(2.) Vvr the degree : The heart doth delight in Christ above all other things. As to the sensitive expression in the lively stirring of joy, we may to ai)]iearance be more affected with outward benetits, because Heshly objects do more work upon our fleshly senses, as carry- ing a greater suitableness to them, Pieligion is a grave, severe thing, not seen so much in actual transports, as in the habitual complacency and well-pleasedness of the mind: yet in solenm duties there may be as great ravishment of soul : Ps. Ixiii. 5, ' My soul shall be ravished as with marrow and fatness ; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lii)s.' When they feel the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, they are in eflect transj)orted with it, more than with all the delicates and banquets of the world, and cannot hold from praising God. But generally it must be measured by our solid complacency and judicious esteem. What we ])rize most, and w^ould least want, and would not forego for all other things ; so the saints rejoice in God and Chriist more than in any worldly matter whatsoever : Ps. Ixxiii. 25, ' Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee ;' Ps. cxix. 14, ' I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches;' Ps. iv. G, 7, 'There be many that say, Who will show 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 ;' Ps. Ixiii. 3, ' Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.' This is that wdiich they love most, and keep best, and are most loth to want. This is that which giveth a value to life itself ; and without which that which is most precious and desirable is little or nothing worth ; and giveth them more comfort than what is most comfortable in this world ; and is the most cheerful employ- ment for their thoughts to think upon. This is delight in Christ,
II. Whether this may be had without assurance ? And can those who are dark in their interest in Chii.st, and know not whether they have any grace or no, rejoice in him ? To this I answer. Yes, cer- tainly ; for there are general grounds of rejoicing, for the gospel bringeth glad tidings to sinners, as it oflereth to them a way how to escape out of their misery, and enter into the peace of God.
But more distinctly : —
1. The scripture speaketh of a twofold rejoicing in Christ — before faith and after faith. Before faith is full-grown and is but in the making, as those. Acts xiii. 48, ' When they heard this, they were glad,' &c. ; and he that had found the true treasure, for joy thereof sold all that he liad, ^lat. xiii. 44, There was joy before the thorough consent — though introductive of it, yet antecedent to it. And the reason is, because God hath showed them the way how to free them- selves from misery, and to enjoy true felicity and liajipiness. Now, if there may be a j(»y before faith, certainly before assurance. The very
Phil. III. 3.] the thue circumcision. 43
offer of a remedy is comfortable when in misery. And then there is a joy after faith, as joy and peace in believing^, when tliey take the course to get this Hberty and deliverance by Christ ; yet this is faith, not as- surance. As a sick man, when he heareth of an able physician who hath cured many of the same disease wherewith he is oppressed, he rejoiceth, and conceiveth some hope that he maybe cured also. When he hath lighted upon this physician, and beginneth to make use of his healing medicines, he is more glad, and expecteth the cure. But when he is perfectly recovered, and feeleth it, then he is glad indeed. So when a broken-hearted creature heareth the glad tidings of the gospel, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, he rejoiceth that God hath found out such a Saviour to recover the lapsed estate of mankind. But when he submitteth to Christ's healing methods, and trusts himself with his skill and fidelity, he is more comforted, and doth more intimately feel the benefit of this course in his own soul ; but as he groweth more assured of his health and salvation, his com- fort still increaseth, and his joy is more unspeakable and glorious. So that this joy may be without assurance, for the causes of it at first are knowledge and faith.
2. There is a joy that accompanieth seeking, even before we attain what Ave seek after : Ps. cv. 3, ' Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.' There is a great deal of contentment in this course, though that complacential joy whicli is our full reward be yet reserved for us. Yet there is a joy in seeking ; better be a seeker than a wanderer. This blessed Saviour am I waiting upon ! Though we have attained to little communion with him, yet it is a comfort that we are seeking farther measure. Delight and joy keepeth up our endeavours.