A Guide to Godliness, Book 6 · Chapter 15
CAP. XV.
That a godly life is not harſh and vnpleaſant, mopiſh and melancholike, but aboue all others, most cheerefull and pleaſant, ſweet and delightfull.
§. Sect. 1 That though a godly life were ſad and ſorrowfull, yet this ſhould not diſcourage from it.
A Third obiection which the fleſh maketh againſt a godly life, to diſcourage and hinder vsus from entring into, or proceeding in it, is, that it is harſh and vnpleaſant, mopiſh and melancholike, depriuing vsus of all ioy and delight, which is the very life of our life, and which being taken from vsus, it becommeth irkeſome and tedious. The which obiection of the fleſh, the deuill and the world labour all they may, with their vtmoſt policy and skill, to confirme and ſtrengthen; and knowing that men naturally are affected with nothing more then with pleaſure and ioy, and doe ſhunne aboue all things ſorrow and ſadneſſe, they vſe all their Art to blinde and delude vsus; by offering to our view all the pleaſures of carnall and corrupt courſes, and hiding from vsus the griefes and miſchiefes which alwayes attend vponupon them, and like a bitter tang or lothſome after-taſte, doe vtterly ſpoile theſe ſinfull and fleſhly delicacies. And contrariwiſe, they offer to our conſideration all the ſorrow and ſmart, loſſes and worldly inconueniences, which they muſt vndergoe who reſolue to pleaſe God, in the ſtrict and conſtant performance of the duties belonging to a godly life, concealing in the meane while the manifold comforts which doe accompany them, and the ineſtimable ioyes, and euerlaſting happineſſe, vntounto which they attaine that continue in them vntounto the end. For the anſwering of which obiection, wee are firſt to know, that though there were as much ſadneſſe, and as little ioy for the preſent time in the godly life, as is pretended by our ſpirituall enemies, yet this ſhould not diſcourage vsus from chuſing and imbracing it; ſeeing both the pleaſures and paines, ſolace and ſorrowes of this life are but ſhort and momentany, whereas both the ioyes and griefes which ſhall immediately ſucceed them, are endleſſe and euerlaſting. In which regard, wee are to account that mirth miſerable, which ends in perpetuall mourning, and that ſorrow and ſadneſſe ſweet and comfortable, which is attended with eternall and heauenly ioyes. So our Sauiour, Bleſſed are they that mourne, Mat. 5. 4.for they ſhall bee comforted. And againe; Bleſſed are yee that weepe now, for Luk. 6. 21, 25.ye ſhall laugh; and woe vntounto you that laugh now, for ye ſhall mourne and weepe. Now if wee worthily abhorre vnwholeſome meates and drinkes, though they be neuer ſo ſweet and pleaſant to our taſte, becauſe we loſe that delight which we take in them, by the bitter paines of ſickneſſe, indangering our liues, which ſoone after followeth it; and if we louelove that wholeſome, though bitter medicine, which freeth vsus from tedious ſickeneſſe, and preſerueth our health: why ſhould we not be alike wiſe in ſpirituall things, which concerne our ſoules, hating thoſe carnall and ſinfull pleaſures, which indanger them to ſickeneſſe and euerlaſting death, and louing thoſe Chriſtian and holy duties, though they bee bitter and vnpleaſant to our fleſhly and corrupt appetite, which preſerue our ſpirituall health, and certainely aſſure vsus of eternall life and happineſſe? Neither are the religious exerciſes of a godly life harſh and vnpleaſant, either in their owne nature, or to vsus in the ſpirituall part, and ſo farre foorth as we are regenerate and ſanctified: yea, rather they are of incomparable ſweetneſſe, aboue the honey and honey combe, and affect vsus in the inner man with vnſpeakable ioy and delight, as we ſee in the example of Dauid, the Apoſtle Paul, Pſal. 19. 9, 10. Rom. 7. 22. Ioh. 4. 34.and our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe: but to our carnall appetite and ſinfull fleſh, which (like a ſicke and aguiſh ſtomake, full of corrupt and noyſome humours) doth bring our pallate quite out of taſte, iudging thoſe ſpirituall duties which are ſweet and pleaſant, bitter and lothſome, and our ſinfull vices and workes of darkeneſſe, that are ſowre and harſh to a right iudging taſte, delightfull and well-relliſhing. And therefore, ſeeing wee are not (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) debters vntounto the fleſh, that wee Rom. 8. 12.ſhould fulfill the luſts thereof, let not this diſtaſte which it feeleth in religious exerciſes withdraw vsus from them, or diſcourage vsus in them; yea, let vsus ſo much the rather be diligent & conſtant in theſe duties, that we may mortifie this carnall concupiſcence, that fighteth againſt our ſoules, and 1. Pet. 2. 11.by diſpleaſing it, pleaſe our God and our owne conſciences, and nouriſh and preſerue our ſpirituall life and health.
§. Sect. 2 That ſanctification taketh not away our ioy & delight, but only changeth and improueth it.
But this obiection which the fleſh maketh againſt the leading of a godly life, it further preſſeth and confirmeth by the experience which we may hauehave in others, and the examples of many Chriſtians, who ſpend a great part of their time in ſighing and ſorrowing, mourning and lamenting, as though they were depriued of all inward ioy, and outward pleaſures, and doe liue in ſuch a melancholike and mopiſh manner, as though they thought all delights vnlawfull, being ready to condemne themſelues, and cenſure others, if they laugh or ſmile, or ſhew any other ſignes of gladneſſe and reioycing, as not ſauouring of ſanctification, and the mortification of our fleſhly luſts; not beſeeming the ſeaſon, which is a time of mourning, nor befitting the place, which is a valley of teares, nor yet well ſuting with the example of our Sauiour Chriſt, of whom it is written, that hee mourned and wept, but neuer any thing ſayd of his mirth and laughter. For the anſwering whereof, wee are firſt to know, that ſanctification and mortification doe not annihilate or change the eſſence and being of nature, or the ſubſtance of our faculties, paſſions, and affections, but onelyonly renueth and purgeth them from their corruption, that becomming holy, they may be ſeruiceable to God, and the ſpirituall and inner man. It doeth not aboliſh and take them away, but moderateth them in their degree, and keepeth them from extremity and exceſſe, when as they are exerciſed about worldly things; and both rectifieth their diſorder, and correcteth their vicioſity and faultineſſe. And finally, it cauſeth our paſſions and affections to change their obiects, making vsus to bewaile our ſinnes, in which formerly wee reioyced, and to reioyce in thoſe ſpirituall exerciſes, which in the dayes of our ignorance we loathed and neglected. It taketh away the lightneſſe, vanity, and madneſſe of mirth, and cauſeth it to become more graue and ſober: It changeth our reioycing in euill, for reioycing in that which is good: It moderateth the exceſſe of our earthly ioy, which is more in the creature, then in the Creatour: It maketh vsus to reioyce but a little, in things that are but a little worth, and to abound, and euen triumph with ioy in things of greateſt excellency, as the aſſurance of Gods louelove and our owne ſaluation, and the manifold and vndoubted teſtimonies of his grace and fauour towards vsus. And if Chriſtians doe not finde in them this change of ioy, from worſe to better, from carnall to ſpirituall, from that which is vaine and worthleſſe, vntounto that, which (as the Apoſtle Peter calleth it) is vnſpeakable and glorious; 1. Pet. 1. 8.it is their own fault, and not of their Chriſtian profeſſion. Neither in truth can the carriage of diuers Chriſtians be in this regard excuſed, who as though they thought ioy and a godly life incompetible, and not to bee reconciled or conioyned, or ſuppoſed that when they did forſake the world, their ſins, and carnall pleaſures, they were preſently bound to part with mirth and gladneſſe, ioy and delight, doe purpoſely affect a ſad countenance and carriage, a demure and deiected looke, inwardly ſighing and groning vponupon eueryevery ſlight occaſion, drooping and hanging downe the head, as though all ioy were in the pleaſures of ſinne which they hauehave forſaken, and no cauſe at all of reioycing in their preſent eſtate. Wherby they not onelyonly make their owne liues tedious and weariſome, and ſo ouer-ſtrait & ſtrict, vnpleaſant and vncomfortable, that being tyred with it, they are not able to hold out, but change this rigourous ſeueritie for licencious liberty; or elſe goe forward without life and ſpirit, courage or comfort: but alſo by their example diſcourage others that are without, from taking vponupon them the profeſſion of Chriſtianity, or reſoluing to leade a godly life, as fearing that it is ſo auſtere and deſtitute of all ioy and delight, that it is altogether intolerable and not to be indured. Whereas contrariwiſe, if as they hauehave greater cauſe, they could alſo perceiue, that they hauehave aboue all other the greateſt, moſt ſolid, and laſting ioy, it would be a notable inducement to moue them to take vponupon them their holy profeſſion, and to reſolue that they will follow and ioyne with them in the practice of thoſe duties, in which they diſcerne ſuch pleaſure and comfort.
§. Sect. 3 That no ioy of worldlings is comparable to that which is in Chriſtians.
But that thoſe who affect ſuch melancholike heauineſſe, & purpoſely baniſh both out of their hearts and countenances all ioy and mirth, may be reclaimed from going on ſtill in this erroneous and tedious courſe, and that others may not be diſcouraged by their example, from reſoluing to lead a godly life; let vsus know, that there is no ioy comparable vntounto that which is, or ought to be in Chriſtians, that deſire to ſerue and pleaſe God in their holy conuerſation. For if, as Bernard hath Oblatus ſiquidem Iſaac; ſanctificatus eſt, non mactatus. Non Iſaac, ſed aries morietur, non peribit tibi laetitia, ſed contumacia, &c. Bernard. ſermo de verbis Petri, Ecce, nos reliquimus omnia:excellently obſerued, wee can be content with Abraham, in faith and obedience towards God, to offer and ſacrifice our Iſaac: Firſt, our laughter and ioy, it ſhall onelyonly be ſanctified, but not ſlaughtred and killed. Thy Iſaac ſhall not die, nor thy mirth periſh, but the Ram only, that is, the peruerſneſſe and prophaneneſſe of thy pleaſure and ioy, which endeth alwayes in griefe and anxiety. Iſaac thy ioy ſhall not die, as thou ſuppoſeſt, but ſhall ſurely liue; onelyonly it ſhall be lifted aloft vponupon the Altar and vponupon the wood, that thy ioy may be holy and heauenly, ſublime and lofty, not in the fleſh and things beneath, but in ſpirituall things, in the croſſe of Chriſt, & thoſe high and holy priuiledges which we hauehave through him. For howſoeuer Chriſtians in their firſt conuerſion and humiliation, chiefely act the part of ſorrow & heauines in the ſight and ſenſe of their manifold and haynous ſinnes, and ſhead teares of bitter griefe, looking vponupon him whom they hauehave pierced, yet being Zach. 12. 10. Rom. 5. 1, 3.iuſtified by faith, & hauing peace with God, in aſſurance of his mercy, and remiſſion of their ſins, they triumph with ioy, euen in their afflictions and tribulations, and though they ſow in teares, yet they reape in ioy; though they hauehave a dropping and ſorrowfull ſeed-time, yet their harueſt, which yeeldeth vntounto them a fruitfull crop of ſauing graces, (which yet are but the firſt fruits of their ſucceeding ioy and heauenly happines) is full of mirth & gladnes. So that with Dauid they reioyce Pſal. 4. 7.more in the bright beames of Gods gracious countenance ſhining vponupon them, then worldlings doe or can doe, when their corne and wine is increaſed. And though they be, in reſpect of their afflicted eſtate, As ſorrowfull, yet they are alwaies reioycing (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) becauſe 2. Cor. 6. 10.they know that all things, euen croſſes and calamities themſelues worke together for their good. The which will more manifeſtly appeare, if we a little further conſider the teſtimonies and examples of holy Scripture. For the Pſalmiſt telleth vsus, that the voyce of reioycing and Pſal. 118. 15.ſaluation is in the Tabernacles of the righteous; And Salomon ſpeaking of Wiſdome, which conſiſteth in the ſauing knowledge of God and his truth, and the practice of it in all holy and religious duties, ſaith that her wayes, are wayes of pleaſantneſſe, and all her paths are peace. So Dauid ſaith Pro. 3. 17.of the Church and children of God, the liuely members of it, That Pſal. 36. 8.they ſhould be abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſſe of his houſe, and that he would make them drinke of the riuers of his pleaſure. Our Sauiour alſo promiſeth vntounto the Diſciples, and in them to all the faithfull, that he Iob. 16. 22.would giuegive them ſuch a permanent ioy, as no man ſhould be able to take it from them. And finally, the Apoſtle ſetteth it downe, not as a common gift, but as a ſpeciall fruit of the Spirit (not drooping ſorrow, and diſconſolate heauineſſe, but) ioy and peace. And this alſo appeareth Gal. 5. 22.by the examples of the holy men of God recorded in the Scriptures: Thus Dauid ſaith; My ſoule ſhall bee ioyfull in the Lord, it ſhall reioyce Pſal. 35. 9.in his ſaluation. Neither did he onelyonly thus reioyce in the teſtimonies of Gods fauour, and conqueſt of his enemies, but alſo in his obedience and keeping of Gods Law: I hauehave reioyced in the way of thy Pſal. 119. 14, 16.teſtimonies as much as in all riches. I will delight my ſelfe in thy Statutes: I will not forget thy Word. And againe; I delight to doe thy will, O my God, Pſal. 40. 8.yea thy Law is within mine heart. Thus the Apoſtles reioyced euen in Act. 5. 41.their perſecutions, becauſe they were thought worthy to ſuffer for Chriſts ſake; and Paul and Silas, when as their backes were torne Act. 16.with ſore ſtripes, and their feete locked in the Stockes. Thus the Apoſtle found matter enough to glorie in through Ieſus Chriſt, in things Rom. 15. 17.pertayning to God: And taſted ſuch vnſpeakeable ioy in the knowledge of Chriſt and him crucified, that he diſclaymeth all other Gal. 6. 14.ioy. And elſe-where he profeſſeth, that he had no ſcant meaſure of this ſweet delight, but that he was filled with comfort, and was exceeding 2. Cor. 7. 4.ioyfull, euen in all his tribulations. Neither is this ioy whereof I ſpeake, in which the Chriſtian exceedeth all other men, ſenſuall and carnall, in the pleaſures of ſinne, and the fruition of earthly vanities, not in rioting and reuelling, in ſwilling and drinking, dicing and carding, vaine dalliance and good fellowſhip, chambring and wantonneſſe: for ſuch Eccleſ. 2 1, 2.pleaſure he accounteth vanity, and ſuch mirth madneſſe; and chuſeth rather to goe into the houſe of mourning, then into the houſe of ſuch feaſting & reioycing, becauſe ſuch ioy & laughter is but ſhort and momentany, like the crackling of thornes vnderunder a pot, and alwaies endeth in Eccleſ. 7. 2, 6.ſorrow and anxiety. It is not in mad mirth, and in ſinfull and vnlawfull delights: for Chriſtian charity reioyceth not in iniquity, but reioyceth in the 1. Cor. 13. 6.truth; and this ioy is alwayes ioyned with righteouſnes, and the peace of a Rom. 14. 17.good conſcience, in which the Kingdome of God conſiſteth. For being ſubiects of Chriſts Kingdome, ſuch as it is, ſuch alſo is their ioy; but his Kingdome is not of this world, but ſpirituall & heauenly: and therefore their ioy and reioycing is likewiſe of the ſame nature. And howſoeuer Gods children may and ought to reioyce euen in his temporary bleſſings, as they are teſtimonies of their heauenly Fathers louelove, and alſo in honeſt ſports and recreations, of which I hauehave before ſpoken, wherby they are fitted for higher duties, as muſicke, ſhooting, hunting, hawking, and ſuch like, thoſe cautions before ſet downe being duely obſerued; yea, howſoeuer in theſe reſpects they hauehave greater & more iuſt cauſe of ioy and reioycing then any worldling, becauſe theſe are but vſurpers, who hauehave a fearefull account to make of their intruſion, whereas the other hauehave their right reſtored vntounto them by Ieſus Chriſt; yet, theſe are not the chiefe ioyes which they reſt vponupon, as being in cō pariſon, dull and heartleſſe, cold and comfortleſſe; only they vſe them for the neceſſity of their body & naturall life, as ſome ſmall refreſhings in their Inne, that they may afterwards with more ſtrength & cheerefulneſſe, proceed in their iourney. But the prime and principall ioyes which rauiſh their ſoules with inward delight, are ſecret & vnknowne to all, ſauing thoſe who hauehave taſted of them. So that they may ſay to worldlings of their ioyes, when they obiect vntounto them their ſadneſſe & want of mirth, as our Sauiour of his meat, We hauehave ioyes which you know not of, ſeeing our ioy is to doe the will of our heauenly Father. For it is that hidden Manna which our Sauiour giueth them to eat, & like Ioh. 4. 34. Apoc. 2. 17.that new name written in the white ſtone, which no man knoweth, ſauing he that receiueth it. It is a beauty which cannot be beheld with carnall eyes, and a ſweetneſſe which is not relliſhed by a common & prophane taſte, ſeeing it is of an holy & ſpirituall nature: ſo that when Chriſtians are ſo afflicted in their outward eſtate, that they ſeeme vntounto naturall men to hauehave no cauſe at all of reioycing, they may notwithſtanding ſay with the Apoſtle, We hauehave wherof we may glory through Ieſus Chriſt, in thoſe things Rom. 15. 17.which pertaine to God.
§. Sect. 4 Of the diuers obiects of our ſpirituall ioy.
Now the obiects of this Spirituall ioy are diuers, the chief and principall is God himſelfe, his Chriſt and holy Spirit, for he being the ſummum bonum, the ſupreme ioy and chiefe bleſſednes, the fruition of him and his grace, and the bright beames of his face and fauor ſhining vponupon vsus, muſt needs be the matter & cauſe of ſupreme and vnſpeakable ioy. And this is that ioy, and reioycing in the Lord, which is in the Scriptures not only permitted to the faithfull, & reſtrained vntounto them alone as their peculiar and proper right, but enioyned & required as being a duty which we owe vntounto God, the performance wherof maketh them happy & bleſſed. Let not (ſaith the Lord) the wiſe man glory in his wiſdome, Ier. 9. 24.nor the mighty man in his might, nor the rich man in his riches; But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he vnderſtandeth and knoweth me, &c. So the Pſalmiſt exhorteth to this ioy; Reioyce in the Lord, O yee righteous, for praiſe is Pſal. 33. 1.comely for the vpright. Of which he propoundeth himſelfe for an example; My ſoule ſhalbe ioyfull in the Lord, it ſhall reioyce in his ſaluation. And the Pſal. 35. 9.Apoſtle likewiſe; Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord. And againe; 2. Cor. 10. 17. Phil. 4. 4.Reioyce in the Lord alway, and againe I ſay reioyce. In which himſelfe tooke ſuch abundant comfort and contentment, that he reſteth in it alone, and renounceth all other ioyes; God forbid that I ſhould glory in any thing, ſauing Gal 6. 14.duplicate page duplicate page in the Croſſe of Ieſus Chriſt; by whom the world is crucified vntounto me, and I vntounto the world. And if we thus reioyce in the Lord, we ſhall not only be bleſſed and happie in our worke, but alſo in our wages and reward, which is promiſed vntounto all thoſe who make him their chiefeſt ioy; according to that of the Pſalmiſt, Delight thy ſelfe in the Lord, and he ſhall giuegive thee Pſal. 37. 4.the deſires of thine heart. So the Lord promiſeth to the faithfull, that they ſhould delight themſelues in him, and hee would cauſe them to ride Eſa. 58. 14.vponupon the high places of the earth, and feede them with the heritage of Iacob, &c. And as the Faithfull doe thus reioyce in God himſelfe, ſo alſo in his Word and workes. For when they finde ſweeteneſſe and comfort in the ſpirituall Manna and food of their ſoules, then they feede vponupon it with ioy and delight. So Dauid, I hauehave reioyced in the way of thy Teſtimonies, as much as in all riches. Thy Teſtimonies are my delight Pſal. 119. 14, 24, 103, 111, 162.and my councellors. Thy Teſtimonies hauehave I taken as an heritage for euer, for they are the reioycing of mine heart. How ſweet are thy words vntounto my taſte, yea, ſweeter then hony vntounto my mouth! I reioyce at thy Word, as one that findeth great ſpoyle. So alſo they reioyce in Gods workes of creation and gouernement, admiring Gods infinite wiſedome, power and goodneſſe that ſhineth in them: Eſpecially in that great worke of our Redemption by Ieſus Chriſt, and in the application thereof vntounto themſelues, by the inward and effectuall working of Gods Word and holy Spirit. Thus alſo doe they reioyce in the life of fayth, and in the fruits thereof, their ſanctification and new obedience, and in the teſtimony of a good conſcience, according to that of the Apoſtle, Our reioycing is this, the teſtimony of our conſcience, that in ſimplicity and 2. Cor. 1. 12.godly ſincerity, not with fleſhly wiſedome; but by the grace of God, wee hauehave had our conuerſation in the world. Yea, the faithfull with holy and heauenly mindes doe reioyce in earthly and temporary bleſſings, in their houſes and lands, wiues and children, meates and drinkes, paſtimes and recreations. For to this end God hath giuen them; neither is there (as the Wiſe man ſpeaketh) in them any other good, but for Eccleſ. 3. 12, 13.a man to reioyce in their fruition, and to doe good in his life; and that eueryevery man ſhould eate and drinke, and inioy the fruit of his labour, it is the gift of God. And againe; Behold that which I hauehave ſeene. It is good and comely for one to eate and to drinke, and to inioy the good of all his Eccleſ. 5. 18, 19.labour that hee taketh vnderunder the Sunne, all the dayes of his life which God giueth him; for it is his portion. EueryEvery man alſo to whom God hath giuen riches and wealth, and hath giuen him power to eate thereof, and to take his portion, and to reioyce in his labour, this is the gift of God.
§. Sect. 5 That the Chriſtians chiefeſt ioy is Spirituall, and wherein it exceedeth all other ioyes.
So that no lawfull ioy, either ſpirituall, or temporall, inward or outward, is wanting vntounto the righteous who deſire to pleaſe God. But yet their chiefe and principall ioy in which they exceede all others, is ſpirituall, in the aſſurance of Gods louelove and their owne ſaluation, and that both in reſpect of the excellency, perpetuity and propriety of it. For firſt, it excelleth all other ioyes, being of a ſpirituall and diuine nature, and (as it were) a ſhort prelude to that heauenly and harmonious ioy, of which wee ſhall hauehave the full and euerlaſting fruition in the life to come. For ſo the Apoſtle teacheth vsus, that the Kingdome of God (that Rom. 14. 17.is, the firſt beginnings of it in this world) conſiſteth not in meates and drinkes, but in righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioy in the holy Ghoſt; and they who hauehave here taſted theſe firſt beginnings of this heauenly ioy, ſhall hauehave the perfect fruition of that fulneſſe of ioy, and of thoſe eternall pleaſures Pſal. 16. 11. Pro. 28. 12.which are at Gods right hand for euermore. So that when righteous men reioyce, there is great glory, (as the Wiſe man ſpeaketh) ſeeing their ioy farre exceedeth the ioy of them who reioyce in their corne and wine, as being not onelyonly much more excellent both in reſpect of Pſal. 4. 7.the nature and obiect, but alſo an earneſt-penny of a greater bargaine, the firſt beginnings and prime taſte of thoſe full riuers of diuine pleaſures, whereof they ſhall drinke their fill in Gods Kingdome; and the firſt fruits of that heauenly and happie harueſt of ioy, which is reſerued for them in the life to come. And therefore no maruaile, ſeeing this ſpirituall ioy is aboue all others moſt excellent, that Dauid (when hauing wounded his conſcience with grieuous ſinnes, hee was depriued of the ſenſe and feeling of it for a time) did ſo earneſtly deſire to hauehave it againe reſtored: Reſtore vntounto mee Pſal. 36. 8. Pſal. 51. 12.the ioy of thy ſaluation, and vphold mee with thy free Spirit: Seeing herein hee had much more contentment, ſound comfort and delight, then in all the earthly pleaſures, which a Kingdome could yeeld vntounto him? For they all were but ſlight and childiſh, this, ſolid and ſubſtantiall; they, vaine and worthleſſe, this, excellent and of incomparable value; they, ſhort and fickle, momentany and mutable, this, durable and permanent. And this is the ſecond reaſon to commend vntounto vsus this ſpirituall Ioy, in that it is not like worldly ioyes, onelyonly by fits and flaſhes, but ſettled and conſtant in all eſtates and conditions, as well in aduerſity and affliction, as in proſperity and all earthly aboundance. For if our hearts bee once repleniſhed with this Ioy, no man ſhall bee able to take it from vsus; and being of a ſpirituall Rom. 5. 3. Iohn 16. 22.and diuine nature, no earthly thing can quell or quench it. No priſon can locke it from vsus, no baniſhment can diuide and ſeuer vsus, no loſſes and croſſes, confiſcations of goods, Rackes or Gibbets, fire or ſword, can take it away and depriue vsus of it. For in all extremities wee hauehave an inward Comforter, euen the Spirit of God dwelling in vsus, which filleth our hearts with ioy, and turneth our mourning into mirth and gladneſſe, and as our afflictions Iohn 16. 7. 2. Cor. 1. 5.doe abound, ſo alſo he cauſeth our conſolations to abound much more. Wee liue the life of faith, and not of ſenſe, which looketh not ſo much vponupon things preſent, as vntounto our future hopes and certaineties, and hereby wee apply vntounto vsus Gods Word and gracious promiſes, which ſupplyeth comfort ſufficient to ſupport vsus in all our ſorrowes. For it aſſureth vsus, that thoſe are bleſſed which mourne now, becauſe they ſhall bee comforted, and which weepe now, for they ſhall laugh. Math. 5. 4. Luke …. 21.That all things, euen afflictions themſelues ſhal worke together for the beſt, and our momentany and light ſuffrings ſhall cauſe vntounto vsus a farre moſt excellent Rom. 8 28. 2 Cor. 4. 17. Act. 14. 22. 2. Tim. 2. 12.and eternall waight of glory, that by theſe many tribulations wee ſhall enter into the Kingdome of heauen: and if we ſuffer with Chriſt, wee ſhall alſo raigne with him. And this was that Word of God applyed by faith, which was Dauids comfort in his afflictions, without which hee ſhould hauehave periſhed. Pſal. 119. 50, 92This was it which made the Church of Macedonia in a great triall 2 Cor. 8. 2.of affliction, and in their deepe pouerty, to hauehave withall abundance of ioy. This made the godly Hebrewes to take ioyfully the ſpoyling of their goods, knowing Heb. 10. 34.that they had in heauen a better and induring ſubſtance. Finally, by this the Apoſtle himſelfe was filled with comfort, and exceeding ioyfull in all his 2. Cor. 7. 8.tribulations. But contrariwiſe, the carnall ioy of worldlings in the pleaſures of ſinne, is fickle and falſe, mutable and momentany, like the ſhort blaze and crackling of thornes vnderunder a pot, or laughter in a fit of phrenſie, Eccl. 7. 6.or of a man tickled, which laugheth in the face and countenance, when he is grieued at the heart; becauſe in the middeſt of their mirth they hauehave many a cold qualme and checke of conſcience, being not able to forget, that after all their youthfull reioycing, they muſt come vntounto Iudgement. Chap. 11. verſ. 9.The which euen in laughter maketh the heart ſorrowfull, becauſe the end of Prou. 14. 13.their mirth is heauineſſe; and when they glory in outward appearance, to hauehave 2. Cor. 5. 12.no ioy at all in the heart. For who but fooles can reioyce in their full barnes, and abundant prouiſions, that remembreth, This night his ſoule ſhall be Luk. 12. 20.taken from him? Who can hauehave any ſound ioy and comfort in ſuch pleaſures and delights, which within a while ſhall end in endleſſe woe and miſery; according to that of our Sauiour, Woe vntounto you that laugh now, for Luk 6. 25.ye ſhall mourne and weepe?
§. Sect. 6 That this ſpirituall ioy is proper to the godly, and belongeth to no other.
Finally, the faithfull, who reſolue and indeuour to ſerue and pleaſe God in the duties of a godly life, hauehave propriety in this ſpirituall and Pſal. 33. 1. Pſal. 111. 8, 15.heauenly ioy, ſeeing it belongeth to them all, and to them alone, none other hauing any part and ſhare in this high and holy priuiledge. For firſt, this ioy in the Scriptures is appropriated vntounto them onelyonly, and no other. So the Pſalmiſt; Reioyce in the Lord, O ye righteous, for praiſe is comely for the vpright. And againe, Light is ſowne for the righteous, and gladneſſe for the vpright in heart. The voyce of reioycing and ſaluation is in the Tabernacles of the righteous. In which regard, he deſireth to ſee the good of Pſal. 106. 5.Gods choſen, to reioyce in the gladneſſe of his Nation, that hee might glory with his inheritance. And the Prophet Eſay ioyneth theſe together; Thou meeteſt Eſa. 64. 5.him that reioyceth and worketh righteouſneſſe. Secondly, the faithfull can only thus reioyce, becauſe all the cauſes of this ſpirituall ioy belong peculiarly vntounto them alone. For they onelyonly are elected to ſaluation, in which reſpect, our Sauiour exhorteth his Diſciples to reioyce in this, becauſe their names were written in the Booke of life. They alone are the redeemed of Luk. 10. 20.the Lord, who being freed out of the captiuity of all their ſpirituall enemies, hauehave exceeding great and iuſt cauſe to reioyce in this gracious deliuerance. And when by the glad tidings of the Goſpell, the Lord proclaimeth Eſa. 61. 1, 2, 3.liberty to captiues, and the opening of the priſon to them that are bound, then doth hee alſo thereby comfort them that mourne, giuing vntounto them beauty for aſhes, and for mourning, the oyle of ioy. So the Prophet ſaith, that the redeemed of the Lord ſhall returne, and come with ſinging vntounto Sion; and euerlaſting Eſa. 51. 11.ioy ſhall be vponupon their heads; they ſhall obtaine gladneſſe, and ioy; and ſorrow and mourning ſhall flee away. They are called to the Marriage of the Math. 22. 2.Kings Sonne, and feaſted with a delicious banquet of his ſpeciall fauours; and none but they hauehave communion with Chriſt, that they may reioyce Cant. 2. 4, 5.and ſolace themſelues in the fruition of his louelove. They, and none beſides, are iuſtified of Gods free grace, through the righteouſneſſe and obedience of Ieſus Chriſt, and therefore hauehave cauſe to be of good comfort, ſeeing Math. 9. 2.their ſinnes are forgiuen them. So the faithfull profeſſe, that they would greatly reioyce in the Lord, and that their ſoules ſhould be ioyfull in their God, Eſa. 61. 10.becauſe he had clothed them with the garment of ſaluation, and couered them with the robe of righteouſneſſe, as a Bridegroome decketh himſelfe with ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth her ſelfe with her Iewels. They alſo hauehave cauſe, aboue all others, of ioy and reioycing, in that they are reconciled vntounto God by Ieſus Chriſt, and are at peace with him, and with their owne conſciences, Rom. 5. 1, 3.in which reſpect they hauehave iuſt cauſe of glorying in their tribulations: for this peace with God, paſſeth all vnderſtanding, and his louelove is Phil. 4. 7. Cant. 1. 2.better then wine, refreſhing and cheering our harts more, then all the cold qualmes of worldly croſſes can daunt and diſmay them; ſeeing by Gods louelove towards vsus, and our louelove towards him, wee hauehave this priuiledge, that all things ſhall worke together for our good. They alone hauehave the Spirit of Rom. 8. 28.God dwelling in them, which worketh in their hearts this ſpirituall ioy, Gal. 5. 22.and by vniting them vntounto Chriſt, and through him vntounto God his Father, the Authour and Fountaine of all goodneſſe, bleſſedneſſe and ioy, doth giuegive vntounto them cauſe ſufficient of triumphing with ioy vnſpeakable and Eſa. 51. 12.glorious, in the fruition of all happineſſe through this ſweet and happy communion. Finally, the faithfull onelyonly who ſerue and pleaſe God, hauehave hope and aſſurance of eternall bleſſedneſſe in the Kingdome of heauen, when all teares being wiped away from their eyes, they ſhall bee comforted Apoc. 21. 4.after their mourning, and after their weeping, laugh and reioyce. For Math. 5. 4.the Lord will ſhew them the path of life, and cauſe them to inioy in his preſence Luk. 6. 21.fulneſſe of ioy, and at his right hand pleaſures for euermore. In which regard, Pſal. 16. 11.the godly, in this aſſurance of faith, hauehave as much greater, and better cauſe of reioycing aboue all worldlings, who abound in their preſent poſſeſſions of earthly wealth, and wallow themſelues in voluptuous pleaſures, as a young heire in his nonage, who expecteth the inheritance of ſome goodly Lordſhip, or if you will, ſome great and glorious Monarchy, hath more cauſe of reioycing, then a poore cotager in a ſilly tenement, in which for the preſent he dwelleth, but yet onelyonly holdeth it at the Landlords pleaſure. For there we ſhall hauehave riches and treaſures which Mat. 6. 19, 20.cannot ruſt with canker, nor we be robbed of them by theeues; there are honours ſubiect to no blemiſh of diſgrace, and pleaſures for euermore. In all which reſpects, let the righteous be glad, as the Pſalmiſt exhorteth, let Pſal. 68. 3.them reioyce before God, yea, let them exceedingly reioyce. And that not by fits and flaſhes, but at all times, and vponupon all occaſions, according to that of the Apoſtle; Reioyce euermore. Neither is there any time vnſeaſonable for 1. Theſ. 5. 16.the ſpirituall ioy of the righteous, ſo long as they hauehave the face and fauour of God ſhining vponupon them, which is all-ſufficient in it ſelfe to turne all their mourning into mirth, and their ſorrow into gladneſſe; euen when they are ſore pinched and preſſed with the waight of their afflictions; and cauſe them to reioyce inwardly in their hearts, when their cheekes are bedewed with their teares. Heerein, quite contrary to the wicked, who reioyce in the face, but not in the heart, whereas the faithfull 2. Cor. 5. 12.doe inwardly glory, euen in their tribulations, which notwithſtanding being bitter and vnpleaſant to the fleſh, do make them to diſcouer nothing but griefe in their outward countenance. Yea, ſorrow for ſinne it ſelfe, when as wee mourne as a man mourneth for the death of his onelyonly ſonne and firſt borne, doth not abate our ſpirituall ioy, yea in truth it doth much increaſe it; for this godly ſorrow worketh repentance to ſaluation, not to 2. Cor. 7. 10.be repented of, and cauſeth the true Chriſtian exceedingly to reioyce, in that he can heartily grieue, becauſe by his ſinnes hee hath diſpleaſed his God. And this trembling in the ſight and ſenſe of our ſinnes, and the Iudgements of God due vntounto them, may, through faith aſſuring vsus, that by Chriſt we are freed from them, be ioyned with inward gladneſſe, according to that of the Pſalmiſt; Serue the Lord with feare, and reioyce Pſal. 2. 11.with trembling.
§. Sect. 7 An admonition to the faithfull, to lay h…ld on this ioyfull priuiledge, and to ſhake off ſorrow and ſadneſſe.
By all which it appeareth, that godlineſſe doth not depriue any of ioy and gladneſſe; yea rather, the more godly we are, the better right and title we hauehave vntounto it, and may iuſtly exceed all others as much in mirth and cheerfulneſſe, as we hauehave in vsus more then they, the cauſes of all ſound and ſolid reioycing. The which as it ſhould perſwade all who are yet vnreſolued, to enter without delay, into this Chriſtian courſe, that they may attaine vntounto this high and excellent priuiledge, and not ſuffer themſelues to be any longer diſcouraged with this vaine and falſe conceit, that they muſt leaue all their chiefeſt ioyes, when they leaue and forſake the pleaſures of ſinne: ſo ſhould it mooue thoſe who hauehave a deſire and purpoſe to ſerue and pleaſe God, to lay hold of this ioyfull priuiledge, ſeeing God freely offereth it vntounto them, and not any longer to pleaſe themſelues with their melancholike dumpes, and affected ſadneſſe, as though they were greateſt proficients in mortification, when they moſt exceed in lumpiſh heauines, which needs to be mortified as well as any other carnall affection, that in ſtead thereof our hearts may bee repleniſhed with ſpirituall ioy. For hereby they doe not onelyonly exceedingly diſcredit and diſgrace a godly life, and by caſting vponupon it this falſe aſperſion of ſorrow and ſadnes, diſcourage others from entring into it; but alſo make it to become ſo tedious and troubleſome, harſh and vnpleaſant, that they cannot proceed in it without much vncomfortableneſſe; nor performe the duties of Gods ſeruice with any cheerfulneſſe and delight, when as their ſpirits are dulled and deaded with this mournfull and deiected heauineſſe. For as the Wiſe man hath obſerued; Heauineſſe in the heart of man maketh Pro. 12. 25.it ſtoope, needing no other burthen to ouerwhelme it, ſeeing it is preſſed downe with its owne waight. And againe; A merry heart maketh a cheerfull Pro. 15. 13, 15.countenance, but by ſorrow of the heart the ſpirit is broken. All the dayes of the afflicted are euill, but he that is of a merry heart, hath a continuall feaſt. And in another place; A merry heart doth good like a medicine, but a broken Prou. 17. 22.ſpirit dryeth the bones. Now that they may ſhake off this ſadneſſe, and raiſe their drooping hearts with ſpirituall ioy, let them conſider, that ſorrow and heauineſſe in themſelues are euill, and the fruits of ſinne; and therefore are not ſimply acceptable vntounto God, who delighteth not in the griefe and vexation of his ſeruants, but onelyonly when they are ſanctified, moderate in their meaſure, ſeaſonable in their time, placed vponupon a right ſubiect, which can be nothing elſe but ſinne and puniſhment, and directed to a right end. Secondly, that ſanctified ioy is a fruit of the Spirit, and pleaſing vntounto God, as being a part of that ſeruice which hee requireth of vsus in the firſt Table, ſeeing this is one way of hauing God in our hearts, when we reioyce in him; beſides that, it is a meanes of all other parts of Gods worſhip, which cannot be well performed without ioy and cheerfulneſſe. Thirdly, let them conſider, that the Lord promiſeth this ioy and gladneſſe, as a ſingular priuiledge, and a ſpeciall benefit vntounto the faithfull; and therefore that it is great folly to refuſe it when hee offereth it. Thus the Prophet ſaith, that in the Church ſhall bee heard the voyce of ioy, and the Ier. 33. 11.voyce of gladneſſe; the voyce of the Bridegroome, and the voyce of the Bride; the voyce of them that ſhall ſay, Praiſe the Lord of hoſts. For the Lord is good, and his mercy indureth for euer. And our Sauiour hath promiſed, that hee will Joh. 16. 22.giuegive vntounto the faithfull ſuch conſtant and permanent ioy, as no man ſhall be able to take from thē. Fourthly, that the priuation of this ioy is threatned as a puniſhment for ſinne: Thou ſhalt not goe into the houſe of feaſting, to Jer. 16. 8. and 23. 10.ſit with them to eate and drinke: For thus ſaith the Lord of hoſts, the God of Iſrael, Behold, I will cauſe to ceaſe out of this place in your eyes, and in your dayes, the voyce of mirth, and the voyce of gladneſſe, the voyce of the Bridegroome, and the voyce of the Bride. And againe; I will cauſe all her mirth to Hoſ. 2. 11.ceaſe, her feaſt dayes, her new Moones and Sabbaths, and all her ſolemne feaſts. And therfore who can pleaſe himſelfe in affecting ſorrow and heauineſſe, which the Lord threateneth as a puniſhment of ſinne? Fifthly, let them conſider, that as mourning is a preparation to faith, and (as it were) a ſorrowfull ſeed-time; ſo ioy and reioycing is the effect and fruit, the croppe and harueſt of it, whereby we may try it, both in reſpect of the truth, and alſo the degree of it; for whereas there is no reioycing, there is no faith; little ioy, weake faith; and fulneſſe of ioy, fulneſſe alſo of perſwaſion. Neither is it poſſible that a man can hauehave aſſurance of Gods louelove, the remiſſion of his ſinnes, and of that ineſtimable happineſſe which is reſerued in our heauenly inheritance, but that his heart muſt needs bee filled with ioy and reioycing. Although it cannot be denyed, but that in the time of our firſt conuerſion and humiliation, and in the caſe of ſpirituall deſertions, when God hideth his face, and ſeemeth to withdraw from vsus the teſtimonies of his louelove and fauour; this ioy is ſo eclypſed, that the warmth and comfort of it is hardly to bee diſcerned, euen as faith it ſelfe, from which it ſpringeth, is like a fire raked vnderunder the aſhes, and not to bee perceiued by ſenſe and feeling. Finally, conſider that this ſpirituall ioy maketh vsus bleſſed, as not onelyonly being it ſelfe full of ſweetneſſe and comfort, but alſo the firſt beginning, and the very entrance into the eternall ioyes of Gods Kingdome; wherewith our drooping hearts are ſo cheered and refreſhed, that all difficulties become eaſie, all tediouſneſſe in Gods ſeruice is taken away, and the time that is ſpent therein ſeemeth ſhort and pleaſant. In which reſpect the Pſalmiſt pronounceth that people bleſſed, Pſal. 89. 15, 16.that know the ioyfull ſound, becauſe they ſhall walke cheerfully in the light of Gods countenance; reioycing in his name all the day, and being exalted in his righteouſneſſe. And therefore let all thoſe who deſire to goe forward in the duties of a godly life with comfort and cheerefulneſſe, labour to hauehave their hearts repleniſhed with this ſpirituall ioy, and to ſcatter and diſpell, as much as in them lieth, the foggy miſts of ſad, melancholy, and lumpiſh heauineſſe, which maketh vsus either to ſtand ſtill in the wayes of godlineſſe for want of this ioyfull light, or to goe forward in them ſlowly, and with much diſcomfort and wearineſſe. And to this end, let them labour earneſtly to liue the life of faith, which draweth from Chriſt all the cordials of comfort, and to bee thereby more and more aſſured of the remiſſion of their ſinnes, their reconciliation with God, and of the eternall ſaluation of their ſoules, which will lift vp their hearts with vnſpeakeable ioy, euen when they are moſt deiected with worldly afflictions; and make them to goe on cheerefully in the duties of Gods ſeruice, when they are fully aſcertained of ſuch liberall wages, and ſuch an ineſtimable recompence of heauenly rewards.