§ 7. (5.) As another property of our rest, we shall derive its joys immediately from God. Now we have nothing at all immediately, but at the second or third hand, or how many, who knows? From the earth, from man, from sun and moon, from the ministration of angels, and from the Spirit, and Christ. Though in the hand of angels the stream savors not of the imperfection of sinners, yet it does of the imperfection of creatures; and as it comes from man, it savors of both. How _quick and piercing is the word_ in itself?[148] Yet many times it never enters, being managed by a feeble arm. What weight and worth is there in every passage of the blessed gospel? Enough, one would think, to enter and force the dullest soul, and wholly possess its thoughts and affections; and yet how oft does it fall as water upon a stone? The things of God, which we handle, are divine; but our manner of handling is human. There is little we touch, but we leave the print of our fingers behind. If God speaks the word himself, it will be a piercing, melting word indeed. The Christian now knows by experience, that his most immediate joys are his sweetest joys; which have least of man, and are most directly from the Spirit. Christians, who are much in secret prayer and contemplation, are men of the greatest life and joy; because they have all more immediately from God himself. Not that we should cast off hearing, reading, and conference, or neglect any ordinance of God: but to live above them, while we use them, is the way of a Christian. There is joy in these remote receivings; but the _fulness of joy is in God's_ immediate _presence_.[149] We shall then have light without a candle, and perpetual day without the sun; for _the city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God lightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof; there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever_.[150] We shall then have enlightened understandings without Scripture, and be governed without a written law; for the Lord will perfect his law in our hearts, and we shall be all perfectly taught of God. We shall have joy, which we drew not from the promises, nor fetched home by faith or hope. We shall have communion without sacraments, without _this fruit of the vine, when Christ shall drink it new with us in his Father's kingdom_,[151] and refresh us with the comforting wine of immediate enjoyment. To have necessities, but no supply, is the case of them in hell. To have necessity supplied by means of the creatures, is the case of us on earth. To have necessity supplied immediately from God, is the case of the saints in heaven. To have no necessity at all, is the prerogative of God himself. [Footnote 148] Heb. iv, 12. [Footnote 149] Psalm xvi, 11. [Footnote 150] Revelation xxi, 23. xxii, 5. [Footnote 151] Matthew xxvi, 29.