2. Act it continually. Partly for that the grounds of rejoicing are everlasting, an eternal God, an unchangeable covenant, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and to-day and for ever ; a kingdom that cannot be shaken, an infinite and eternal weight of glory. jS'ow these things should ever be thought of by us, that we may keep up our delight in the Lord. Partly because we need it continually to enliven our duties, to sweeten our crosses, and to wean us from our carnal vanities ; for otherwise our duties will go off heavily, our crosses will swallow us up with too much sorrow, or our hearts will be apt to be ensnared by sensual delights, unless we remember that we are continually to rejoice in God and heavenly things. Partly because this delight cannot be maintained in the soul unless it be continually exercised; by constant acting it we keep it, and increase it, till at length it cometli to be pre- dominant in the soul, and able to control our affection to other things. It is said of John tlie Baptist's hearers that ' they were willing to rejoice in his light for a season,' John v. 35 ; and of the stony ground, Luke viii. 13, ' That they received the word with joy, and believed for a while, but in time of temptation fall away.' Herod heard John the Baptist gladly for a while, Mark vi. 20. God's offering eternal happi- ness in Christ may aflect us for the present, but this rejoicing faileth, being over-mastered by the appetites and desires of the flesh. There- fore to root it and increase it, that it may be firm to the end, it must be continually acted and exercised.
3. Take heed you do not forfeit it, or damp it by any great and wounding sin. As David speaketh, Ps. li. 8, ' Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.' Sin cloudeth the face of God, wasteth our comfort and joy : Ps. xxxiL 3, 4, ' When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me ; my moisture is turned into the drought of summer ;' Eph. iv. 30, ' And
488 SERMONS UPON I THESSALONIANS V. 16.
grieve not tlie Holy Spirit, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemp- tion/ When the Comforter is offended, he showeth his dislike, and withdraweth when we grossly omit any known duty or commit any foul sin ; he will show himself displeased with it, and withdraw his gracious and comfortable presence : Isa. Ivii. 17, ' For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him ; I hid me, and was wroth.' On such occasions he is wroth and smiteth ; he is wroth, and hideth himself, and then our comfort and delight in God ceaseth. Therefore we should deal more dutifully with the Spirit, neither grieving him by the omission or intermission of necessary duties, nor by the commission of any hardening sin, by some error of the con- cupiscible or pursuing faculty, or the irascible or eschewing faculty ; by sins of the tongue, which most easily bewray corruption, for words discover the temper of the heart. I observe that ' grieving the Spirit,' Eph. iv. 30, is put in the middle between a dissuasive from corrupt communication, ver. 29, ' Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying.' When men endeavour to make themselves glad by carnal discourse, which argueth an heart set for carnal delights, and is contrary to rejoicing in the Lord : Eph. v. 4, ' Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jest- ing, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks ; ' and on the other side, ver. 31, ' Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking be put away from you.' By discontent, impetuous rage, passionate commotions, contumelious speeches, envy, revenge, we hinder our joy in the Lord. Now all this must be carefully avoided, lest we contract deadness and numbness of con- science.
4. If by sin you have wounded your conscience, and brought smart and mourning upon yourselves, abide not in that estate, but humble yourselves ; renewing your repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, suing out your pardon, and getting your wounds healed. Beg of God to restore the joy of his salvation, that your broken hearts may be revived, and your broken bones restored and set in joint again : Ps. li. 8, ' Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice ; ' and ver. 12, ' Eestore unto nie the joy of thy salvation.' Never rest till you come again to delight in God, with an hearty resolution not to break with God any more : Ps. li. 6, ' Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom ; ' Ps. Ixxxv. 8. ' I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints ; but let them not turn again to folly.' _ God is ready to receive lapsed penitents, that are sensible of their errors, and are willing to return to their duty : Ps. xxxii. 5, ' I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid ; I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin;' Isa. Ivii. 17, 18, Tor the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him ; I hid me, and was wroth ; and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him, I will lead him also, and restore comfort to him, and to his mourners.' Your case is sad and grievous, but not desperate and