Still may man enjoy, even upon earth, no inconsiderable degree of peace and happiness. The promises and blessings of the gospel impart a “joy and gladness” to the believer, and fill him with comfort, which the world can neither give nor take away: the avoiding and abhorring of evil will prevent those painful reflections, which inhabit the mind of the reckless sinner: the life of faith in a merciful Saviour, the worship and service of God, the works of piety and love, the walk of uprightness and integrity, though accompanied with imperfections, and, therefore, with abatements of comfort, yet do infallibly produce a great tranquillity of soul, and unspeakable emotions of holy joy; the sincere Christian contemplates his present condition with happy, though humble persuasion of acceptance with his God; and looks forward with an animated exulting hope of the perfect consummation of his felicity, in another and a better world. The trials and troubles of this life do indeed still continue; yet they have no power to harm, and therefore none to distress him; he “casts his burden upon the Lord.” But in the natural, unrenewed, unconverted world, there is no such redeeming principle, no qualification of evil, no pure sources of delight: let the votaries of earthly enjoyment seek it with what ardour and devotedness they may, it is a phantom which is ever eluding their grasp; flitting before their eyes in the shape of promises and visions, but never in substantial possession.
It is indeed sadly instructive, to consider the numberless devices to which men are driven, in their search after happiness, when once they have forsaken the faith and fear of God; how busy they are in the invention of new scenes and pursuits; quitting one after another, as each deceives and fails; how they are wearing and wasting away the little span of life, in vain experiment and profitless enquiry. How are the opulent contriving their multiplied means and opportunities of enjoyment, with all their splendour of establishment, and a train of dependents obedient to their will! And if we could form a judgment by outward appearances, we might be inclined to pronounce them happy: but under this beautiful veil, with all this pomp of circumstance, many a corroding care, many a mortified desire, many a bitter disappointment, lie constantly concealed.