Happiness of the Christian.

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"In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures!" Psalm 16:11

Christian, your happiness arises from that object on which your affections are placed. Where your treasure is—there will your heart be also. If your affections are placed upon a poor empty creature; or, if like Judas, your heart is so depraved, that you desire only the money-bag; or, like Reuben, you are content, for worldly convenience, to continue on this side Jordan—then remember you are bartering eternal life for a mere fantasy, and deceiving yourself into irretrievable and endless ruin!

If you will be content with . . .
a breath of honour, 
a blaze of pleasure, 
a snare of riches, 
or a parcel of vanity, 
then go, take your fill! But know assuredly—that the end of these things is death!

When you shall draw your last breath, 
when  honour will appear only as air, 
when your deathless soul shall be forever ensnared 
—then you will greatly lament your past conduct, 
and wish you had never been born!

But now, O true Christian, if you are risen with Christ from the dead, and are looking at unseen and eternal realities—then for you is prepared a golden crown, a celestial harp, a glorious mansion, and eternal hallelujahs! You shall enjoy the presence of God and the Lamb forever and ever! You shall gaze on the incomparable brightness of God, and forever contemplate the wonders of redemption.

Lord, if this is my happiness, let others enjoy the things of this world! For my part, I am content to deny myself, and take up my cross and follow You!