Page:True religion a source of happiness.pdf/9

9 and grace to our guilty and deplorable condition—such inestimable blessings of present pardon and peace with God, and such glorious prospects of everlasting future happiness; that reason itself must admit these truths to be every way calculated to support the mind under a conscious sense of guilt, and in the prospect of death and judgment, which naturally appal the hearts of men; and not only so, but also to fill the believer of them with all joy and peace. Paul counted all things but loss and dung for this excellent knowledge. His soul was happy in it, amidst all the afflictions he suffered on its account. This was also the case with those who at first believed the gospel; and from the very nature of the thing, it must be so to the end.

2. The and  influenced by these principles, are a source of pleasure and peace to the mind, both in their nature and effects. The effects of the Gospel believed, are love to God and men, hope, joy, peace, humility, temperance, meekness, patience, gentleness, contentment, &c. These and such like are fruits of the Spirit, and not only constituent parts of holiness, but of happiness. They are the health of the soul; but their opposites are its maladies, and its misery. The soul