Page:True religion a source of happiness.pdf/10

10 can never be happy while alienated from God, and under the dominion of corrupt and insatiable desires, malevolent dispositions, and unruly passions; these are harpies that prey upon the peace of the soul, and fill it with disorder and misery. What a happiness to be delivered from these, and to have the fruits of the Spirit which are life and peace to the soul.

3. The influenced by such principles, dispositions, and affections, is obedience to the revealed will of God, and this properly speaking is to walk in the  and  of wisdom, for as the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, so a good understanding have all they that do his commandments. His commandments are all ways of pleasantness and paths of peace: for "great peace have they that love his law; nothing shall stumble or offend them," Psalm, cxix. 165. The divine precepts are all from their very nature; and this philosophy acknowledges with respect to such of them as respect morality. The principle of the law is, and its precepts are only so many directions to the proper exercise of love. We are always gratified and happy in acting suitably to our affections; and it is this free, happy, and delightful obedience, that Christ demands; "If ye