[2.] The Son is also matter of rejoicing 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. liii. 5, ' By his stripes we are healed ; ' to make our peace with the Father by the blood of his cross, Col. i. 20 ; to vanquish our spiritual enemies, and triumph over them, Col. ii. 14, 15 ; to be the ransom of our souls, 1 Tim. ii. 6 ; the captain of our salvation, Heb. ii. 10 ; the head of his church, Eph. i. 22 ; the treasury and storehouse of all our comforts, John i. 16 ; and, in short, he hath recovered us to God, and hath given us an interest in the comforts of
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liis gospel and the promises thereof, which are in him Yea. and in him Amea ; and is not this matter of joy and rich comfort ? The whole covenant breeds 'strong consolation' in the hearts of God's people, Heb. vi. 18 ; and David saith, Ps. cxix. 111, * Thy testunonies have I taken as an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.' It doth our hearts good when we take these things for our happiness. Abraham rejoiced in the forethought or foresight of Christ's day : John viii. 56, ' Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad.' And should not we rejoice, that Uve 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 everywhere represented as a kingdom of joy and comfort: Eom. siv. 17, ' The kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy G-host.' And if we be real members of it, we should see more cause of rejoicing in Christ Jesus.
[3.] The Holy Ghost concuiTeth in his way of operation, as a sanc- tifier, 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 oil 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 motions, as he mortifieth sin, or in his inviting motions, as he exciteth and quickeneth to holiness ; these are helps to our comfort. Cannot a man live merrily without sin ? And do you think a life of holiness irreconcilable with a Kfe of rejoicing ? 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 taketli upon him the office of a comforter surely there will be comfort. Lite wUl quicken, light will illuminate, and the com- forting Spirit will comfort in that season and degi'ee God seeth fit and we are capable to receive. Now he comf orteth partly as sealing, partly as giving earnest : 2 Cor. i. 22, ' Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Sphit 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 happi- ness ; 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, om* saviour, our comforter, should not all this cause us to rejoice in God, whatever our condition be in the world ?
2. AU the graces tend to this — faith, hope, and love.
[1.] Faith, that is a dependence upon God for something future that heth 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 Peter i. 8, ' In whom believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of gIor\';' Eom. XV. 13, 'Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believ-
478 SERMONS UPON I THESSALONIANS V. 16.
ing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Grhost.' In both these places faith implieth a firm belief of and dependence upon Christ as an all-sufficient Saviour, by whom alone God will give us eternal life. This faith will breed a perpetual rejoicing in the soul, if it be firm, strong, and operative.
[2.] Hope breedeth this joy also : Eom. xii. 12, ' Eejoicing in hope ; ' and Kom. v. 2, ' We rejoice 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 rejoice, and giveth us a foretaste of it. Joy is chiefly for enjoyment, but there is a partial enjoyment by hope, which is not only a desirous expecta- tion, but delightful foretaste or preoccupation of the thing hoped for.