4. The Precepts of Christ show, that we have Matter of Rejoicing in him. What are the great Duties required? To love God! Now what pain is it to delight in the Lord as our All-sufficient Portion? To be mindful of him, and meditate of his Excellencies and Benefits: Psal. 104. 34. My Meditation of him shall be sweet, I will be glad in the Lord. Is it any toilsome thing to come in a childish manner, and unbosom our selves to him, and beg the renewed Testimonies of his Love to us, especially when set awork by the Holy Ghost? Gal. 4. 6. To believe in Christ, 'tis difficult; but pleasant to consider the Lord Jesus as the suitable Remedy for the lapsed Estate of Mankind, both as to his Work with God and us: Heb. 3. 1. He came to destroy Sin and Misery! When-ever we reflect upon Christ, what do we find but ample grounds of Joy? John 14. 1. Let not your Hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. That is, to get off our trouble, consider, we have an All-sufficient God, and an All-sufficient Mediator. Rom. 15. 13. Now the God of Hope fill you with all ⟨p. 84⟩Joy and Peace in believing, that ye may abound in Hope, through the Power of the Holy Ghost. Repentance requireth sorrow for Sin, only as it tendeth to Joy and Comfort, Matth. 5. 5. 'Tis a tormenting, but a curing Sorrow. The Word of God taketh care, that a Penitent, who hath foully miscarried, should not be swallowed up of over-much grief, 2 Cor. 2. 7. In the general, Repentance and Mortification are our Physic to expel the noxious Humours, that would bring us, not only to Death, but to Damnation; and to keep the Soul in due plight and health. And then for Self-Government; We are to bridle our Passions and Appetites: Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christ's, have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts. The bridling our Passions, 'tis but forbidding us to be miserable, and throw out every thing that would disquiet the Soul. Christ's great care was, that the reasonable Creature might live in Peace, and Holy Security; therefore hath discharged our Cares, and Sorrows, and Fears: Our Cares, that they might not distract our Minds: Phil. 4. 6. Be careful for nothing. And, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Cast all your care upon the Lord. These ⟨p. 85⟩Prohibitions show you the Goodness of Christ; He hath made it unlawful for you to be troubled, and to perplex your Minds with anxious and distrustful Thoughts. Oh!
4. The Precepts of Christ shew, that we have Matter of Rejoicing in him. What are the great Duties required? To love God! Now what pain is it to delight in the Lord as our All-sufficient Portion? To be mindful of him, and meditate of his Excellencies and Benefits: Psal. 104. 34. My Meditation of him shall be sweet, I will be glad in the Lord. Is it any toilsome thing to come in a childish manner, and unbosome our selves to him, and beg the renewed Testimonies of his Love to us, especially when set awork by the Holy Ghost? Gal. 4. 6. To believe in Christ, 'tis difficult; but pleasant to consider the Lord Jesus as the suitable Remedy for the lapsed Estate of Mankind, both as to his Work with God and us: Heb. 3. 1. He came to destroy Sin and Misery! When-ever we reflect upon Christ, what do we find but ample grounds of Joy? John 14. 1. Let not your Hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. That is, to get off our trouble, consider, we have an Alsufficient God, and an Alsufficient Mediator. Rom. 15. 13. Now the God of Hope fill you with all ⟨p. 84⟩Ioy and Peace in believing, that ye may abound in Hope, through the Power of the Holy Ghost. Repentance requireth sorrow for Sin, only as it tendeth to Joy and Comfort, Matth. 5. 5. 'Tis a tormenting, but a curing Sorrow. The Word of God taketh care, that a Penitent, who hath foully miscarried, should not be swallowed up of over-much grief, 2 Cor. 2. 7. In the general, Repentance and Mortification are our Physick to expel the noxious Humours, that would bring us, not only to Death, but to Damnation; and to keep the Soul in due plight and health. And then for Self-Government; We are to bridle our Passions and Appetites: Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christ's, have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts. The bridling our Passions, 'tis but forbidding us to be miserable, and throw out every thing that would disquiet the Soul. Christ's great care was, that the reasonable Creature might live in Peace, and Holy Security; therefore hath discharged our Cares, and Sorrows, and Fears: Our Cares, that they might not distract our Minds:
