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It is a maxim admitted by all the world, that "Every one is drawn by pleasure." It is the misery of our fallen nature that we are not drawn so much by the best pleasures as by the worst; the pleasures we generally prefer end in pain; the pleasures we commonly neglect are such as would make us happy for ever. These are the pleasures of religion, the "ways of wisdom." What are the pleasures of religion?

I. THE POSSESSION OF CHRISTIAN GRACES. The great thing which distinguishes a Christian is "having the Spirit" (Romans 8:9). The Spirit is the author of a new and Divine life in the soul of the believer. Every grace is implanted in his soul, the exercise of which is as natural and pleasant to the new nature as the due exercise of our senses is to the natural man. These graces are knowledge, faith, repentance, hope, love.

II. THE ENJOYMENT OF CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGES. Such are —

1. Peace with God through faith in the blood of Christ.

2. Sacred joy in the redemption wrought for him.

3. Adoption into the family of God.

III. THE PERFORMANCE OF CHRISTIAN DUTIES. Such as prayer, praise, reading and hearing the Word, the Lord's day. As all these are good and pleasant in themselves, so they appear to greater advantage if compared with the pleasures of the world. They are certainly far more solid and satisfying, far more rational and noble, and, above all, far more durable. There is far more pleasure in religion now than there is in sin, and we are sure that it will end better.

(G. Burder.)

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KJV: Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

WEB: Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.