None have such reason to rejoice as the believer has

[MW]

Thomas Boston, Works, 2:27:

Most groundless is the prejudice against religion, that it is a melancholy thing; Prov. 3:17, “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” None have such reason to rejoice as the believer has. If the poor wretched and condemned creature has more ground to rejoice than he that is pardoned and enriched with his prince’s favour, then the wicked has as much ground to rejoice as the believer who is justified by grace. O! if the ungodly saw their state, they would never rejoice; and if the godly saw theirs, they would never despond.

 

[py3ak]

...if the godly saw theirs, they would never despond.

It's so sadly difficult to keep our state in view.

 

[MW]

...if the godly saw theirs, they would never despond.

It's so sadly difficult to keep our state in view.

Perhaps that is necessary to make us go out of ourselves to the genuine source of joy, Isa. 12:3, and delivers us from seeking it in ourselves.

 

[py3ak]

That does make it rather less sad - thank you!