(2.) In the second place observe, that it belongs only to Christians to rejoice. Others have neither cause of jo}^ nor commandment to rejoice. The ministers and prophets are bidden to bid such howl and lament, to shew them their miserable estate.* And indeed what ground can a con- demned person have of joy ? For the wicked, till they have remission of sins, they are in a damned estate ; and though they will snatch this to themselves and say that they are sure to be saved, yet is salvation not their portion. They joy indeed, but it is in sin ; in seeing or doing evil to others. Or if sometimes they joy in the gospel (for a wicked man may do so), it is but a forced joy, and much like hot waters to a cold fit of an ague. It brings heat and expulses cold for the present, but it burns them after. So this joy seems to comfort them now, but when trial comes it fails him, and makes him more disconsolate to see himself thus beguiled. Fitter it were for such to be first humbled and brought to the sight of their estate, than to administer comfort to them. To speak peace where none belongs is to undo men. It is the broken that must be healed, and the weary that must come to Christ.
» Cf. Jer. XXV. 3-4.— G.
niiLirpiANS CMAP. Ill, \i:ii. 1. 59
(3.) Llim'tation. In the third place, observe the Ihnitation of this joy : it must be ' in the Lord ;' that is, in Christ, who in the New Testament is often called Lord. And he is our Lord : first, by gift ; God hath given us all to Christ. Secondly, by co)iqfiest ; he hath gotten victory of Satan. And thirdlj', hy marricuje ; and therefore we may well call him Lord, and rejoice in him, because he is our Lord ; for by him we come to conquer all our enemies ; by him we have peace, Rom. v. 1. He makes us kings and priests, and brings us to heaven.
Now, for the practice of this duty of rejoicing in the Lord, that we may be encouraged, let us consider how it is a means not only of adherence to God, but also of obedience to his laws.
[1.] Adherence to God. Joy, if it be found,* knits us firm to God, so as we rest contented in him as our only and sulMcient joy, seeking for no other joy in any other thing. To us Christ is made ' all in all' that we should solace ourselves in his fulness, which if we truly do, we will count all other things as despised, assuring ourselves they cannot minister or add any jot of sound comfort at all ; and therefore will not endure any thought of mix- ture of other things with Christ, thereby to make him more sufficient and complete for our joys to rest on.
[2. J Obedience to his Jaws: for joy stirs up cheerfulnsss to every duty, and makes all duties acceptable to God and man. For the want hereof many are dead and dull in good duties ; and where a large portion of this joy is, it will remove all lets and delays to duty. It doth not only enable us to, but in, duty. Cain no doubt came cheerfully to a good duty, to sacrifice ; but for want of this cheerful and joyful spirit, what was his beha- viour in the performance thereof? ' His countenance was cast down,' Gen. iv. 6. This God espies suddenly, and so he doth in all our dull perform- ances. For he looks things should be done cheerfully, and reason too, for he hath left us a treasure of excellent promises to encourage us. We see it in men. They love when a thing is done cheerfully ; they know it betokens love in the party that doth it : and can we then think it strange that God requires it ? Again, if we can fashion ourselves to this duty, God hath promised to increase our joy more abundantly. And he per- formed it to Hezekiah, 2 Chron. xxix. 36. He will give delight as a reward to him that delighteth in his work. And therefore we ought to labour to bring ourselves to this duty ; to the obtaining of which observe these directions.
Means to get joy. First, Consider that joy comes from faith. For it is the sense of our reconciliation with Christ that makes us rejoice, Rom. v. 2, and 1 Pet. i. 6. Now, therefore, whatsoever strengthens faith, strengthens also our joy ; and contrarily what weakens the one, must of necessity weaken the other.
Furthermore, joy comes from jwace. Whatsoever, thei'efore, disturbs our peace, must needs disturb our joy. Therefore Satan, to despoil us of our joy, he spoils our faith through our sins ; and by them he weakens our hope and our comfort. What is to be done then '? Surely repair to the fountain of health, the well of joy, the word of God, Isa. xii. 3. And from thence must we draw all our comfort. Use, therefore, the ordinances of God, but use them in the Lord, in obedience to his commandment, and expect the issue with patience. Many there are that use the means, but take no joy at all in them. Why ? They do it not as in obedience to God's command, but they rest in the deed done, and they think God is * Qu. ' sound ' ? — Ed.