09 - Chapter 09

CHAPTER IX.

Holy delight should cause Thankfulness.

Use 5. Thankfulness.

WHAT cause have they to be thankful who can find this spiritual delight in God? How did David bless God that he gave the people hearts to offer so cheerfully to the building of the temple; ’Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?’ 2 Chronicles 29:14. Their willingness was more than their offering; so should a christian say, Lord, when there are so many prest soldiers, who am I, that I should offer so willingly? Who am I that I should have thy free Spirit, and should serve thee rather out of choice than constraint! It is a great blessing to have this promptitude and alacrity in God’s service; delight doth animate and spirit duty; now we act to purpose in religion. Christians are never drawn so powerfully and sweetly, as when the chain of delight is fastened to their heart. Without this all is lost; our praying and hearing is like water spilt upon the ground. It loseth both its beauty and reward; then bless God, christian, who hath oiled the wheels of thy soul with delight, and now thou canst ’run and not be weary.’ For thy comfort, be assured thou shalt not want any thing thy heart can desire, Psalms 37:4. ’Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.’