When true happiness is sufficiently revealed, we like it not upon God’s terms. The Jews, when our Saviour told them of the bread of God that came down from Heaven to give life to the world, said unto Him, “Lord, evermore give us this bread” (John 6:34): but it is said, upon hearing the conditions of obtaining it, “they murmured, went back, and walked no more with Him” (John 6:66). All would live forever; but when they must follow a despised Christ up and down in the world, and incur censures and dangers, they like none of that: “Yea, they despised the pleasant land; they believed not His word” (Psalm 106:24). The land was a good land, but the way to it was through a howling wilderness. When they heard of the strength and stature of the men, their fortifications, they fell into passion, and murmur, and gave over the pursuit of Canaan. Heaven is a good place, but men must get to it with such difficulty; therefore they are loth to be at the cost. Men would be happy, with that kind of happiness which is true happiness; but not in the way which God propoundeth, being prepossessed with carnal fancies.
Men make laws as tailors do garments, to fit the crooked bodies they serve.
God will not thank them that give more than He requireth… When men’s zeal boils over in a false pretended holiness, it quencheth the fire, and destroys true godliness and religion.
