Body of Divinity, Book 7 · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII. III. Ioy and Sorrow.
THe next pair of affections are Joy and Sorrow. The Philosophers make these two the ground of all our vertues and endeavours.
Of Joy.
Four things are to be considered in Joy:
1. The nature of the affection.
2. What the Image of God was in this in our primitive condition.
3. The corruption of it in our Apostate condition.
4. What the Spirit of God doth to the repairing of this in our conversion.
1. What the nature of Joy is,
Joy is acquiescentia cordis in bono sibi congruenti, the acquiescence of the will in theIt is an opening and dilatation of the heart upon the appearance of some present good, whence it hath the name of Laetitià, as it were a broad and spreading passion. Laetitia à mentis latitudin…. presence of a sutable good.
It is either
1. Bodily, then the content the soul takes in it is called voluptas pleasure.
2. Spiritual, then the content the soul takes in it is called gaudium joy.
These things are required to make up this affection.
1. It must be a sutable good which gives satisfaction.
2. Proper, one must have an interest in and a title to it.
3. Present, the desire accomplished is the joy of the soul.
Secondly, Mans joy in his primitive condition.
Then it was our happinesse, because in that pure estate man was not only freed from all evils which might molest him, but was compast about with all good sutable to him. He enjoyed God himself and all things which might conduce to his happinesse.
2. The holinesse of this Joy.
The Image of God in this affection stood in the sutablenesse and proportionablenesse which was betwixt all the good which man enjoyed and this affection. The rectitude of any faculty is when the faculty and the object meet: God is the only absolute, adequate and supream good, therefore the greatest joy of the soul of man was placed in the enjoying of God, he found a sutable joy in all other good things, yet so that he did above them all prize God, and by them all did rise up more and more to the service of God.
3. Mans joy in his fallen condition.
The Object of it
1. Privatively, is not in God.
2. Positively.
It is much placed,
1. In the deeds of darknesse, Rom. 1. 32. They take pleasure in unrighteousnesse.
2. In all things wherein bruit beasts and man do agree.
3. In meer fictions, Chymaeraes, fancies and imaginations.
4. The comforts that the rest of the creatures may give the soul, it is irregular in all.
The properties of sinful joy:
1. It is unlimited, we place all our happinesse in these things, Psal. 49. 18. The rich glutton, Soul, take thy ease.
2. Vain, an immortall soul cannot finde reall satisfaction in an imaginary object.
3. Various, the soul rests not in any one of these comforts, but slits from one thing to another.
Thirdly, The woful effects of these depraved joyes.
1. They wholly keep the soul from seeking or accepting the only good which may give rest to it, all Ordinances, the motions of the Spirit, the thoughts of God and goodnesse are in vain proposed to the soul, Eccles. 11. 9. Like the Ivy that seems to adorn the tree, but eats away all the sap of it.
2. They leave a sting and venome of sorrow after, Prov. 14. 43. Iob 20. 5. the end of that joy is sorrow.
Fourthly, What is the work of Grace in sanctifying this affection?
Although Gods people actually enjoy not the benefits of this affection, as of some others, because of the weaknesse of Grace, yet a great part of our happinesse lies in this. The Spirit of God turns it from the corrupt to the right object, and helps the affection to act in the measure and order upon that object as it deserves. He turns the stream from rejoycing in those sensual and imaginary things, 1 Cor. 1. 13. it rejoyceth not in iniquity, 2. Is turned to God in Christ, hath interest and communion with Christ. We are the circumcision who rejoyce in Christ Iesus. I will go to God (saith David) who is my exceeding joy. See Psal. 104. lat. end. He is the full object of a regenerate soul. God in Christ is not here to be enjoyed immediately, but in and by the Ordinances, the more of God is in them, the more joy doth the soul take. There are divers Commandments to rejoyce in God, Psal. 68. 3. & 105. 3, 4. Phil. 4. 2. it is for the honour of God that his servants rejoyce. It wasTo joy in God is to joy, 1. That there is a God who could hang the earth on nothing, ballance the clouds, make such a glorious world but he? 2. That he is such a God, a living God, one that raigns and rules immutably, Psal. 18. 46. 3. To joy in the wayes of his communicating himself to us, his Word and Ordinances, Jer. 15. 16. Ps. 40. 6. Rom. 7. 14. to delight in his Sabbaths in his Commandments and counsels, Psal. 110. 3. to rejoyce in those graces wherby we are made conformable to him, when we rejoyce not only in the profession of his name, but in persecution for his truth, Act. 5. 41. Heb. 10. 34. rejoice in communion with him, in hope of his appearance. not lawful to be sad before the Persian Kings, they thought it to be a disparagement to their graciousnesse and honour. See Col. 1. 10, 11. Phil. 3. 3. Gal. 5. 22. Rom. 14. 17. We are as much bound to make God our joy as sinne our grief. We cannot love God with all our strength, unlesse we rejoyce in him. It is not only a duty but a priviledge to joy in God: What is your happinesse in Heaven but joy in God which is begun on earth?
2. It is a priviledge peculiar to justified persons, Rom. 5. 5. Adam after he fell, saith, He heard the voice of God and was afraid. See Psal. 106. 4, 5.
3. It is the highest priviledge that Saints can enjoy on this side heaven, God is the chiefest object for this joy to be placed upon, and joy in God is the chiefest of all joyes, Psal 4. 6.
Secondly, The Spirit of God makes the soul close with the object in that measure and proportion that the object deserves, therefore joy in God and Christ are the most transcendent; it is called Ioy unspeakable and glorious; Rejoyce exceedingly you righteous, Ephes. 5. 18.
This is often called The joy of the holy Ghost, Rom. 14. that is, not only joy which is sutable to the Spirit of God, but that joy which the holy Spirit works in us.
There are seven things which every childe of God hath received from God, that give him occasion to rejoyce abundantly though he be in tribulation.
1. All their sins are pardoned and freely done away in the bloud of Christ, Isa. 40. begin. Christ said to the man sick of the palsie, Son, be of good chear thy sins are forgiven thee.
2. They are covered with the perfect robes of Christs righteousnesse before the Lord, Isa. 61. 7, 8. they may rejoyce in their inherent righteousnesse, their sorrow for sinne, love to the Lord and his people, much more in the imputed righteousnesse of Christ, Revel. 17. the guests were to rejoyce at the Brides marriage, much more the Bride.
3. Because they are reconciled to the Lord, and all their services accepted notwithstanding their mixture of corruption.
4. All evil is removed from them; Sorrow is the apprehension of the heart, because of some evil object, Psal. 9. No evil shall come nigh his dwelling that is under the protection of the Almighty.
5. The Lord hath undertaken in his Covenant to supply them with all good, and to provide him whatsoever shall be needfull for him, whilst he lives in this world.
6. When this life is ended there is provided for them a glorious condition in heaven, the Angels will carry thee thither, and Christ receive thee, Mat. 5. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
7. All these things are kept for them by Christ, thou art therefore more happy then Adam in Paradise, or the Angels before they fell, they had the image of Gods grace, yet in their own power to lose, and they did lose it,
The Properties of this joy:
1. It is spiritual, its working is in the inward and most spiritual faculty of the soul, the intellectuall nature, of the same nature that the joy of God and Christ is.
2. It is given for the time of afflictions and trial especially, Rejoyce in tribulation, 2 Cor. 7. exceedingly rejoyce in all our troubles.
3. It is built on such things as will never fail, on pardon, free favour, unchangeable promises.
4. Everlasting, Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.
Motives to sanctified joy:
1. The Lord cals for the exercise of this affection as frequently and earnestly as any; we are not more frequently exhorted to fear God, to love him, to desire and seek after him, then to rejoyce in him.
2. God is offended if his people rejoyce not in his service, Deut. 28. 47.
3. Joy breeds thankfulnesse, the Psalmist often joyns these two together, joyfulnesse and singing of Psalms.
4. It breeds spiritual strength, The joy of the Lord is your strength, Neb. 8. 10.
5. This is a great honour to the profession of Religion, and glory to Christianity, it will satisfie others that there is some secret excellency in that way.
6. The example of other men who rejoyce in vanity, and wilt not thou rejoyce in Christ?
Marks and Evidences of spiritual and sanctified Joy:
First, By the Antecedents of it.
1. It is promised to the mourners in Sion, Isa. 61. 1. Matth. 5. 4. till sinne be our sorrow we shall never have this joy, Iohn 16. 9. The first work of the comforter is to convince the soul of sin, and so of sorrow.
2. To believing in Christ, one is not capable of Gospel-joy till he believe in Christ, Rom. 15. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Phil. 1. 25.
Secondly, By the object of it, it is Christ and the things he brings with him, the sutablenesse betwixt these and our souls is the joy. In what proportion any creature brings Christ with it, in that proportion we rejoyce, as David, Ieremiah, Iob; in the word, because there is abundance of Christ in preaching, the Sabbath is Christs visiting-day, therefore their delight; prayer because there is an intercourse betwixt God and the soul, Communion of Saints.
Thirdly, By the Companions of it, the rest of the fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5 22, 23. they come by clusters, love, meeknesse, patience, temperance. 2. It is jealou… and fearful lest it should be mistaken, the two Disciples believed not for joy.
Fourthly, By the fruits of it.
1. Hereby we are fortified against sinning.
2. It will make one readily part with any thing for Christs sake, Endured with joy the spoiling of their goods, Heb. 11. Psal. 51. 12. Ignatius said, Bring the Lions, I shall make brave bread when I am ground.
Means to get our joy sanctified and to keep it.
It is gotten in the new-birth, all affections are sanctified at once.
How we may come to make God in Christ our supream joy.
1. Thou must labour to know God and Jesus Christ, Mat. 13. 44. when he found the treasure and saw the worth of it, he rejoyced, know how good, merciful and gracious the Lord is.
2. Faith will produce joy, strengthen faith and strengthen joy, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. Rom. 13. 15. and hope likewise, Rom. 12. Rejoycing in hope.
3. Beg it much at Gods hand, pray him that thou maist rejoyce, Iohn 16. 31. say, Lord in mercy fill my soul with the light of thy countenance.
4. Meditate of the things thou hast heard and learned concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, ponder on the good things given thee of God in Christ, ponder how excellent it is to be a pardoned man, to be accepted of Gods Son, to have the promises of the Gospel belonging to thee.
5. Labour to preserve uprightnesse of Spirit in thee, no man can rejoyce in God that doth not walk with him, true righteousnesse may be without joy, but true joy cannot be without righteousnesse.
6. Frequently renew godly sorrow, carnal mirth ends in sorrow, godly sorrow ends in joy, this will keep thee low in thine own eyes.
7. For maintaining of your joy, be careful of your bodies, next to sin nothing is more to be shunned then to be under the power of melancholy.
How our joy may be sanctified in respect of the outward mercies and good things of this life.
God allows his children to take joy and comfort in all the things of this life, in wine, musick, Live joyfully with the wife of thy youth.
This Joy is sanctified:
1. When we take joy in every creature, so as we finde God in it, see his love to us.
2. As any creature bears Gods Image. David loved Salomon because he was a Iedidiah.
3. Be as if not in all the joy that thou takest in them, 1 Cor. 7. be moderate.
4. Let not thy heart draw thee from God.
5. All the joy thou takest in the creatures must be in due season as well as in due degree, not in time of mourning, Rejoycing alwayes in the Lord.
See Mr Wheatleys Oyl of Gladnesse.