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

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;