The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

5. That the joy which they feel is but a false joy and unsound: which appears both by the causes of it, and by the effects. By the causes, for they joy in hearing the Word for these or the like reasons: because the doctrine is new, or because it is handled with unexpected learning or wit, or because it fits their humours or affections, or because it is doctrine that is generally comfortable, and sets out the happiness of such as are of their Religion, or because the things spoken of ⟨p. 27⟩are admirable in themselves, or because the doctrine makes against such and such as he likes not. And such as are the causes, such are the effects. For this joy makes them more proud, and careless, and conceited, and contemptuous many times of others. Whereas the true joy ariseth from the solid application of the things heard to himself, and from the persuasion of his right unto these comforts by and through Jesus Christ. And withal this joy doth soften the heart, as the dew from Heaven doth the ground, and makes the true Christian more humble and mortified, and more desirous to be rid of sin, and more to love God, and goodness, and godly men.

5. That the ioy which they feele is but a false ioy and vnsound: which appeares both by the causes of it, and by the effects. By the causes, for they ioy in hearing the Word for these or the like reasons: because the doctrine is new, or because it is handled with vnexpected learning or wit, or because it fits their humors or affections, or because it is doctrine that is generally comfortable, and sets out the happinesse of such as are of their Religion, or because the things spoken of ⟨p. 27⟩are admirable in themselues, or because the doctrine makes against such and such as he likes not. And such as are the causes, such are the effects. For this ioy makes them more proude, and carelesse, and conceited, and contemptuous many times of others. Whereas the true ioy ariseth from the solid application of the things heard to himselfe, and from the perswasion of his right vnto these comforts by and through Iesus Christ. And withall this ioy doth soften the heart, as the dew from Heauen doth the ground, and makes the true Christian more humble and mortified, and more desirous to be rid of sinne, and more to loue God, and goodnes, and godly men.