Religion without feeling is like a body without a soul: feeling without truth is only nature warmed by fancy. Those are the only precious feelings which are caused by the word of God: it is well when we can say "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." Psalm 119:162. Why such exceeding joy! Because the word of God testifies of the immutable nature and unchangeable love of a covenant God to poor sinners. "I am the Lord,"-Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit, –"I change not."
Here is the believer's security from destruction: in this consists his safety unto salvation; for alas! we are poor changeable creatures. Now, our souls are strong in confidence, warm with love, joyful through hope, enlarged in prayer, with Christ in our view and glory in our eye; anon, a cloud arises in the horizon of our hearts, unbelief prevails, corruptions rage, all nature is in a ferment, and the soul in distress: then, what has it to look to for hope and support? An unchangeable God, who is of one mind; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Job 23:13. James 1:17. A precious Jesus, who is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." Heb. 13:8. "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee, is mighty: he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy: he will rest in his love: he will joy over thee with singing." Zeph. 3:17. The different frames and feelings which distress us do not affect God nor cause any change in his love to us. A changeable God must be an unhappy being like ourselves; but God never changes in his love, purposes, and grace to us.
He did not love us, choose us, and set his heart upon us on account of what he saw in us, but as he viewed us in the Son of his love. We are unrighteous sinners in ourselves; but he sees in Christ an everlasting atone-meat for our sins, an everlasting righteousness to justify us: therefore he is ever pleased with us in Christ; ever of one mind concerning us; ever rests in his love to us and joys over us: no change in us can ever affect his mind, his love, or his joy.
Hence learn not to live upon any thing you are m yourself. Bless God for lively frames and comfortable feelings; but know, these are not Christ; they do not make you acceptable to God. Look to what you are in Christ: that is your glory. God so views and loves you. Look here, live here, and rejoice. So you will be like God, of one mind with Jesus, live upon him, and walk to the glory of your God and Father in him.