Heaven taken

5. This holy violence hath much delight ¹mingled with it, Prov. 3. 17. All her ways are pleasantness. Though the way of Religion hath thorns in it (in respect of persecution) yet it is full of Roses, in respect of that inward peace and content that the soul finds in it. A man is violent at his recreation; but there is an inward delight he takes in it which sweetens that violence. St. Paul made Religion his recreation, Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of God after the inward man. In the Greek, [Greek or Hebrew], I take pleasure; not only Heaven it self is delightful, but the way thither. What ravishing delight hath a gracious soul in prayer! Isa. 56. 7. I will make them joyful in the house of prayer. What delight in holy contemplation! A Christian hath such illapses of the Spirit, and meets with such transfigurations of soul, that he thinks himself half in Heaven. Serving of God is like gathering of Spices, or Flowers, wherein there is ⟨p. 140⟩some labour, but the labour is recompensed with delight. The way of sin hath bitterness in it. The •ears while they lick the honey, are stung with the Bees. So while men are following their lusts, they have checks of conscience, which are a foretaste of Hell. Better want the honey; than have this sting. But the violence for Heaven is spiced with such joy, that it is not labour, but pleasure.

5. This holy violence hath much delight ¹mingled with it, Prov. 3. 17. All her waies are pleasantness. Though the way of Religion hath thorns in it (in respect of persecution) yet it is full of Roses, in respect of that inward peace and content that the soul finds in it. A man is violent at his recreation; but there is an inward delight he takes in it which sweetens that violence. St. Paul made Religion his recreation,