48 THE EXCELLENCIES OF 7. (5) As another property of our rest, we shall derive its joys immediately from God. Now we have nothing at all immediately, but at the second or third hand, or how many, who knows? From the earth, from man, from sun and moon, from the minis- tration of angels, and from the Spirit, and Christ Though, in the hands of angels, the stream savours not of the imperfection of sinners, yet it does of the imperfection of creatures; and as it comes from man, it savours of both. How quick and piercing is the word in itself;(u) . yet many times it never enters, be- ing managed by a feeble arm. What weight and worth is there in every passage of the blessed gospel! Enough, one would think, to enter and pierce the dullest soul, and wholly possess its thoughts and affections ; and yet how oft does it fall as water upon a stone ! The things of God which we handle are divine ; but our manner of handling is human. There is little we touch, but we leave the print of our fingers behind.. If God speaks the word himself, it will be a piercing,. melting word indeed. The Christian now knows by experience, that his most immediate joys are his sweetest joys ; which have least of man, and are most directly from the Spirit. Christians, who are much in secret prayer and contemplation, are men of the greatest life and joy; because they have all more im- mediately from God himself. Not that we should cast off hearing, reading, and conference, or neglect any ordinance of God; but to live above them, while we use them, in the way of a Christian. There is joy in these remote receivings ; but the fulness of joy is in God's immediate presence.(w) We shall then have light without a candle, and perpetual day with- out the sun ; " for the city hath no need of the sun, nei- ther of the moon, to shine in it ; for the glory of God enlightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof: there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, nei- ther light ; for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. "(x) We shall then (u) lieb. iv. 12. (w) Psalm xvi. 1. (x) Rev. xxi. 23. xxii.'5.
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