A Body of Practical Divinity

3. Spiritual Joys are sweeter than others, better than Wine, Cant. 1.2. They are a Christians Festival; They are the golden Pot and the Manna; They are so sweet that they make every thing else sweet; sweeten Health, Estate, as sweet Water poured on Flowers makes them more Fragrant and Aromatical. Divine Joys are so Delicious and Ravishing, that they do very much put our Mouth out of Taste to earthly Delights; as he who hath been drinking Spirits of Alkermes, tastes little-sweetness in Water. St. Paul had tasted these Divine Joys, and his Mouth was out of taste to Worldly things: The World was Crucified to him, Gal. 6.14. it was like a dead thing, he could find no sweetness in it.

3. Spiritual Joys are sweeter than others, better than Wine, Cant. 1.2. They are a Christians Festival; They are the golden Pot and the Manna; They are so sweet that they make every thing else sweet; sweeten Health, Estate, as sweet Water poured on Flowers makes them more Fragrant and Aromatical. Divine Joys are so Delicious and Ravishing, that they do very much put our Mouth out of Taste to earthly Delights; as he who hath been drinking Spirits of Alkermes, tasts little-sweetness in Water. St. Paul had tasted these Divine Joys, and his Mouth was out of taste to Wordly things: The World was Crucified to him, Gal. 6.14. it was like a dead thing, he could find no sweetness in it.

4. Spiritual Joys are more pure, they are not tempered with any bitter Ingredients; a Sinners Joy is mixed dregs, is embittered with Fear and Guilt; the Wolf feeds in the Breast of his Joy; he drinks Wormwood Wine: But Spiritual Joy is not muddied with Guilt, but like a Crystal stream runs pure; it is all Spirits and Quintessence; it is Joy and nothing but Joy; 'tis a Rose without Prickles; it is Honey without the Wax.