h the Holy Ghost, as to make a kind of presence and
possession of what is hoped for, that makes the soul to enlarge itself in
joy. This makes the inward jubilation, the heart as it were to leap for
joy. Now, truly this is not the ordinary entertainment of a Christian. It
is neither so universal nor constant as peace. These fruits so matured and
ripe, like the grapes of Canaan, are not set down always upon the table of
every Christian, nor yet at all to some. It is enough that he keep the
soul in that healthful temper, that it is neither quite cast down or
discouraged through difficulties and infirmities. It is sufficient if God
speak peace to the soul, though it be not acquainted with these raptures
of Christianity. This hath so much sense in it, that it is not meet to be
made ordinary food, lest we should mistake our pilgrimage for heaven, and
fall upon the building of tabernacles in this mount. For certainly the
soul would conclude it good to be here, and could not so earnestly long
for the city and country of heaven, if they had any more but some tastes
of that joy to sharpen their desires after the full measure of it. It is a
fixed and unchangeable statute of heaven, that we should here live by
faith, and not by sense. And indeed, the following of God fully, in the
ways of obedience, upon the dim apprehensions of faith, is more
praiseworthy, and hath more of the true nature of obedience in it, than
when present sweetness hath such a predominant influence. Besides, our
vessel here is weak and crazy, and most unfit for such strong liquor as
the joys of the Holy Ghost. Some liquors have such a strong spirit in them
that they will burst an ordinary bottle; and as our Saviour says, "No man
puts new wine in old bottles, for they will burst," Matt. ix. 17. Truly
the joy of heaven is too strong for our old ruinous and earthly vessels to
bear, till the body "put on incorruption," and be fashioned like unto
Christ's own glorious body; for it cannot be capable of all the fulness of
this joy. And yet there is a kind of all fulness of peace and joy in this
life, "fill you with all joy and peace." Indeed the fulness of this life
is emptiness to the next. But yet there is a fulness in regard of the
abundance of the world. Their joys and pleasures, their peace and
contentation in the things of this life, are but like "the crackling of
thorns under a pot," that makes a great noise, but vanishes quickly in a
filthy security, Eccles. vii