Inf. IV. Is it so, that it would be well worth the while to be religious if it were only for the pleasantness?
Then how much more joyfully and pleasantly might a people or society dwell together if they were generally truly religious. If religion be very sweet alone, it is more joyful in society. Communion and mutual communications of pleasure do increase it, even as the heat increases by laying coals to coals. Proverbs 27:17,
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." So a Christian people really so, or a society of real Christians, do sharpen the countenances of each other, adding new gladness to each other's hearts and a new cheerfulness to their countenances.
O how blessed and happy would it be to dwell among such a people!
'Tis an image of heaven: a people that live in righteousness and peace one with another, in the fear of God, in the love of the Lord Jesus. Happiness may well be expected amongst them, and we may well long for such a happiness.
It not only advances the interest of their souls and invites God down in the midst of them, but causes their wealth, their honor, their reputation and their comfort every way to be increased. When we think of [it], we can long for it and pray for it, and say, Happy is that people that is in [such] a case; but where, alas, where shall we find it?
O the folly of the children of men! It is their fault that it is not so. Yea, if it be not so in this very town, it will be our fault.
Let every one do his part, and this place will be thus happy, and we, the inhabitants of the same, might enjoy this pleasure. Let every one of us take care for one [another], and it will follow that all in the general will be likewise. Yea, and those whom God has called likewise have compassion on the souls of their neighbors and cease not to be importunate with God for them and incessant in their own endeavors, every one according to his opportunity and according to his place and station.
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