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the blessings of eternal life; Rev. xxi. 6, "I will give unto him that is athirst, of the fountain of the water of life freely."
The Scriptures speak of holy joy, as a great part of true religion. So it is represented in the text. And as an important part of religion, it is often exhorted to, and pressed, with great earnestness; Psal. xxxvii. 4, "Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psal. xcvii 12, "Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous." So Psal. xxxiii. 1, "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous." Matt. v. 12, "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad." Phil. iii. 1, "Finally, brethren, rejoice in the Lord." And chap. iv. 4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice." 1 Thess. v. 16, "Rejoice evermore." Psal. cxlix. 2, "Let Israel rejoice in him that made him; let the children of Zion be joyful in their king." This is mentioned among the princpal fruits of the Spirit of grace; Gal. v. 21," The fruit of the Spirit is love," &c. The Psalmist mentions his holy joy, as an evidence of his sincerity. Psal. cxix. 14, "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.'
Religious sorrow, mourning, and brokenness of heart, are also frequently spoken of as a great part of true religion. These things are often mentioned as distinguishing qualities of the true saints, and a great part of their character; Matt. v. 4, "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted." Psal xxxiv. 18, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Isa. Ixi. 1, 2, "The Lord hath anointed me, to bind up the broken-hearted, to comfort all that mourn." This godly sorrow and brokenness of heart is often spoken of, not only as a great thing in the distinguishing character of the saints, but that in them, which is peculiarly acceptable and pleasing to God; Psal. li. 17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Isa. lvii. 15, "Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Chap. Lxvi. 2, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit."
Another affection often mentioned, as that in the exercise of which much of true religion appears, is gratitude; especially as exercised in thankfulness and praise to God. This being so much spoken of in the book of Psalms, and other parts of the holy Scriptures, I need not mention particular texts. Again, the holy Scriptures do frequently speak of compassion or mercy, as a very great and essential thing in true religion; insomuch that good men are in Scripture denominated from hence; and a merciful man and a good man are equivalent terms in Scripture; Isa. lvii. 1, "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away." And the Scripture chooses out this quality, as that by which, in a peculiar manner, a righteous man is deciphered; Psal. xxxvii. 21, " The righteous showeth mercy, and giveth;" and ver, 26, "He is is ever merciful, and lendeth." And Prov. xiv. 21, "He that honoreth the Lord, hath mercy on the poor." And Col. iii. 12, "Put ye on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies," &c. This is one of those great things by which those who are truly blessed are described by our Saviour; Matt. v. 7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." And this Christ also speaks of, as one of the weightier matters of the law; Matt. xxiii. 23, "Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith." To the like purpose is that, Mic. vi. 8, "He hath showed thee. O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justice,