(2.) There is a holy rejoicing which may be considered — (1.) As to the lively acts ; (2.) Or solid effects.
(1st.) As to the lively acts, in solemn duties, as the word, and medi- tation, and Lord's supper, it doth your hearts good to think of Christ : Cant. i. 4, ' We will be glad and rejoice in thee ; we will remember thy love more than wine ; ' Ps. xxii. 26, ' The meek shall eat, and be satisfied ; they shall praise the Lord that seek him : your lieart shall live for ever ; ' Heb. xi. 13, ' All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them ; ' that is, when they thought of it ; the time of the gospel was a sweet time to them, and so it is to all other believers. A man cannot think of his pelf or any petty interest in the world without comfort ; and can a believer think of the promises and not be affected with them ? In solemn meditation and other duties is faith and joy acted.
(2d) As to its solid effects,
(1st.) It is such a joy as doth enlarge our hearts in duty, and strengthen us in the way of God : Neh. viii. 10, ' For the joy of the Lord is your strength ; ' Ps. cxix. 14, ' I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches.' The hardest services are pleasant to one that delighteth in Christ. This joy is the very life of obedience : a christian cannot be without it.
SERBION UPON JOHN VIII. 2C. 177
{2d.) It sweeleneth our calamities and crosses. (1.) Common afllic- tions. It can never be so sad with us in the world but we have cause of rejoicing in Christ: Hab. iii. 17, 18, ' Though the fig-tree do not blossom, &c., yet I will rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my salvation ; ' for we have better tilings in him than any natural comfort which can be taken from us. This should not diminish the solid satis- faction of our souls. (2.) The afflictions of the gospel : Luke vi. 23, ' Rejoice ye in that day. and leap for joy : for your reward is great in heaven ; for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets ; ' Heb. x. 34, 'And took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that in heaven ye have a better and enduring substance.' They are fit occasions to show how much we value Christ above all our own interests, how near and dear soever they be to us.
(3d.) It draweth us off from the vain delights of the flesh. Every man must have some oblectatiou ; for love and delight cannot lie idle in the soul ; either it is taken up with the joys of sense or with the joys of faith. And it is good for every man to observe what it is that puts gladness into his heart, where his solid contentment and pleasure is. A brutish heart fetcheth all its solaces from the world, but a gracious heart from Christ ; the one loves pleasures more than God, but to the other Christ and his benefits are matter of joy and comfort; this is that they are cheered with, as they get more of Christ into their hearts : Ps. iv. 7, ' Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased ; ' as David calleth God his 'exceeding joy,' Ps. xliii. 4. They need not the carnal mirth, without which others cannot live : Ps. iv. 6, ' Who will show us any good ? '
Use. Well, then, you see faith is not only a sight, but a taste, or a feeding on the promises with delight : Ps. cxix. Ill, ' Thy testimonies I have taken for an heritage for ever ; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.' And such a delight as draweth off our hearts from other things, as the man that hath found the true treasure. Mat. xiii. 44, ' For joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.'
I observe a double joy in Abraham —
1. In desiring, ' He rejoiced to see my day.' The spiritual desires of God's people after Christ are full of joy. There is a joy that accom- panieth seeking before we attain what we seek after : Ps. cv. 3, ' Let the hearts of them rejoice that seek the Lord.' Before complacential joy there is a seeking joy. Better be a seeker than a wanderer, and delight in Christ keepeth up this seeking.
2. There is a joy after faith hath given some satisfaction. First, ■^yaWLaaaro, 'he rejoiced ; ' and then, ex^P/^, ' he was glad.' A man sick of a mortal disease, when he heareth of a famous physician, he desires to see him ; it is some contentment to a sick man to see him ; but when his cure is wrought, he much more rejoiceth. So when we feel the benefit in our own souls, it causes joy: Eom. v. 11, 'And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.'