The Christian Temper, Discourse 10
Of Spiritual Joy.
ANd ſo I come to the Trial of Mens Joyes. As there are counterfeit Graces; ſo there are falſe Joyes. As we read of the Hope of the Hypocrite, ſo likewiſe of the Joy of the Hypocrite, Job 20.5. A Joy that will end in ſorrow, and conſternation.
Yea, It is poſſible for Souls that have true Grace, yet to be miſtaken in their Joys. As we find the Seventy Diſciples returning with Joy, (Luk. 10.17.) ſaying, Lord, even the Devils are ſubject unto us through thy Name- Notwithſtanding (ſays Chriſt, v. 20.) in this rejoyce not, that the Spirits are ſubject unto you: but, rather rejoyce, becauſe your names are written in Heaven. Where he at once corrects, and directs their Joy. As one ſays, Many times the more excellent a Sermon is, Mr. A. Burg.the more carnal the heart of the Preacher may be. So Chriſtians may rejoyce carnally in Spiritual Enlargements, and Spiritual Experiences. As Grace can find ſomething, even in natural comforts, to feed, and increaſe Spiritual Joy, Joy in the Lord; So Corruption ſometimes prevailes on the contrary, making Spiritual Duties, and Spiritual Priviledges and Mercies the matter and ground of carnal rejoycing.
And further, as ſome Chriſtians through weakneſs yield to needleſs fears, and take up ſad concluſions againſt themſelves, and their own Eſtates, debarring themſelves of comfort belonging to them; So others again through heedleſneſs, pleaſe themſelves erroneouſly in their own fancies, and rejoyce in ſparks of their own kindling, which they take for the comforts of the Spirit. That we ſhould not only try our Graces, but our Comforts. For which purpoſe take theſe following notes.
(1.) Spiritual Joy is not wont to come in, till Godly Sorrow hath prepared and made way for it. Bernard.Opportunè poſt triſtitiam gaudium ſubit, poſt laborem quies, poſt naufragium portus. Thus the Lord oft turns Water into Wine, turns his Peoples Sorrow into Joy. Chriſt was anointed, to give the Oyl of Joy for mourning, the Garments of Praiſe for the ſpirit of heavineſs, Iſa. 61.3. They that ſow in Tears, ſhall reap in Joy, Pſal. 126.5, 6. Hearts that were never broken, are not yet prepared for Chriſt to bind them up. Paul had a caſting down to the Earth, before he was caught up to the third Heavens. They that have great elevations of Joy, and yet were never humbled for Sin, have cauſe enough to ſuſpect their Joy is not right.
(2.) Spiritual Joy hath the Holy Spirit for its Authour. Thus it is the Joy of the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Theſ. 1.6. As I ſaid of a lively Hope, it is a fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. Miniſters may be helpers of a Believers Joy, (as 2 Cor. 1.24.) but under the Spirit. He is the principal efficient. Now they that have not the Holy Ghoſt their Sanctifier, cannot have him their Comforter. The Diſciples were filled with Joy, and with the Holy Ghoſt, Act. 13.52. This fruit of the Spirit never grows alone: but hath other fruits accompanying it. Indeed there may be Saving, Sanctifying Grace without actual Joy, and Conſolation: but there cannot be true Joy without Saving, Sanctifying Grace.
(3.) Spiritual Joy is never to be found without Saving Faith. Rom. 15.13. Now the God of Hope fill you with Joy and Peace in believing. No other way that it can be attained. Sound Joy is the Joy of Faith. Phil. 1.25. Being juſtified by Faith, we have Peace with God,—and rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God, Rom. 5.1, 2. Without true Saving Juſtifying Faith, no Peace with God; and without Peace and Reconciliation with God, no ground for Joy. So then, if we would know whether our Joy be right, we muſt inquire after the truth of our Faith. Certainly a temporary Faith can have no betrer than a temporary Joy following it.
(4.) Spiritual Joy ordinarily is not attained without ſelf-probation, without ſelf-ſearching. Gal. 6.4. Let every Man prove his own work, and then ſhall he have rejoycing in himſelf. The ground of an Hypocrites Joy ordinarily is out of himſelf, in the good opinion and eſteem of others. But ſays the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 1.12. Our rejoycing is this, the teſtimony of our Conſcience. And this (we ſee) is the Scripture-way and method for attaining Spiritual Joy, to commune with our own Hearts, to ask our own Conſciences ſeriouſly, what evidence they can give that we are in a ſtate of Grace, that our works are done in Sincerity? And when Conſcience can give teſtimony of our Godly Sincerity, and Integrity, then indeed we have good ground to rejoyce. But therefore ſuch as are great ſtrangers to themſelves, and fear examining their Conſciences ſtrictly, leſt they ſhould tell them ſuch things, as they have no mind to hear, or know of themſelves, are not likely to have any other than a falſe Peace, and falſe Joy.
(5.) Spiritual Joy uſeth to come in in a way of Prayer. Therefore in the want of it David betook himſelf to earneſt Prayer, Pſal. 51.8, 12. Make me to hear Joy and Gladneſs: that the bones which thou haſt broken may rejoyce. Reſtore unto me the Joy of thy Salvation. Yea, he pleads this as an Argument with God, Pſal. 86.4. Rejoyce the Soul of thy Servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my Soul. So he pleads it for others, Pſal. 105.3. Let the Heart of them rejoyce, that ſeek the Lord. (If it be not rather a call to ſuch to rejoyce, and glory in him.) This advice and counſel Chriſt gave his dear Diſciples, Joh. 16.24. Ask, and you ſhall receive, that your Joy may be full. Chriſtians that are moſt Prayerful, are in the moſt hopeful way to be full of Joy too. But ſuch as neglect and deſpiſe Prayer, their Joy may well be queſtioned. There is juſt cauſe to fear, ſuch come not honeſtly by it, who count not ſuch Mercies worth asking, who have it without begging for.
(6.) Another ordinary means of Spiritual Joy is attendance on God's Ordinances. Uſually it is in this way that it is given in, or increaſed. And therefore Ordinances have been a great Joy and comfort to the Faithful. As the Pſalmiſt was glad, when he thought of going into the Houſe of the Lord, Pſal. 122.1. So he rejoiceth at the Word, as one that findeth great ſpoil, Pſal. 119.126. So the Word to Jeremiah was the Joy and rejoicing of his Heart, Jer. 15.16. No wonder that Ordinances are a matter of Joy to the Faithful, which are an ordinary means of the furtherance of their Joy. Iſa. 56.6, 7. There God promiſeth, that thoſe who joyn themſelves to the Lord to ſerve him, and keep the Sabboth from polluting it, ſhall be made joyful in the Houſe of Prayer. Iſa. 12.3. With Joy ſhall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation. Which may be applied to God's Ordinances, as well as to Promiſes. They are breaſts of Conſolation too. As here we may apply that, Iſa. 66.11. That ye may ſuck, and be ſatisfied with the breaſts of her Conſolations, &c. This way indeed we might find comfort in Ordinances, if we come a thirſt to them, come with an appetite, and put forth the ſtrength of our affections in them, if we draw hard at theſe Wells, and ſuck at theſe Breaſts.
But they that cry down Ordinances as empty Forms, and dry Breaſts; they that count themſelves above Ordinances, what ever raptures of Joy they may ſeem to have, we have cauſe to think, they are only ſporting themſelves with their own deceivings. Some have caſt off Prayer, and giving of Thanks, ſome deſpiſe Propheſyings, ſlight and turn their backs on the Miniſtry of the Word; and yet pretend to rejoyce evermore. But certainly the Apoſtle Paul was not of their way, ſee 1 Theſ. 5.16, 17, 18, 20. And the Joy of the Primitive Chriſtians came in another way, Act. 2.42, 46.
Some again are full of confidence, becauſe they frequent God's Worſhip and Ordinances: like thoſe that cryed, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord. But there is little comfort to be taken in an outward attendance on Ordinances, without a Spiritual improvement of them. Yea, ſome that may fall away, have a taſte of the good Word of God, Heb. 6.5, 6. The ſtony-ground Hearers received the Word with Joy, Mat. 13.20. Herod heard John Baptiſt gladly, Mar. 6.20. The unbelieving Jews, ſome of them, for a ſeaſon rejoiced in the Light of John's Miniſtry, Joh. 5.35. Some are taken with a Sermon ſometimes for the comfortable matter of it, or for the Abilities of the Preacher, his eloquent utterance or affectionate delivery, &c. who yet are very far from that Spiritual delight, upright ones find in it. Theſe are not ſo taken with the Sound, as with the Power of it. They are beſt pleaſed with the Word, when it meets with their Corruptions, and does greateſt execution on them; when they have not only their affections moved in the preſent hearing of the Word, but their Hearts eſtabliſhed by it; when they can find their Souls more quickened, and Grace actuated, and increaſed by it.
(7.) Spiritual Joy hath God for its cheif ultimate term, and Object. As it is called the Joy of the Lord, Neh. 8.10. The Joy of the Lord, non activè, ſed paſſivè, Joy in him. How oft are we called to rejoice in the Lord? As the Pſalmiſt called God his exceeding Joy. Pſal. 43.4. Ʋnto God my exceeding Joy, or the gladneſs of my Joy, or my Joy and exultation. Pſal. 9.2. I will be glad, and rejoice in thee, Act. 2.28. Thou ſhalt make me full of Joy with thy Countenance. So a gracious Soul can greatly rejoice, if he has a ſenſe of God's preſence, notwithſtanding the abſence of creature-comforts. Hab. 3.18. Although the Fig-tree bloſom not, &c. Iſa. 61.10. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my Soul ſhall be joyful in my God.
Now hence it appears, that ſuch as have not come to place their cheif delight and happineſs in God, are ſtrangers to Spiritual Joy.
(8.) Spiritual Joy is alſo a rejoycing in Chriſt Jeſus. As he is the cheif and principal means to bring us to God. Rom. 5. We Joy in God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom we have now received the atonement. The faithful are deſcribed, to be ſuch as worſhip God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no confidence in the Fleſh, Phil. 3.3. As he rejoiced who had found the hid treaſure, Mat. 13.44. So do Believers rejoice, having found Chriſt, that rich Treaſure, and Pearl of greateſt price. 1 Pet. 1.8. — In whom believing, ye rejoice with Joy unſpeakable, and full of Glory. Or, if ſometimes they walk heavily, 'tis becauſe they diſcern not their intereſt in him, or find not his preſence with them, as their Souls deſire. We can have no ground of rejoycing in God, but through Jeſus Chriſt, out of whom he is a conſuming Fire to Sinners. Therefore they that make no account of Chriſt, that ſee not their need of him, their miſery without him, that rejoice in ſparks of their own kindling, not regarding the Son of Righteouſneſs, have no ſound Joy.
(9.) That is Spiritual Joy, when we are moſt taken with Spiritual Mercies. That is Joy in the …oly Ghoſt, when we rejoice more in any experience of the gracious workings of God's Spirit in us, than in all outward earthly enjoyments. Or when we rejoice in outward Mercies upon a Spiritual account. When we ſee them Bleſſings indeed, and ſanctified to us. When they ſteal not away our Heart from, but draw them nearer to God. When they are a means of increaſing our Love to God, of ſtrengthening and encouraging our truſt and dependance on him, of engaging us to ſerve him with greater chearfulneſs and alacrity. Spiritual Joy, where it comes, exceeds, and (as we may ſay) ſwalloweth up carnal worldly Joy. The Joy of the Holy Ghoſt is far more pleaſing than the Joy of Harveſt.
(10.) That is a kind of Spiritual Joy, when we heartily, unfeinedly rejoyce in the good of others. Spiritual Joy is promoted eſpecially by the Spiritual good of others. The good found in others. As when Barnabas ſaw the Grace of God among the Diſciples at Antioch he was glad, Act. 11.23. And when Paul and Barnabas had declared the Converſion of the Gentiles, they cauſed great Joy unto all the Brethren, Act. 15.3. So Titus was comforted in the Believing Corinthians, and Paul rejoiced much on their account, 2 Cor. 7.7. So David rejoyced to ſee the Peoples forwardneſs, 1 Chron. 29.17. And now have I ſeen with Joy thy People which are preſent here, to offer willingly unto thee. Pſal. 122.1. I was glad when they ſaid unto me, Let us go into the Houſe of the Lord.
Again, when the Good vouchſafed to others is matter of Joy to us. Eſpecially the Good of God's Choſen. This may be ſpiritual Joy. To rejoice, and be glad with Jeruſalem, when ſhe is rejoicing; to be comforted with her conſolations, (as Iſa. 66.10, 11.) when it is not from a ſelfiſh, but a publick ſpirit, this is good.
But they that rejoyce in iniquity, or rejoyce at others Calamities; they who rejoice over God's People in the day of their deſtruction, or of their diſtreſs, their Joy is ſo far from being right Spiritual Joy, that it is deviliſh.
(11.) Spiritual Joy is ſuch, as cannot be kept and maintained, but in a way of holy walking, and working Righteouſneſs. As it is Joy to the Juſt to do Judgment, Pro. 21.15. So the Lord meeteth him that rejoiceth, and worketh Righteouſneſs, Iſa. 64.5. Theſe things have I ſpoken unto you (ſays our Saviour) that my Joy might remain in you, and that your Joy might be full, Joh. 15.11. Now what things were thoſe? ſee v. 7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you— And v. 10. If ye keep my Commandments, ye ſhall abide in my Love. Thus we can have no more evidence of the ſoundneſs of our Joy, than we have of the ſincerity of our Obedience. Pſal. 64.10. The Righteous ſhall be glad in the Lord. Pſal. 97.11. Light is ſown for the Righteous, and gladneſs for the upright in heart.
Bonum vinum ex hydria purificationis hauritur, as Bernard ſpeaks, alluding to that, Joh. 2.6. &c. Spiritual Joy is drawn out of a pure Conſcience. A Conſcience that is peaceable, but not pure, is a meer cheat. Never expect to have Spiritual Joy in a courſe of Sin. Such a courſe as grieves the holy Spirit of God, will never bring a Man to true Peace and Joy.
(12.) Spiritual Joy quickens, and enlargeth the heart in God's Service. Joy dilateth, and enlargeth the heart: *Laetitia q. laetitia.So does Spiritual Joy. It enlargeth the heart in Duty. It is a great furtherance in God's ſervice, Rom. 14.17, 18. Spiritual Joy is as Oil to the Wheels. It makes Souls like the Charoits of Aminadib. How are Souls carried out for God when Spiritual Joy fills their Sails. This raiſeth the Soul. Trouble of Spirit is dejecting, [Why art thou caſt down, O my Soul!] And dejected ſpirits drive on but heavily in Duty. But Spiritual Joy elevates the Soul. To ſerve the Lord with gladneſs, is to be raiſed in his Service. Spiritual Joy will make Souls more vigorous. This would ſtrengthen weak hands, and confirm feeble knees. The Joy of the Lord is our ſtrength, Neh. 8.10. When Daniel hears the voice of Joy and Gladneſs, Dan. 10.19. O Man greatly beloved, fear not; peace be unto thee, be ſtrong, yea, be ſtrong: he could ſay, When he had ſpoken unto me, I was ſtrengthened: and then he ſaid, let my Lord ſpeak: for thoſe haſt ſtrengthened me. But there is no true comfort, or pleaſure to be taken in ſuch Joy, as does not further fit us for our work, and duty. Such Joy is but a flaſh.
(13.) As was noted before of ſound Hope, Spiritual Joy is a ſpecial incentive to praiſe, and thankfulneſs. As it comes in uſually in a way of Prayer; So it is wont to carry out the Soul in Praiſes. As we find theſe joyned, Pſal. 9.2. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will ſing praiſe to thy Name, O thou moſt High. And Pſal. 68.3, 4. Let the Righteous be glad, let them rejoice before God, yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. (Then it follows) Sing unto God, ſing Praiſes to his Name. Nothing puts the Soul in better tune for praiſing God, than Joy in him. When a Soul is thus raiſed, and lifted up by him, it will be for extolling and lifting him up. Pſal. 30.1. I will extoll thee, O Lord, for thou haſt lifted me up. And v. 11, 12. Thou haſt turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou haſt put off my Sackcloth, and girded me with gladneſs: To the end that my Glory may ſing praiſe to thee, and not be ſilent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. So Col. 1.11, 12. Giving thanks unto the Father, there followeth joyfulneſs.
Now hath your Joy this effect? are you much in God's praiſe?
(14.) Spiritual Joy can keep alive, and keep the Heart alive in the midſt of outward troubles. Hab. 3.18. Loquor quod expertus novit, inexpertus ignorat, (to borrow the expreſſion of Bernard) I ſpeak what the experienced Chriſtian knows, though the unexperienced neither apprehends, nor beleives it. Spiritual Joy will hold up a Mans Head in ſuch afflictions, under which others Hearts, that know nothing of it, would quite ſink, and be overwhelmed. Yea, in ſufferings for Chriſt, and Righteouſneſs ſake, this Joy is ſo far from being damped, that it is ordinarily more heightened; not checked this way, but increaſed. 2 Cor. 1.5. As the Sufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conſolation alſo aboundeth by Chriſt. Though Men may ſtrip the Faithful of their outward enjoyments; yet this inward Joy no Man can take away, Joh. 16.22. The Believing Hebrews took joyfully the ſpoiling of their goods, Heb. 10.34. Manifold Trials here could not daſh the Joy of thoſe, who by Faith foreſaw their future glorious Triumph. 1 Pet. 1.6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a ſeaſon (if need be) ye are in heavineſs through manifold temptations. In this ſenſe alſo the Joy of the Lord is our ſtrength, helping to bear the Croſs, not only patiently, but chearfully. As the Apoſtles departed from the preſence of the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for the Name of Chriſt, Act. 5.42. Spiritual Joy is an Heavenly Spark, that floods of Trouble and Perſecution cannot quench. And while Heaven ſmiles on a Saint, he cannot but rejoice, though the World frowneth.
This Note may diſcover the Joy of many to be unſound. That Joy which openeth at the ſmiles of the World, and ſhuts at its frowns, is not a flower of the Sun. That Joy which is born down with any Affliction that comes, is not like the Joy of the Spirit, which is called ſtrong Conſolation, Heb. 6.18.
(15.) Spiritual Joy is not ſwelling: But is accompanied with an humble frame of Spirit. Heart-humbling Grace is a neceſſary preparative unto, and a neceſſary preſervative of Heart-raiſing, and elevating Joys. Iſa. 29.19. The meek (or humble) ſhall encreaſe their Joy in the Lord, and the poor among Men ſhall rejoyce in the holy One of Iſrael. Such as are lifted up in themſelves, are not ſo fit for Comfort, as for a Caſting down. And one way or other, they ſhall have a Caſting down. If not in Mercy, and by Grace; then by force, and in fury. When a Child of God is growing proud of his Comforts, and Enlargements, he is in the ready way to loſe them. As I may ſay, Humility is the Save-all, and Prolonger; and Pride the Extinguiſher. If you can keep your Joy and Pride together, it is more than a Child of God can do.
(16.) Spiritual Joy is not intoxicating, but a ſober, ſerious thing, joyned with an holy Fear, Care, and Watchfulneſs. Pſal. 2.11. Rejoyce with trembling. When Daniel heard from God, that he was a Man greatly beloved, yet he ſtood trembling, Dan. 10.11. That is not right rejoycing in the Lord, which excludes Reverence towards him. And when he ſpeaks Peace, yet he expects better carriage of his People, than that they ſhould grow ſecure, and careleſs. He expects that they ſhould have a care, not to return again to Folly, Pſal. 85.8. Where he ſays, Be of good chear, thy Sins are forgiven thee: He withal ſays, Sin no more, ſtand in in awe, and ſin not. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are ſealed unto the day of Redemption. And by ſinning preſumptuouſly the Lord would be provoked to hide his Face again, to write bitter things againſt us. Thus new ſtorms of Trouble would be raiſed.
(17.) Spiritual Joy would not put one upon a contemptuous carriage towards others: But rather make him full of Charity, and pity towards thoſe that want, and are ſtrangers to what he enjoys. Though a ſtranger doth not intermeddle with his Joy, (Prov. 14.10.) yet he cannot but deſire, that others were partakers of the like. Pſal. 51.12, 13. Reſtore unto me the joy of thy Salvation: — Then will I teach Tranſgreſſors thy Wayes. I ſhall encourage Sinners to come in, by thy merciful dealing with me, who have been ſo great a Sinner. As Chriſt chargeth Peter, when he was converted and reſtored, to ſtrengthen his Brethren, Luke 22.32. And the Apoſtle Paul lays this down, as one end the Father of Mercies hath in comforting us, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any Trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our ſelves are comforted of God, 2 Cor. 1.4. And if we have not a tender pity towards poor troubled Spirits, and ſuch as have broken Bones; if we have no Wine and Oyl to pour into wounded Conſciences; if we are not at all concerned for others under Spiritual Troubles, we may juſtly fear our Joy is not right.
(18.) Spiritual Joy will ſet Souls more on longing after the Joys of Heaven. That Joy which comes from Heaven, will be raiſing the Heart up towards Heaven. Souls that have taſted that the Lord is Gracious, will thirſt after more, and long for the fulneſs of Joy in his Preſence, will breath after the full Enjoyment of God in Glory. 2 Cor. 5.5, 8. God hath given unto us the earneſt of the Spirit. Therefore, — We are willing rather to be abſent from the Body, and to be preſent with the Lord. If we have found any conſolation in Chriſt, beholding him through the Lattices, how ſhall we deſire to ſee the King in his Beauty, and to ſee him Face to Face? Spiritual Joy will make Souls more ſpiritually-minded, will very much take off the affections from things on the Earth, and ſet them upon things Above.