Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

2 COR. 1. 12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-wards.

2 COR. 1. 12. For our rejoycing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-wards.

IT is no great business, but a very ordinary thing for a man to be cheerful when he is in prosperity, and hath all things in the World smiling on him (though often, even in the midst of that laughter the heart is sorrowful, and there is an emptiness, and utter insufficiency in all these things, to make the heart truly glad) but this is a great matter, a very rare thing, and to be found but with very few, viz. In the midst of afflictions, reproaches, tribulations and persecutions to be cheerful, and rejoicing, and (as it is, Isa. 24. 15. to be glorifying God in the midst of the fires; This is Pauls practice, and exercise here, who being (as the words before hold forth) brought so near death, that he even despaired of life; who having to do with Professors and Preachers of the Gospel, that made it their business to defame his Person, and to depreciate, and disparage his Ministry; Who being reviled, buffeted, persecuted, and counted as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things; who being always delivered unto death; and made a gazing ⟨p. 185⟩stock to the world, to angels, to men; and being moreover put to wrestle not only with flesh and blood, but also with principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places; yet hath this for his rejoicing, the testimony of his conscience, &c.