The Pleasantness of a Religious Life

True piety has true pleasure in it.

In six chapters on Proverbs 3:17, Matthew Henry proves and illustrates the doctrine of religious pleasantness, saying the religious life is the only life worth living. “What was the fall and apostasy of man, and what is still his sin and misery, but the soul’s revolt from the divine life, and giving up itself wholly to the animal life?” Henry writes. Henry’s work is a treasure, helping to demolish Satan’s insinuation that true religion is boring and burdensome. Read Henry’s Pleasantness of a Religious Life and see why Christians really are the happiest creatures on earth.

Table of Contents:

1. Explication of the Doctrine
2. Proved from the Nature of True Religion
3. Proved from the Comfort and Privileges
4. Proved by Experience
5. Illustrated as a Pleasant Journey
6. Vindicated from Enemies of Religion
7. Application of the Doctrine
   

Endorsement

“Isaac Watts taught us to sing that ‘religion never was designed to make our pleasures less.’ Matthew Henry describes and demonstrates the truth of that assertion, outlining the comforts and privileges of true religion taught in Scripture and known by experience. It is a sweet corrective to any who suspect or indulge the idea that there is an inherent sourness in real Christianity. If we grasp what Matthew Henry writes, then we will also sing with John Newton that these truly are the ‘solid joys and lasting treasures’ that are found only in the pleasant paths of heavenly peace.” — Jeremy Walker, pastor, Maidenbower Baptist Church.

Author

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) was son of the Puritan minister Philip Henry and student of minister Thomas Doolittle. He pastored churches in Chester and Hackney, England. He is noted for his commentary on the Old and New Testaments.