Sunday, March 8, 2015

Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 48

Joy

There are two things, which I have always looked upon as difficult. The one is, to make the wicked sad; the other is, to make the godly joyful. Dejection in the godly arises from a double spring; either because their inward comforts are darkened, or their outward comforts are disturbed. (Thomas Watson)

The reason why so many poor souls have so little heat of joy in their hearts, is that they have so little light of Gospel knowledge in their mind. The further a soul stands from the light of truth, the further he must needs be from the heat of comfort. (William Gurnall)

Those that look to be happy must first look to be holy. (Richard Sibbes)

God is not otherwise to be enjoyed than as He is obeyed. (John Howe)

I desire the dejected Christian to consider, that by his heavy and uncomfortable life, he seemeth to the world to accuse God and His service, as if he openly called Him a rigorous, hard, unacceptable Master, and His work a sad unpleasant thing. I know this is not your thoughts: I know it is yourselves, and not God and His service that offendeth you; and that you walk heavily not because you are holy, but because you fear you are not holy, and because you are no more holy. If you see a servant always sad, that was wont to be merry while he served another master, will you not think that he hath a master that displeaseth him? You are born and new born for God's honor; and will you thus dishonor Him before the world? What do you (in their eyes) but dispraise Him by your every countenance and carriage? (Richard Baxter)

To see a wicked man merry, or a Christian sad, is alike uncomely. (William Gurnall)

God would not have us part with nothing for Him, but that which will damn us if we keep it. He has no design upon us, but to make us happy. He calls us to salvation, He calls us to a Kingdom. (Thomas Watson)

Religion does not banish all joy. As there is seriousness without sourness, so there is a cheerful liveliness without lightness. When the prodigal was converted "they began to be merry." (Luke 15:24). Who should be cheerful, if not the people of God" They are no sooner born of the Spirit, but they are heirs to a crown. (Thomas Watson)

Christ takes no more delight to dwell in a sad heart, than we do to live in a dark house. (William Gurnall)


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