Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture

2. It is hearts ease, the very Sabbath and sweet repose of the soul. Thousands of poor Christians would part with all they possess in this world, to enjoy it, but it flies from them. The life that most of them live, is a life betwixt hopes and fears; their interest in Christ is very doubtful to them. Sometimes they are encouraged from sensible working• of grace, then all is dashed again, by the contrary stirrings and workings of their own corruptions. Now the Sun shines out clear, by and by the Heavens are over-cast and clouded again: But the assured Christian is at rest from those tormenting fears and jealousies, which my Text speaks of, that are as cruel as the grave, and as insufferable as coals of fire in a mans bosom. He can take Christ into the arms of his faith, and say, My Beloved is mine, and I am his. Return to thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

3. It is the pleasure of life; yea, the most rational, pure, and transporting pleasure. What is life without pleasure? And what pleasure is there in the world comparable to this pleasure? For let ⟨p. 198⟩the sealed and assured Believer consider, and compare, and he must needs find a joy and pleasure beyond the joy of the whole Earth. If he consider well what he is assured of, it is no common mercy, but Christ himself, and his love; a mercy incomprehensible by Men or Angels, Eph. 3. 19. Put Christ into the sensible possession of a Believer, and joy is no more under his command for that time; he can no more refuse to rejoice, than he that is tickled can forbear to laugh; and especially when his thoughts are exercised in comparing states and conditions, either his own with other mens, or his own now with what it was, and what it shall be. To think with thy self thus, I am assured of Christ and his love, my interest in him is sealed; but this is a mercy few enjoy besides me. There be millions of souls of equal value with mine by nature, that shall never enjoy such a mercy as this. Yea, the time was when I my self was far from it, in my unregenerate estate. Lord, how is it I had not then been sealed to Damnation? O, 'tis well with me for present, that I can call Christ my own; and yet it will be better and better. My condition will mend every day. I am