The works of George Swinnock, M.A

2. It is the most comfortable and delightful Calling • Satan would represent Christians under ugly visors, and Christianity frightful, to make men loath both the one and the other; As he transforms himself the Prince of darkness, and his ways which are darkness, into an Angel of light and seeming ⟨p. 850⟩light, so he endeavours to transform Christians, who are children of light, and their holy ways, which are paths of light, into children of darkness; and paths of darkness. He endeavours to make men think the power of godliness Antipodes to all cheerfulness, but holiness is far from such a crabbed face, and austere countenance as he would have us fancy. No trade hath so much mirth with it and in i•; Joy is one essential part of this Calling, The kingdom of God consisteth not in meats and drinks, but in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17. The servants of God do not only rejoice in the fore-thoughts of their reward, to think of the time when their Indentures shall expire, and they shall enjoy the glorious liberty of the sons of God; We rejoice in hope of glory; but also in their work, they are joyful in the house of prayer, they sing at their work: Thy statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage; nay, at the hardest and most tiresome of their work. We rejoice in tribulation; My brethren count it all joy; when ye fall into divers temptations. Joy is the beam which is darted from the S•n, the stream which floweth from the fountain of godliness: It is observable that the beginning, the lest degree of grace causeth joy, great joy, what then will its growth and perfection do? When Christ did but call to Zacheus he came down hastily, and received him joyfully, Luk. 19. 6. When the Eunuch was converted he went home rejoicing, Act. 8. 39. When the Samaritans had received Christ into their hearts at Phillips preaching, there was great joy in that City, Act. 8. 6, 7, 8. The Jailer after his heart-quake,