2. There is a sweetness found in the way of Gods Testimonies, which ariseth from the conscience of practical obedience, not from contemplation only; and 'tis best to be found when we come to practise and perform what we know. It is said of Wisdom, Prov. 3. 17. All her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. There is not only a sweetness in our Privileges, but in our Duties. No man knoweth the contentment of walking closely with God, but he that hath tried. So Mic. 2. 7. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? Not only speak good, but do good. There is a certain performance of what the word saith; when it is said, it may be accounted done; but to whom? to them that know it, and are able to talk of it? No; but to them that walk. And will every slight endeavour and the presumption of conformity to the rule serve the turn? No, to them that walk uprightly, that sincerely frame themselves to obey Gods will with the greatest exactness and care they can use. Oh what good, what reviving of heart and cheerfulness do they find in this work! Briefly, this delight in the way of Gods Testimonies (that you may not be mistaken) differeth from that contentment and serenity of mind which is the fruit of integrity or moral sincerity. There is some degree of comfort that accompanieth any good action, as heat doth fire; the conscience so far as he doth good hath some kind of peace in it. The Heathens by Gods general bounty and goodness had a conscience excusing when they did good, as well as accusing when they did evil: Rom. 2. 15. Their thoughts in the mean time accusing, or else excusing one another, [Greek or Hebrew], by turns. And this excusing cannot be without some sweetness and contentment of mind. Sacer intra nos spiritus sedet, bonorum malorúmque nostrorum observator & custos, hic prout à nobis tractatus est ita nos ipse tractat, saith Seneca. This may be without faith; whereas we speak of such a joy as is founded in faith, though found in the ways of obedience in Christs service. Mat. 11. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. In short, there is delight the duty, and the dispensation; for it is both promised and required. Delight in Gods ways is promised as a gift of God, and as the result of our obedience. Isa. 58. 13, 14.
2. There is a sweetness found in the way of Gods Testimonies, which ariseth from the conscience of practical obedience, not from contemplation only; and 'tis best to be found when we come to practise and perform what we know. It is said of Wisdom, Prov. 3. 17. All her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. There is not only a sweetness in our Priviledges, but in our Duties. No man knoweth the contentment of walking closely with God, but he that hath tried. So Mic. 2. 7. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? Not only speak good, but do good. There is a certain performance of what the word saith; when it is said, it may be accounted done; but to whom? to them that know it, and are able to talk of it? No; but to them that walk. And will every slight endeavour and the presumption of conformity to the rule serve the turn? No, to them that walk uprightly, that sincerely frame themselves to obey Gods will with the greatest exactness and care they can use. Oh what good, what reviving of heart and chearfulness do they find in this work! Briefly, this delight in the way of Gods Testimonies (that you may not be mistaken) differeth from that contentment and serenity of mind which is the fruit of integrity or moral sincerity. There is some degree of comfort that accompanieth any good action, as heat doth fire; the conscience so far as he doth good hath some kind of peace in it. The Heathens by Gods general bounty and goodness had a conscience excusing when they did good, as well as accusing when they did evil: Rom. 2. 15. Their thoughts in the mean time accusing, or else excusing one another, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, by turns. And this excusing cannot be without some sweetness and contentment of mind. Sacer intra nos spiritus sedet, bonorum malorúmque nostrorum observator & custos, hic prout à nobis tractatus est ita nos ipse tractat, saith Seneca. This may be without faith; whereas we speak of such a joy as is founded in faith, though found in the ways of obedience in Christs service. Mat. 11. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. In short, there is delight the duty, and the dispensation; for it is both promised and required. Delight in Gods ways is promised as a gift of God, and as the result of our obedience. Isa. 58. 13, 14.
