A. 4. Spiritual joys are more pure, they are not tempered with any bitter ingredi- ents ; a sinner's joy is mixed with dregs, it is imbittered with fear and guilt ; the wolf feeds in the breasts of his joy, he drinks wormwood wine, but spiritual joy is not muddied with guilt, but like a crystal stream, runs pure ; it is all spirits and quin- tessence,— it is joy and nothing but joy, — it is a ix)se without prickles, — it is honey without the wax.
A. 5. These are satisfying and filling joys, John xvi. 24 , " Ask that your joy may be full." AVorldly joys can no more fill the heart, than a drop can fill a cistern ; they may ple;ise tlie palate or fancy, (Plato calls
them ' pictures of joy') not satisfy the soul, Eccl. i. 8 , "• Tlie eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing;" but the joys of God satisfy, Ps. xciv. 19., " Thy comf(»rts delight my soul." There is as much difference between spiritual joys and earthly, as between a banquet that is eaten, and one that is painted on the Avail.
A 6. These are stronger joys than world- ly, Heb. vi. 18., " Strong consolation." Tliey are strong indeed, that can bear up a Christian's heart in trials and afflicti<ms, 1 Thcss. i. 6., " Having received the word in much affliction, with joy." These are roses that grow in winter, these joys can sweeten the waters of Marah, he that hath these can gather gra])es of tlionis, and fetch honey out of the carcass of a lion, 2 Cor. vi. 10., " As sorrowing, yet always rejoic- ing." At the end of the rod a Christian tastes honey.
A. 7. These are unwearied joys : other joys, when in excess, oft cause a loathing, — we are apt to surfeit on them, — too much honey nauseates, — one mjiy be tired with pleasure as well as labour, — Xerxes off^ercd a reward to him that could find out a new pleasure : but the joys of God, though they satisfy, yet they never surfeit ; a drop of joy is sweet, but the more of this wine the better; such as drink of the joys of heaven are never cloyed ; the satiety is without loathing, because they still desire the joy wherewith they are satiated.
A. 8. These are more abiding joys. Worldly joys are soon gone ; such as ci'ovvn themselves with rose-buds, and bathe in the perfumed waters of pleasure, yet these joys which seem to be sweet are swift, like me- teors, they give a bright and sudden flash, and then disappear; but the joys which be- lievers have are abiding ; they are a blos- som of eternity, a pledge and earnest of those rivers of pleasure which run at God's right hand for evermore.
Quest. 5. Why is this joy (o he laboured for?
Ans. 1. Because this joy is self-existent, — it can subsist in the want of all other carnal joy. This joy dejteuds not upon outward things. As the philosophers once said, when the musicians came to them, " philosophers can be merry without music ;"
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lie that Iiatb this joy can be cliecrful in tlio tlio hidden manna. 4. Be often upon your deficiency of carnal joys ; he can rejoice in knees, pray with life and fervency. The God, in sure hope of glory, " thoujrh the same Spirit that fills the heart with sighs, fig-tree doth not flourish," Hah. iii. 17. fills it with joys. The same Spirit that in- Spiritual joy can go without silver crutch- dites the ])rayer seals it. When Ilannali OS to support it. Spiritual joy is Inghcr had prayed, her countenance was no more built than upon creatures, it is built on the sad, 1 Sam. i. 18. Praying Christians love of CJod; on the promises; on the blood , have mucli intercourse with (iod, and none of Christ. I are so like to have the secrets of his love
A. 2. Because spiritual joy carries the I imparted, as those who hold corrcspond-
Roul through duty cheerfully; the sabbath is a delight, religion is a recreation. Fear and sorrow hinder us in the discharge of duty ; but a Christian serves God with ac- tivity, when he serves him with joy. The oil of joy makes the wheels of obedience move faster. How fervently did they pray whom God made joyful in the house of prayer ? Isa. Ivi. 7.
A. 3. It is called the kingdom of God, Rom. xiv. 27., because it is a taste of that which the saints have in the kingdom of God. What is the heaven of the angels but the smiles of God's face, — the sensi])le perception and feeling of those joys, which are iulinitely ravishing and full of glory? And to eucoiu'age and quicken us in seek- ing after tliem, consider, that Christ died to purchase this joy for his saints : he was a man of sorrows, that wc may be full of joy, he prays that the saints may have this divine joy, John xvii. 13., " And now I come to thee, that thev may have m\ ioy fulfilled in themselves." And this ])vayer he now prays over in heaven ; he knows we never love him so as when we feel his love : which may encourage us to seek after this joy ; we \>Yiiy for that which Christ himself is praying for, that his joy may be fulfilled in us.
Quest. 6. JV/iat shall we do to obtain this spiritual joy ?