Sermons Volume 4, Sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1
The First SERMON On I. Thessalonians v.16.
Rejoyce evermore.
THE words are brief and short, and therefore they may be easily carried away: They are independant on the Context, and therefore will need no long deduction: They press you not to a painful but pleasant Duty, therefore you should be readily induced to practice it. But yet when we look more intrinsecally into the Nature of it, it is not so easie as we first imagined; every one cannot receive this saying, it is hard to keep the Heart in such an exact frame, as to rejoyce evermore, pray without ceasing, and in every thing to give thanks; as Christ saith in another case, He that is able to receive it, let him receive it, Matth. 19.12. But what if we prove it to be a Duty incumbent on all Christians, and that at all times? The Text seemeth to enforce it, rejoyce evermore.
In which words take notice of two things.
1. The Duty to which we are exhorted, rejoyce.
2. The constancy and perpetuity of it, in the word, evermore. Delight and Pleasure are greedily sought after; in Christianity it is not only part of our Wages, but much of our very Work.
Doctrine, That Gods Children should make conscience of rejoycing in God at all times, and under all conditions.
Here is a Precept for it, not only a liberty given, but a Command. If you look upon the Words as a License or Liberty given, you may conceive of them according to the Apostles Speech of Marriage, 1 Cor. 7.39. She is at liberty to be married to whom she will, foreign, but only in the Lord. But it is not only a liberty given, but a command, for he addeth, verse 18. This is the will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you. The will of God is the Supream Reason of all Duties, and the Will of God in Christ Iesus falleth upon the Conscience with a double force, the Law of the Mediator binding us to delight in God, as well as the Primitive Duty which we owe to God as the Creator. And that this Clause respects all the Three Duties, is evident to any considering Mind. In the opening of this Duty I shall shew you,
1. What Rejoycing the Apostle intendeth.
2. How this must be constant and perpetual.
3. The many Reasons which do inforce this Duty upon us.
I. What Rejoycing the Apostle speaketh of. There is a double Rejoycing, A Carnal Rejoycing, and a Spiritual Rejoycing.
1. The Carnal Rejoycing is in the World, and the good things of this World apart from God: Luke 12.19. Soul! thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
2. The Spiritual rejoycing is in God, Phil. 3.1. Finally, my Brethren! rejoyce in the Lord, Phil. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoyce. These two sorts of rejoycing must be carefully distinguished; for they differ in their Causes to the one we are prompted by carnal Nature, which taketh up with present things, and the other is excited in us by the Spirit of God, therefore often called joy in the Holy Ghost. The one is called the joy of Sense, the other the joy of Faith; the joy of Faith is in God, the joy of Sense in the Creature; the joy of Faith is most in future things, the joy of Sense in present things; the joy of Faith is in the good of the Soul, the joy of Sense in the good of the Body, or the provisions of the Flesh; the joy of Faith is built on the Covenant and the Promises of God, Psalm 119.111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever, they are the rejoycing of my heart: The joy of Sense on the Blessings that flow in the Channel of Common and General Providence. Now the first sort of rejoycing the Apostle would not press us unto, Nature there needeth a Bridle rather than a Spur; but to the latter, in delight in God, and in all things that come from God, and lead to him.
This delighting our selves in God must be the thing, which must be further explained.
1. God himself, as God, is a lovely Nature, and the Object of our Delight; for he is good, even before, and without the apprehension of his doing good, Psalm 119.68. Thou art good, and doest good. And of him, and to him, and through him, are all things, Rom. 11.36. Gods Essential Goodness is not, I confess, the first inviting Motive to draw our Hearts to him; but his beneficial Goodness: Yet the infinite perfection of his Nature is also an Object of our Love and Delight. For the Creature was made for him, and our good and benefit is not the last end. As the Angels admire and adore God, not only for his benefits, but also for his Holiness, and Soveraign Majesty and Dominion, Isa. 6.3. Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. So should we, who are to laud God, and serve God on Earth as he is served in Heaven, Matth. 6.10. Admire him, and delight in him for his Holyness, and the infinite perfection of his Nature. Surely we are not only to bless him, but praise him, Psalm 145.2. Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. And verse 10. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord! and thy saints shall bless thee. These two words have their distinct reference, Blessing to his Benefits, and Praise to his Excellencies; and when we praise God for his Glorious Being, we should do it in a delightful manner, Psalm 135.3. Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good, sing praises unto his name, for it is pleasant. It is pleasant and delightful to think of, or speak of, or shew forth the Excellencies of his Heavenly Majesty. Again, his Holiness is an amiable thing, and therefore the Object of our Delectation. If we must delight in the Saints, because of their Holiness, though they have never done us good, Psalm 16.3. But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight; If we are to account them the excellent ones of the Earth, because of the Image and Beauty of God that is upon them; then surely we are much more to love God, not only because of his Benefits, but because of his Holiness. Yea, if we are to love the Law of God, and to delight in it, as it is pure, Psalm 119.140. Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it. Then surely we are to love God also because of the immaculate purity of his Nature, and to delight in him: At least this is one, though not the only, nor the first reason of our love to him, and delight in him.
2. We are to delight and rejoyce in God, as he hath discovered himself to us in Christ. That was the foundation of his beneficial goodness, and the greatest discovery of the amiable Nature of God, that ever was made to the Creature. Iohn 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. Rom. 5.8. B… God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dyed fo… us. That we might not conceive God to be all Wrath, and inexorable, unless upon hard terms; therefore Christ came as the express Image of his Person, full of Grace and Truth. Well then, God reconciled in Christ is the Life and Spirit of all our joy and gladness. In Christ we see him accessable, near to us, and within the reach of our Commerce, as dwelling in our Nature: In Christ we see him gracious and propitious to us, ready to do us good; Luke 1.46, 47. My soul doth magnifie the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour. We have a great, and a good God in Christ; he is God, and our Saviour.
3. We rejoyce in God, as we re…oyce in the fruits of our Redemption, or in all those Spiritual Blessings, which are offered or given to us by Christ; such as Reconciliation, or Gods admitting of us into the priviledges of his Holy Covenant, Rom. 5.11. We joy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Clear that once, and the cause of all our sadness and drooping discouragements is taken out of the way. The bottom cause of our bondage and fears is the quarrel God hath against us by reason of Sin, we can never be soundly merry and comfortable, till that be taken up; for as long as we apprehend him an Enemy, and an Avenger, how can we rejoyce in him? So Psalm 32.11. Be glad in the Lord and rejoyce, ye righteous! and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart! The Psalmist speaketh of the pardon of Sins, it is Davids Maschil, an instruction from his own experience, he begins the Psalm, Blessed is he whose iniquity is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man, unto whom the Lord imputeth not sin. Then he concludeth, rejoyce ye upright. A Man that is condemned for some Criminal Offence, and ready to be executed, oh what joy hath he when he hath received his pardon! So we should rejoyce in God, who are as it were brought back again from the Gibbet, and have received our Atonement. So also in the gift of the Holy Spirit, to sanctifie and heal our Natures; if the Angels, who are but the Spectators and Lookers on, rejoyce in the Conversion of a Sinner should not the Parties interessed, Luke 15.10. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. So in the hopes of Glory, Luke 10.20. Rejoyce, because your names are written in Heaven. Rom. 5.2. We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God.
4. We rejoyce in God, when we delight to do his Will, and are fitted for his Use and Service. To be set, and kept in the way to Heaven is a greater Comfort to us than if we had all the World bestowed upon us, Psalm 119.14. I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. David had experience of both as a puissant King, and as Gods Servant. So 2 Cor. 1.12. For our rejoycing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world. In Carnal Rejoycing Men seek to conceal and hide the grounds of their Joy, as being ashamed of them; the Worldling in his Bags, the Voluptuous in the Instruments of his Pleasure; the Glutton will not point to his Dishes, nor the Drunkard to his Pots, and say, This is my Rejoycing; but a Christian dareth own his Joy, this is my rejoycing, that God hath taught me his wayes, and inabled me to walk in them.
5. We also rejoyce in God, when we rejoyce in the Blessings of his Providence, as they come from God, and lead to God. Ioel 2.23. Be glad then, ye children of Zion! and rejoyce in the Lord your God; for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first monethmonth. So Gods care in protecting us, Psalm 5.11. But let all those that put their trust in thee, rejoyce, let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy Name, be joyful in thee. These common Favours and Benefits manifest Gods respect to us, and should be as a step to the Lords People, to lead them up to rejoyce in God. This was Gods quarrel with his People, Deut. 28.47, 48. Because thou servest not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies, which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger and thirst, and nakedness, and in want of all things; and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he hath destroyed thee. Whatever we have, we should look upon it as a token of Gods Love to us, and so rejoyce in them, not as satisfied with these worldly things, but as they direct us to God. Carnal Men rejoyce in the Creature, but in a carnal, and sensual manner; their joy neither ariseth from God, nor endeth in God; they neither look to God as their Author, nor make him their end; and it is a naughty Heart, that can rejoyce in any thing without God, and apart from God.
II. How this must be constant and perpetual, Rejoyce evermore.
1. In all Estates and Conditions, this joy must not be infringed, Gods Children have, or may have cause of rejoycing in God, whatever their outward Condition be, and therefore they should make Conscience of it, whether their Affairs be adverse, or prosperous.
1. A State of Worldly Sorrow and Affliction is reconcilable, and agreeable enough, or consistent with our rejoycing in the Lord. The Scriptures abound in the proof of this, 2 Cor. 6.10. As sorrowful, yet alwaies rejoycing: 1 Pet. 1.6. Wherein ye greatly rejoyce, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 2 Cor. 7.4. I am filled with comfort, and am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations. So David, Psalm 94.19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul. Paul and Silas sung in the Dungeon at Midnight, Acts 16.25. At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sa…g praises unto God. Tribulation disturbeth not the Harmony of a wellcomposed mind; the reason is, because there is more matter of delight in God, than can be taken from him in the Creature, Iohn 16.22. Your heart shall rejoyce, and your joy no man taketh from you. Whatever falleth out, Gods All-sufficiency, and Heavens Happiness are everlasting grounds of rejoycing. (1.) Gods All-sufficiency, Hab. 3.18. Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Your Right and Interest in God is not made void by the blasting of the Creature. So (2.) Hopes of Glory remain unshaken. Matth 5.12. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Though the World be bent against us with all manner of spight and hatred, yet there is more cause of Joy than Sorrow. There cannot be more evil in our Sufferings, than there is good in God, and happiness in Heaven.
2. A State of Sorrow and Affliction is not only consistent with this Holy rejoycing, but doth much promote it. Partly as Afflictions conduce to refine, and purge the Soul from the Dregs of Sense, and make it capable of the Comforts of the Spirit; Iude 19. Sensual, having not the spirit. Till our taste be clarified from the foeculency and dreggs of Sense, we cannot rellish Spiritual Comforts, nor know their worth and value. Whilest we flow in Worldly Comforts, the Carnal gust and taste is too strong upon us, and so we have mean thoughts of Gods Consolations. They do best rellish with the afflicted, as Cordials are for the fainting, not for those whose Stomacks are full of phlegm and filth. Partly as they occasion greater Experiences of God, 2 Cor. 12.10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christs sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong. So Rom. 5.3, 4, 5. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us. Partly as they are sanctified, and increase Grace; and an increase of Grace will bring with it an increase of Comfort. Heb. 12.11. Now no chastning for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; Nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness, unto them which are exercised thereby. Now from all these Considerations though Afflictions may a little damp it, yet they do not extinguish it.
2. We must rejoyce evermore, because it is not a Duty to be done now and then, or which doth only belong to some eminent Christians, that are assured of Gods Love; but from our first acquaintance with Christ, till the last period of our Lives, it is of use to us, and some act of Joy our first entrance into Christianity.
1. Some act of joy our first entrance into Christianity is begun with,
1. Before our Interest is well settled and cleared. There are general grounds of rejoycing, which oblige all; as that there is a good God, and poor drooping Spirits should apply themselves to him who hath Comforts for his Mourners, Isa. 57.15. For thus saith the high and lofty one, that inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. That there is a merciful and able Saviour, a Gospel, or New Covenant, that bringeth glad tydings to Sinners, Luke 2.10, 11. Fear not, for behold, I bring you glad tydings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. The World being faln under Gods Wrath, and deserved Condemnation, it is matter of joy, that God hath found a Ransom, and that he offereth Pardon and Life to those who will seek it, and accept it upon his Blessed Termes. It is matter of joy before we have interest in these things. A possible conditional Reconciliation with God, that dreadful Controversie taken up, Heaven and Earth kissing each other, that Life and Immortality is brought to Light, and such a Blessedness discovered as satiateth the Mind of Man, without which Man would have been but as Leviathan in a little Pool. In short, the Gospel shewing a sure way of Reconciliation with God, and the Everlasting Fruition of him in Glory, the very offers of it stir up a joy in us. And wherever the Gospel cometh, it hath at his first coming upon these accounts been entertained with joy. As when Philip preached the Gospel in Samaria, Acts 8.8. There was great joy in that city; not only joy, but great joy. So it is said of the Goaler, that new Convert, Acts 16.34. That he rejoyced, believing in God with all his house; he was but even recovered out of the Suburbs of Hell, ready to kill himself just before, verse 27. so that a Man would think he should easier fetch Water out of a Flint, or a spark of Fire out of the bottom of the Sea, than to find joy so soon in such an heart, yet he rejoyced, though he was still in danger of his Life, for treating those as Guests, whom he should have kept as Prisoners. So 2 Cor. 8.2. We read of the abundance of their joy, and deep poverty, because they were acquainted with the Gospel. So Zacheus received Christ joyfully, because Salvation was come to his House, Luke 19.6. He made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And the Man that found the true Treasure, for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, Matth. 13.44. He parted with all. His Satisfactions, Comforts, and Contentments. This is so sure a Truth, that where-ever the Gospel, or Christ is received in any degree, and proportion, though not to a converting degree, there is some joy. In Converts I have showed you, and you may cast in that Text by way of over-plus, Acts 2.41. Then they that gladly received the word were baptized, and the same day there were added to the church about three thousand souls: It is a degree not amounting to Conversion. Luke 8.13. The stony ground received the word with joy. Herod had some kind of joy in hearing Iohn the Baptist, Mark 6.20. He did many things, and heard him gladly. And his other Hearers rejoyced in his light for a season, Iohn 5.35. These had a joy, but not in such a predominant degree, as to be able to controul their Affections to other things, and so this joy could not maintain it self, or keep it self alive. Therefore it is said, That we are his house, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end, Heb. 3.6. The first offers of Pardon and Life by Christ do stir up this joy in us, as the Gospel sheweth us a way how to come out of the greatest Miseries, and get an interest in the greatest Happiness. The possible hope of Relief and Deliverance cannot but affect us, if we be serious.
2. As to our Progress in the Duties and hopes of the Gospel, it is still carried on with joy. Therefore Believers are described by it as their vital act, Phil. 3.3. We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoyce in Christ Iesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. What is the constant work of a Christian, but a rejoycing in Christ Jesus, or a than…ful sense of our Redeemers Mercy? And therefore the whole Life of a Christian is represented by keeping a Feast, 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast. Seven dayes the Iews kept their feast of unleavened Bread, which figureth the whole time of our pilgrimage, till we enter into the Everlasting Sabbath. Every day is a Holy-day, and a Feast-day with a Christian, now Christ his Passeover is sacrificed for him; partly through a sense of Gods Love; partly through the Testimony of a good Conscience; and partly through the hopes of Glory. He is alwaies rejoycing in God, if he be in a right frame, and liveth up to his Gospel-Priviledges. Let me chiefly instance in two Duties, of Prayer, and Praise, or Thanksgiving, which take up a great part of our Commerce with God: And especially because they are connected with the Duty we are upon, for we must rejoyce evermore, praying without ceasing, and in every thing give thanks. The Duties that follow serve to act and cherish this joy.
(1.) Rejoyce evermore, so as to pray without ceasing. They that delight in God will be often with him, and can come chearfully, and unbosom themselves to him, as a Man would to his Friend: They are not drag'd into his presence, as into the presence of a Judge, but they come freely to him as Children to their Father. They that love God as their portion and happiness, will much converse with him; they are out of their Element, but when they are praying to God, or speaking of God, or thinking of God, therefore they are still with him But this is denyed of the Hypocrite, Iob 27.10. Will he delight himself in the almighty? Will he alwayes call upon God? They may sometimes cry to him, not because they love him and his service, but because they love their own ease, and to be free from trouble; their streights may force a little Service from them. Well then, without delight we cannot keep a continual course of Communion with God in Prayer.
(2.) For Praise or giving of Thanks, in every thing give thanks, that is, both the fruit of our delight in God, and a means to quicken it: One that delights in God, will have cause enough to give thanks, whether the Creature come or goe, what-ever is taken from him, his joy is not taken from him. He can bless God for his Mercies in Christ, when retrenched and cut short in the World; though he hath lost some Comforts, yet others are yet remaining. Shall one Cross imbitter all our Comforts? As one string broken puts the whole Instrument out of Tune. They can bless God for taking as well as giving, Iob, 1.21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the …ord. If the Lord gave all, why may he not take away a part? A thankful heart can praise God for God himself, for choicer Mercies yet continued, for some outward Mercies remaining. If God gave all, and take but a part, have we any cause to complain?
3. Still I prove this joy must be continued throughout the whole course of the Spiritual Life, because the beginning, progress, and ending is carryed on by it; the joy of God is our support in our declining time, the staff of our Age, for then Christians grow more dead to the World and worldly things, and are less moved by them, whether they keep or loose, have, or want them; and then they are nearer to Eternity, and have more of that rejoycing in hope spoken of, Rom. 2.12. This joy is a beginning of the joyes in Heaven; here we have a Sip, there a full Draught. Our Delight in God now is of the same Nature with that which the Saints and Angels have in Heaven. There is indeed a vast difference in the degrees, here a little joy entreth into us, but there we enter into our masters joy, Math. 25.23. But though they differ in degree, yet the Object and Affection is the same: It is the same God, and the same Glory which delighteth us; only now they are seen by Faith, then they shall be Objects of direct sight and fruition, we shall see him face to face. In short, rejoycing in God is a beginning of the Imployment we shall then have in Heaven. Therefore when we expect in a few days to be swallowed up of this Joy, shall we be no more affected with it now? We that shall so shortly be so full of joy, shall we be empty now? Shall not we rejoyce, who have now a Title to Heaven, and shall in a little time be in the full and perpetual possession of it.
III. The many Reasons, which shew we should have a greater inclination to this Blessed Work, than usually we have, and be oftner in it.
1. Because God hath done so much to raise it in us. All the Persons of the God-head concur and contribute their Influence, in that way of operation which is proper to each, to give us grounds of joy.
1. The Father giveth himself to us, and his favour as our felicity and portion. Gods Love is the bosom and bottom cause of all our Happiness, which sets all other causes at work; and when we have the sure effects of it, can any thing so bitter befal us, that will not be sweetned by the Love of God? Or so evil, that this shall not be ground of Comfort to us: Psalm. 4.6, 7. There are many that say, who will shew us any good? Lord! lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart,, more than in the time, that their corn and their wine increased. Carnal Men must have something good to sense; but Godly Men take their full delight in God. This doth them good to the Heart, it is not like a little Dew that wets the Surface, but like a soaking Showre that goeth to the Root. And [more,] enough to draw us off from the World, enough to swallow up all our infelicities, yea, to encounter the Thoughts of Death, Hell, and Judgment to come.
2. The Son is also matter of rejoycing to us, as our Redeemer, and Saviour. You are to consider what the Lord Jesus hath done to deliver you from Sin, and the bitter Curse of the Law, and the Fears of Death, and the Flames of Hell. The Eternal Son of God came to heal our wounds, Isa. 53.5. By his stripes we are healed. To make our peace with the Father by the Blood of his Cross, Col. 1.20. To vanquish our Spiritual Enemies, and triumph over them, Col. 2.14, 15. to be the ransom of our Souls, 1 Tim. 2.6. The Captain of our Salvation▪ Heb. 2.10. the Head of his Church, Eph. 1.22. The Treasury and Store…ou…e of all our Comforts, Iohn 1.16. and in short, he hath recovered us to God, and hath given us an Interest in the Comforts of his Gospel, and the Promises thereof, which are in him Yea, and in him Amen; and is not this matter of joy and rich comfort? The whole Covenant breed strong consolation in the hearts of Gods People, Heb. 6.18. And David saith, Psalm 119.111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoycing of my heart: It doth our hearts good, when we take these things for our Happiness. Abraham rejoyced in the fore-thought or fore-sight of Christs day, Iohn 8.56. Your Father Abraham rejoyced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad. And should not we rejoyce, that live under the clearest dispensation of it? The benefits of our Redemption by Christ should be so esteemed, that no Affliction should be grievous. The Kingdom of Christ is every where represented as a Kingdom of Joy and Comfort. Rom. 14.17. The kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. And if we be real Members of it, we should see more cause of rejoycing in Christ Jesus.
3. The Holy Ghost concurreth in his way of Operation, as a Sanctifier, Guide, and Comforter. As a Sanctifier he layeth the foundation for Comfort, for it is the spirit of Delusion that comforts us in our sins, that by imaginary Comforts he may keep you from those that are real, solid, and everlasting: But the true Spirit is a Sanctifier, and therefore a Comforter; he first poureth in the Oyl of Grace, and then the Oil of gladness: Comfort and Joy follow Holiness, as Heat doth the Fire. And then as a Guide, either in his restraining Notions, as he mortifieth Sin, or in his inviting motions, as he exciteth and quickneth to Holiness: These are helps to our Comfort; cannot a Man live merrily without Sin? And do you think a Life of Holiness irreconcileable with a life of rejoycing, no such matter, it is the ready way to joy, especially to joy Spiritual.
But chiefly as a Comforter, he is purposely given us, to keep in this Holy Fire, and maintain a constant delight in God in our Souls. And therefore it is called Joy in the Holy Ghost, where God himself taketh upon him the Office of a Comforter, surely there will be comfort. Life will quicken, light will illuminate, and the comforting Spirit will comfort in that season and degree God seeth fit, and we are capable to receive. Now he comforteth partly as sealing, partly as giving earnest, 2 Cor. 1.22. Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the spirit in our hearts. As sealing us, by stamping the impress and image of God upon us, which is the mark of his Children, the sure Evidence of his Love, and the Pledge of our Happiness. And as giving us the earnest of a Blessed Estate to come; that Life is begun, which there shall be perfected. Now consider all this, when God himself will be our Portion, our Saviour, our Comforter, should not all this cause us to rejoyce in God, what-ever our Condition be in the World?
2. All the Graces tend to this: Faith, Hope, and Love.
1. Faith, That is a dependance upon God for something future that lyeth out of sight. Now these invisible and future Objects are so great and glorious, that they support and comfort the heart, how afflicted soever our present Condition be, 1 Pet. 1.8. In whom believing, ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory, Rom. 15.13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. In both these places Faith implyeth a firm belief of, and dependance upon Christ as an All-sufficient Saviour, by whom alone God will give us Eternal Life. This Faith will breed a perpetual rejoycing in the Soul, if it be firm, strong, and operative.
2. Hope breedeth this Joy also, Rom. 12.12. Rejoycing in hope, and Rom. 5.2. We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God. Though we be pressed with Miseries for the present, yet there is a better Estate to come, the excellency and certainty of which causeth us to rejoyce, and giveth us a foretast of it. Joy is chiefly for Injoyment, but there is a partial Injoyment by hope, which is not only a desirous expectation, but delightful for tast, or praeoccupation of the thing hoped for.
3. Love to God also causeth us to rejoyce in him: For it sheweth it self in a complacency, and well-pleasedness of Mind in God as our chief good. Psalm 16.5, 6. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup, thou maintainest my lot: The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places. Certainly they do not love God, that do not value and esteem him as better than all worldly things. Other things without him cannot give any solid contentment to the Soul, but he without other things is enough; he is all in all to the heart that loveth him. Therefore if we be rooted and grounded in love to God, he will be the delight of our Souls, and our exceeding Joy, whatever we loose in the World. Thus you see, Faith, Hope, and Love have a great influence upon this joy.
3. All the Ordinances and Duties of Religion were appointed to breed, and feed, and act, and increase this joy in us. Reading, Hearing, Praying, Meditating, the Lords Supper; all these Duties were appointed to quicken the Soul to delight in God; and they must all be used to this end. Reading, wherefore were the Scriptures written, but to beget in us a comfortable sense of the Love of God in Christ, 1 Iohn 1.4. These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. The word doth beget, and keep up our delight in God by those discoveries which it maketh of his goodness to us, in Doctrines, Counsels, and Promises; that every time we look into Gods blessed Book, we might have a fresh delight acted, and stirred in us. So for hearing, its main end is to increase our joy, therefore was the Ministry appointed. Not for that we have dominion over your faith but as helpers of your joy, 2 Cor. 1.24. That is the main end of our Ministry, because the Gospel-Dispensation is a Dispensation of Grace. We must press repentance, but it is to cure you of your vain rejoycings in order to more solid comfort; to put you out of your Fools Paradise, that you may prize and esteem your Saviour, and set more by him, than by all the Pleasures, Honours, and Riches of the World. Holy Mourning is in order to Comfort, the vain Delight and carnal rejoycing is checked and deadned, that we may raise in you the true Joy. We are helpers of your joy in Gods way, and truely that is the only way; we need not over-Gospel the Gospel, as Honey needs not to be sweetned with other things. So Prayer, we put promises in suit, that we may have new experiences of the Love and Bounty of God. Iohn 16.24. Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. In Prayer you come to solace your selves with God, and to unbosome your selves to him as your best Friend. Meditation on Gods Excellencies and Benefits, it is still to maintain this delight in God. Psalm 104.34. My meditation of him shall be sweet, I will delight in the Lord. The Lords Supper was appointed for the Elevation of our joy to the height; it is our Spiritual Feast and Resection, that we may go on our way with joy, as the Eunuch when baptized, he went on his way rejoycing, Acts 8.39. Here the whole Gospel is applyed and sealed to us, and Bread and Wine doth not so much chear the Body, as the Body and Blood of Christ doth the Soul. You come not only to remember your priviledges by Christ, but it is your solemn investiture, here you take possession of Christ, and all his benefits.