Obj. But it will be objected, that the Christian is fuller of sorrow than joy. To which I answer,
Ans. It arises either from ignorance of the grounds of comfort, or from want of application of them. When a man is a young Christian, newly begun, he knows not nor understands what grounds he hath of joy. They are as children, that know not their inheritance at the first, nor their father's love ; especially if he correct them, they think he loves them not. Even those that are grown Christians fail too often in this, either by misapplying the grounds, and misjudging of their estate ; or sometimes through the distemper of their body, through melancholy. These judge of grace by the measure, when they should judge by the truth of it, be it never so little. For it is not the measure that is the evidence of the child of God, but truth of gi'ace. For there are degrees of grace : in some more, in some less, and in one more in one time than in another. Take, therefore, a Christian in his right estate, one that is a grown Christian, whom neither melancholy nor temptation doth trouble ; take him, I say, as he should be, he doth rejoice more soundly, with true joy and hearty, than any one can, being an ungodly man, be he never so merry. How-ever, this we may be sure of, a Christian hath the greatest cause to rejoice, and, as I said before, he ought to stir it up in him by all means. And therefore, however indisposed he be thereto, he ought to search what good things God hath wrought in him. If he doth not know his estate, he cannot praise God as he should. He must meditate also of the vanity of all worldly things. They vanish, and they that put their trust in them ever failed of any true jo}'. It never comes to the heart of a man. They arc not deep enough to comfort men that meet with afflictions. They only touch the fancy, as the fanc}" of a beast may be delighted.
Let him also compare all discomforts that can come, with this joy in the Lord, and he shall find that it countervails a world of sorrow. This has no end ; they are momentary, they last but for a night. This is in the Lord, in whom is fulness of joy. This made the saints of God so resolute, that they set light by all afflictions whatsoever ; and therefore, in their greatest afflictions they have the sweetest joy and greatest comforts. And
62 EXPOSITION OF
let him also consider, that hy this he avoids the reproach of religion, and shews the force and efficacy thereof to be such as is formerly declared.
And let him take heal of the hindrances of this joj/. As first of all, of sin committed and not repented. Let him repent betimes, else it keeps a man dead, and dull, and backward. So long as this Achan is nnfound, it will keep him in discomfort, 1 Chron. ii. 7. Let him take heed of secret pur- poses, either to sin or to favour himself in any one sin, how small soever, for time to come. This will rob him utterly of comfort, for joy cannot lodge in such a heart. * If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me,' saith David, Ps. Ixvi. 18.
Furthermore, Let him take heed of )ieffliffcnce in r/ood duties. For it is not enough to do them, but he ought to stir up the graces of God in him to do them thoroughly ; and he must strive against his corruptions. For Chris- tians have never so much joy, as when they have laboured with their endeavours to overcome their imperfections in good actions.
Lastly, Let him take heed of casting himself into dull or dead acquaintance. It is true we cannot avoid conversing with them, but we must have no secret and inward acquaintance but with the best. A companion of fools shall be beaten, and the wise with the wise will learn wisdom. We are all travellers to heaven ; let us therefore choose such company as may, as it were, be a chariot to carry us thither, with their good example and discourses. And with the prophet David, think it a great grief when we have not such society as may do us good. ' Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell in the tents of Meshech,' Ps. cxx. 5. And therefore, if heretofore any of us have been faulty, let us take warning of this hereafter.
^T5ESE 1.
To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, hut for you
it is safe.
Although the apostle had formerly bidden them to rejoice, in the former chapter, ISth and 28th verses, yet notwithstanding he bids them 'rejoice' again, saying that it is safe for them to hear the same things often, and it is not grievous to him to write the same things twice. Besides, he doth also bid them to beware of such as may hinder their joy, as dogs and those of the concision, preventing* thereby secret objections which they might make against repeating the same things. Whence we may in general observe,
Doct. 1. The uisdom of the word and Spirit of God, to Jcnovj secret ohjec- tions that might be made, and to prcrent them; turning away thereby what- soever might hinder the force of the word.