RIGHT REJOICING. 379 ing sicknesses, and is there not everlasting health in heaven ? Art thou weak in knowledge, in memory, in grace, in duty ; troubled with uncommanded thoughts and passions; and was it not so on earth with all who are now in heaven ? O, Christians ! make conscience of this command ; " Rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Did you but know how God approveth such rejoicing, and how much it pleaseth him above your pining sorrows; and how it strengtheneth the soul, and sweeteneth duty, and easeth suffering,and honoreth religion, and encourageth others, and how suitable it is to gospel grace,. and to your high relations and ends, and how much better it serves to subdue the very sins that trouble you, than your fruitless, self-weakening complainings. doI say, did you well consider all these things, it would sure revive your drooping spirits. And do not say now, ' I would rejoice if I were sure that my name were written in heaven; but I am not sure.' For, 1. Who is it long of that you arenot sure ? You may be sure that he that valueth and seeketh heaven as better than earth, and that loveth the holy way to heaven, and the most heavenlypeople, is indeed an heir of heaven; ani you may be surè, if you will, that this is your own case ; andyet you say you are not sure that your names are written in heaven. If God give you his grace,, and you deny it, will you therefore deny your right to glory, and make one sin the excuse for another? 2. And if you are not sure, is it nothing to have your probabili- ties, and hòpes, and the judgment of your able, faithful pastors, that your souls are in a safe condition ? We dare not say so to the careless world, nor to the most of men, as we do to you. Especially, take heed lest melancholy habituate you to fears and griefs ; and then religion must bear the blame, and you undergo a calamitous life, though you are the heirs of heaven. To this end, 1. Use not musing, serious thoughts beyond the strength of your brain and intellect. 2. Place not too much of your religion in the perusal and study of Your hearts; but (for such as are inclined to melancholy) it is the fruitfulest way to be much in expending duties abroad, and laboring to do good to others. Such duties have less of self, and have much of God, and divert the troubling, melancholy thoughts, and bring in more comfort by way of re- ward, than is usually got by more direct inquiry after comfort. 3. Use not too much solitariness and retiredness : man is a sociable creature; and as his duty lieth much with others, so his comfort lieth in the same way as his duty. 4. Take heed' of worldly sor- rows, and therefore of'overvaluing worldly things. 5. Take heed ofidleness, or of thinking that the duties of holiness are all that you have to mind ; but make conscience of being diligent in a particu-
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