2. Others think that by my joy is meant a joy like mine ; when they feel the same desires kindled in their hearts, they may be comforted with the workings of the same spirit of prayer in them ; that is, feel such a joy as I feel in uttering these requests. But this doth not run so smoothly.
3. ' My joy,' because he is the author of it. Gaudium ex one. Joy which I work as mediator and redeemer. Of ourselves we have nothing but despair and trouble : Isa. Ivii. ID, * I create the fruit of the lips ; peace, peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, and I will heal him.' We possess it, but it is Christ's joy; he worketh it, and causeth it by his Spirit ; elsewhere it is called, 'joy in the Holy Ghost,' 1 Thes. i. G.
4. ' My joy,' because he is the object of it. Gaudium de me. That
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 353
that joy which they have conceived from my presence with them, or care of tliem, may not be lessened, but increased, that this spiritual joy may be fulfilled. These two latter are of chief regard.
' May be fulfilled ; ' not only accomplished, but be abundant ; as chap. XV. 11, ' That your joy may be full.' The filling up of joy is a phrase proper to St John: chap. iii. 29, ' This my joy therefore is fulfilled,' saitli John the Baptist, because he heard the bridegroom's voice. So 1 John i. 4, ' These things we write unto you, that your joy may be full.' And 2 Epist. ver. 12, ' I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.' Possibly this joy is called a full joy, not with respect to itself, but with respect to other joys. In itself it is always a-growing, and receiveth a daily increase, till it be per- fected in heaven. Here we have but some forerunning beams of the noon of glory, the first-fruits of the harvest. The joy of the world is a lank empty joy.
' In themselves ;' that is, in their hearts, by their own feeling and experience ; they have need of something within, for they have nothing without : John xvi. 33, ' In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but be of good comfort, I have overcome the world.'
To draw all to some doctrinal head and issue. Of Christ's coming to God I have spoken already. I might observe the force of the word to comfort the heart, ' These things I speak, that my joy may be ful- filled.' But I shall content myself with two observations.
1. Observe, that this prayer of Christ's is a fountain of consolation. This joy ariseth from the things he now spoke in the world, partly because here we have a taste of Christ's heart, how zealously he is affected for our good. When he took his leave of us, he took his leave of us with blessings and supplications. Partly because here we have a copy, model, or counterpart of his intercession. Here you may know what he is now doing for you in heaven. Christ is their advocate and intercessor, he pleadeth their right, and suetli for blessings ; he prayed for their preservation, unity, and glory. There are two ways to know Christ's intercession — by this record, and his intercession in our hearts : Rom. viii. 26, ' The Spirit itself maketh intercession in us, Avith groan- ings that cannot be uttered.' The Spirit testifieth to our hearts the quality of that intercession Christ maketh for us in heaven ; it is the echo of it ; the inward interpellation of the soul is the echo of Christ's intercession. Now that the word and Spirit must go together, the form of it is left upon record. Here is a public record to look upon in all discomforts and troubles of the church ; and this breedeth a full joy. Partly because Christ's prayers are so many promises ; he prayeth for excellent blessings, and is sure of audience. Well, then, remember these prayers of Christ for your comfort ; when we are pressed down with any evils in the world, let us run to Christ's prayers. As Luther said, Let us sing the 46th psalm ; so say I, Let us meditate on John xvii. ; here is a remedy for all the affiictions of the church.
2. Observe Christ's care to leave his people joyful; and careful he is, very solicitous about it before his departure.
First, I shall inquire what this joy is that Christ would establish. 1. For the kind of it, ' My joy ;' not a worldly joy, but heavenly ; not corporal, but spiritual. It ill beseemeth christians to set their hearts VOL. x. z
354 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. XXI.
on earthly things, or suffer the world to intercept their joy : Phil. iv. 4, ' Eejoice in the Lord always; and again 1 say, Eejoice.' The apostle was in prison when he wrote it, he had nothing else to rejoice in at that time ; but what he had felt the sweetness of himself he imparts to others. What can a man desire more than joy ? You are at liberty to rejoice, as he speaketh elsewhere of marriage : ' You are at liberty to marry, dXKa /xovov iv Kvpuo, but only in the Lord ;' such a joy you may have as Christ works, ex me, de me, of which I am the object and the author. You need not fear ; that which Christ would establish is a cheerful jnety, not a profane joy : ' Christ's delights are with the sons of men,' Prov. viii. 3L He feasteth himself with the thoughts of his grace ; it is, as it were, the Lord's recreation ; therefore certainly the sons of men should have their delights with God, If the Lord, that sitieth upon the throne of majesty and glory, if he delights in us, should not we delight in a God that is so excellent and worthy ?