹let all be drawn to the love of the ways of godliness. I have often hinted upon such an argument as this, and therefore will pass lightly over it. Fear not pleasure, trust God with it, thou shalt finde enough. Wouldst thou never be sad? live well, says Bernard: Tell me, wouldst thou embrace the ²ways of Religion, if thou wert sure of pleasure? I call Heaven and Earth to record this day, that which I have spoken of the ways of wisdom are truths of God, they are not notions, not conceits, but certain realities. God hath engaged himself to make this good, and abundantly more; Oh come and taste how sweet the Lord is, do not stand aloof off; they may seem to be unpleasant ways a great way off, but when you come near, you will see delight. Wherefore all you that have been acquainted with the ways of wisdom, manifest this, that God hath brought you into blessed paths, that these things are true: Religion does mightily suffer by the Professors of it, when those that look on, see no such things manifested: It is our duty to rejoyce in the Lord, and to walk in the ways of wisdom, as it may appear they are ways of pleasantness, to carry ous selves delightfully in these delightful ways. Delightfulness in the ways of godliness puts a beauty upon them; It is an excellent similitude that Chrysostom hath to express this, As, says he, a beautiful face at all times is pleasing to the eye, but then especially when there is joy manifested in the countenance: joy in the face puts a new beauty, ⟨p. 191⟩and makes that which before was beautiful, to be exceeding beautiful, it puts a lustre upon beauty; so, though the ways of Religion be in themselves beautiful, yet when there is spiritual joy added, they appear then beautiful with a double beauty. We have a sweet promise, Isa. 65. 18. Oh that we could see it fulfilled! I will create Jerusalem a rejoycing, and her people a joy; a joy even in the abstract, not onely joyful, but a joy, and God will create this, it must be Gods work; and though to the eye of flesh and blood there be no matter of joy, yet God will create her people a joy. You know what charges the Prophet lays upon this; what a comely thing it is, and see that in any case you rejoyce. Onely take heed you do not mistake in pleasantness;

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2. 2Vis nunquam esse tristis? bene vive. Bern. de intern. dom. c. 45

How shall we know the difference between natural ¹pleasantness in a Christian, and spiritual pleasantness.

1. 1Quest.

There may be a great many of temporal pleasures ¹that God gives forth to Christians in its place; but ²you must rise higher then that, and put another manner of lustre upon the ways of Religion then natural pleasantness.

There may be a great many of temporal pleasures ¹that God gives forth to Christians in its place; but ²you must rise higher then that, and put another maner of lustre upon the ways of Religion then natural pleasantness.

1. 1Answ.
2. 2Difference between natural pleasantness, and spiritual pleasantness.

First, if it be a spiritual pleasantness, it will be serious, such as becomes Christian gravity; Yea, not only seriousness and gravity is to be mixed with ¹pleasantness; but if it be spiritual pleasantness,

First, if it be a spiritual pleasantness, it will be serious, such as becomes Christian gravity; Yea, not onely seriousness and gravity is to be mixed with ¹pleasantness; but if it be spiritual pleasantness,

1. 11.

Secondly, it is such as can stand with fear, and the ¹work of repentance and humiliation; these do not ⟨p. 192⟩hinder a spiritual pleasantness, though it hinders that which is natural: You know the Scripture that says, Rejoice with trembling; and Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, and greatly delights in his Commandments: That is a spiritual pleasantness, which hath a gracious mixture of seriousness and other graces of Gods Spirit with it.

Secondly, it is such as can stand with fear, and the ¹work of repentance and humiliation; these do not ⟨p. 192⟩hinder a spiritual pleasantness, though it hinders that which is natural: You know the Scripture that says, Rejoyce with trembling; and Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, and greatly delights in his Commandments: That is a spiritual pleasantness, which hath a gracious mixture of seriousness and other graces of Gods Spirit with it.

1. 12.

Thirdly, Again, if it be a gracious pleasantness, it ¹is a delight in all the ways of wisdom; many can delight in some ways of wisdom, the stony ground received some truths with joy, but others they cannot close with; but when the pleasantness is spiritual, there is rejoicing in all.

Thirdly, Again, if it be a gracious pleasantness, it ¹is a delight in all the ways of wisdom; many can delight in some ways of wisdom, the stony ground received some truths with joy, but others they cannot close with; but when the pleasantness is spiritual, there is rejoycing in all.

1. 13.

Fourthly, Again, if the pleasantness be spiritual, it ¹is our strength, it carries on the soul in the ways of God more fully, it is oil that causes the wheels of thy soul to go on more freely in the ways of Religion. I appeal to thee, Does thy pleasantness carry thee on more sweetly in the ways of Religion? Thou hast been merry in company, but does this carry thee on more fully in the ways of God? If you have had pleasure in natural things, and when you come to spiritual things, your hearts are dead, certainly you went beyond your bounds.

Fourthly, Again, if the pleasantness be spiritual, it ¹is our strength, it carries on the soul in the ways of God more fully, it is oyl that causes the wheels of thy soul to go on more freely in the ways of Religion. I appeal to thee, Does thy pleasantness carry thee on more sweetly in the ways of Religion? Thou hast been merry in company, but does this carry thee on more fully in the ways of God? If you have had pleasure in natural things, and when you come to spiritual things, your hearts are dead, certainly you went beyond your bounds.

1. 14.

Fifthly, Again, if it be spiritual pleasantness, it ¹will bear up the heart in the want of all outward pleasantness, and though all outward content be taken away. Habak. 3. 17, 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the Vines, the labour of the Olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. When ⟨p. 193⟩all is dark abroad in the world, the soul does rejoice in God alone: A soul that hath but natural pleasantness of spirit, is all amort and down when any affliction befalls him. You that have the most delightful spirits, when you have friends, and all that you like, you are jocund and merry, but when affliction comes, how quickly are your spirits down? and how are you vexed and troubled? whereas if there were this spring of pleasantness in the heat, it would bear up the heart joyful in affliction; though servants and friends should cross, this delightfulness of spirit within would carry the heart on cheerfully: But those that are delightful when they are well pleased, yet every little thing that crosses them, makes them dumpish. This is another argument, it is not spiritual pleasantness their hearts are filled with, it is not from the delight they have found in the ways of God that makes them so merry. This by way of Caution.

Fifthly, Again, if it be spiritual pleasantness, it ¹will bear up the heart in the want of all outward pleasantness, and though all outward content be taken away. Habbak. 3. 17, 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the Vines, the labor of the Olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. When ⟨p. 193⟩all is dark abroad in the world, the soul does rejoyce in God alone: A soul that hath but natural pleasantness of spirit, is all amort and down when any affliction befals him. You that have the most delightful spirits, when you have friends, and all that you like, you are jocund and merry, but when affliction comes, how quickly are your spirits down? and how are you vext and troubled? whereas if there were this spring of pleasantness in the heatt, it would bear up the heart joyful in affliction; though servants and friends should cross, this delightfulness of spirit within would carry the heart on chearfully: But those that are delightful when they are well pleased, yet every little thing that crosses them, makes them dumpish. This is another argument, it is not spiritual pleasantness their hearts are filled with, it is not from the delight they have found in the ways of God that makes them so merry. This by way of Caution.

1. 15.

But if we be sure that our pleasantness is spiritual, let us expatiate our selves to the utmost: It is a work of grace to moderate all carnal pleasures, and to keep them down; but it is the special work of grace to expatiate the soul to the utmost in all spiritual pleasure: Therefore if God hath given thee this spring of delight and pleasure, expatiate it to the glory and praise of God. Blessed is the man that greatly delights in the ways of Gods Commandments: And if God takes pleasure in thee, how much more shouldst thou take pleasure in him! God gives out his pleasure to be joined to our pleasantness, and if we should not carry on the ways of Religion pleasantly, it will be a dishonour to God, and a disgrace to our ⟨p. 194⟩selves, and we cannot expect that acceptance from God of what we do, as otherwise we might; for as ¹God loves a cheerful Giver, so a cheerful Server.

But if we be sure that our pleasantness is spiritual, let us expatiate our selves to the utmost: It is a work of grace to moderate all carnal pleasures, and to keep them down; but it is the special work of grace to expatiate the soul to the utmost in all spiritual pleasure: Therefore if God hath given thee this spring of delight and pleasure, expatiate it to the glory and praise of God. Blessed is the man that greatly delights in the ways of Gods Commandments: And if God takes pleasure in thee, how much more shouldst thou take pleasure in him! God gives out his pleasure to be joyned to our pleasantness, and if we should not carry on the ways of Religion pleasantly, it will be a dishonor to God, and a disgrace to our ⟨p. 194⟩selves, and we cannot expect that acceptance from God of what we do, as otherwise we might; for as ¹God loves a chearful Giver, so a chearful Server.

1. 1Si quid boni tristis feceris fit de te potius quam facis Prosper

How shall we carry on the work of God pleasantly?

First, be sure to keep the heart right within, be sure ¹to keep all at peace within thy soul; you know according ²to the temper within, so there is the relishing of things without; He that hath peace within, can easily go through the duties that are required without with joy.

1. 1Quest.
2. 2Answ.

Further, exercise faith in the work and office of the ¹holy Ghost, that office that the holy Ghost is designed unto by the Father and the Son, to be the Comforter of his people, to bring joy and comfort to them; look upon the holy Ghost, as designed by the Father and the Son to bring joy and delight to the souls of his people. What an infinite difference there is between the comforts of a carnal heart, and the comforts of the godly? The one come from a little meat and drink, and the other come from the exercise of faith about the office of the holy Ghost that is designed to this work.

1. 1How to carry on the work of God pleasantly.

Thirdly, in all that thou doest, be sure to be upright: ¹Though thou beest able to do but a little in any way of God, if thou beest upright, God accepts of it, and and thou wilt find comfort: Thou sayest thy duties are mean; it may be so, but if thou beest upright, thou mayest have comfort, it becomes the upright to be joyful; whereas the most glorious performances, if they be not in uprightness, are but abominable.

Thirdly, in all that thou doest, be sure to be upright: ¹Though thou beest able to do but a little in any way of God, if thou beest upright, God accepts of it, and and thou wilt finde comfort: Thou sayest thy duties are mean; it may be so, but if thou beest upright, thou mayest have comfort, it becomes the upright to be joyful; whereas the most glorious performances, if they be not in uprightness, are but abominable.

1. 13.