CHAP. XVI. Of the Covenant of Works.
Righteousness thus set forth in his several parts and branches, has of God’s free goodness a reward belonging to it, (whereupon the same called the Law, or covenant of works;) as contrariwise a punishment in his Justice to those that sin against it: both more or less, as the righteousness or sin abounds.
The reward is blessedness, which is the having of all things that make the creature happy, and stands in the fruition of God’s love, or, from thence coming, a conjunction and communion with him.
Conjunction is the enjoying of his personal presence.
Communion is a participation (in some sort) of his blessedness both kingdom power and glory.
—Dudley Fenner (1558–87), The Sacred Doctrine of Divinitie (London, 1599, repr. 1613), 9. [Spelling modernized]
seems to goes well with this today: http://www.ligonier.org/blog/secret-happy-life/
“Sin never brings happiness—the state of inner delight, blessedness, and contentment wherein there is no room for greed or covetousness…After explaining conflict’s source, James reveals what ends it and brings true happiness: But he gives more grace….If there’s anything that we ought to be in a passionate quest to achieve, it’s the grace of God. By definition, grace is not something you can earn. You can receive grace only if God in His mercy gives it to you. It’s a gift. You can’t buy, earn, or merit it. God gives grace to the humble because they understand the graciousness of grace.”