- We have to praise the Lord that there are a people in the
world, who fear him and serve him, and that they are a happy
people; which is owing entirely to his grace. Their fear is not
that which love casts out, but that which love brings in. It
follows and flows from love. It is a fear to offend. This is
both fear and trust. The heart touched by the Spirit of God, as
the needle touched with the loadstone, turns direct and speedily
to God, yet still with trembling, being filled with this holy
fear. Blessings are laid up for the faithful and their
children's children; and true riches are bestowed on them, with
as much of this world's possessions as is profitable for them.
In the darkest hours of affliction and trial, the light of hope
and peace will spring up within them, and seasonable relief
shall turn mourning into joy. From their Lord's example they
learn to be kind and full of compassion, as well as just in all
their dealings; they use discretion, that they may be liberal in
that manner which appears most likely to do good. Envy and
slander may for a time hide their true characters here, but they
shall be had in everlasting remembrance. They need not fear evil
tidings. A good man shall have a settled spirit. And it is the
endeavour of true believers to keep their minds stayed upon God,
and so to keep them calm and undisturbed; and God has promised
them both cause to do so, and grace to do so. Trusting in the
Lord is the best and surest way of establishing the heart. The
heart of man cannot fix any where with satisfaction, but in the
truth of God, and there it finds firm footing. And those whose
hearts are established by faith, will patiently wait till they
gain their point. Compare all this with the vexation of sinners.
The happiness of the saints is the envy of the wicked. The
desire of the wicked shall perish; their desire was wholly to
the world and the flesh, therefore when these perish, their joy
is gone. But the blessings of the gospel are spiritual and
eternal, and are conferred upon the members of the Christian
church, through Christ their Head, who is the Pattern of all
righteousness, and the Giver of all grace.
he blessedness of the righteous.