2. When God hides his face, there will be a decay as to spiritual strength, as to the flourishing and vigour of grace. I have spoken so much and so often to you upon this head, in this place, in our in quiry wherefore the Lord doth harden the hearts of his people from his fear, and in conference among ourselves, that I shall say no more
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to it, to manifest that we have this evidence of God's hiding his face, that there is a decay of spiritual strength as to the flourishing of grace among us. And truly, brethren, I am verily persuaded that if God do not give us an understanding of it by his word, he will give us an understanding of it by his sword, by his judgments, that will follow us till we are consumed.
3. When God hides his face, there will be a decay of spiritual joys. Spiritual joys are the immediate effect of the shining of God's coun tenance, the most proper pledge of it unto our hearts. And how is it with us, brethren ? Pray remember my design, which is to speak familiarly unto you, and so bear with my manner of speaking at this time. How is it with us, brethren, as to this matter of spiri tual joy? It is a thing that was purchased by the blood of Christ. It is more worth than all this world, and it is that without which we shall never greatly honour God, in this world or when we go out of it.
I cannot tell how to judge any of your hearts, nor what stock you have of this spiritual joy, but I will give you two or three outward signs, and one or two inward trials, whereby we may know whether there be not a decay among us in spiritual joy; and (which is the worst part of the story) we are content that so it should be.
(1.) This is certain, that carnal joys and spiritual joys are incon sistent; that where carnal joy is predominant, let men pretend what they will, and speak with the tongue of men and angels, there is no spiritual joy. By carnal joy I understand the prevalent satisfaction of the minds of men in present enjoyments, whether in relations, or in outward state and condition, or in the succeeding of their affairs. Where there is a predominant satisfaction in these things, there is no spiritual joy. " Many say, Who will show us any good ? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put glad ness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased/' These things are absolutely opposed. The glad ness of heart arising from the shining of God's countenance is ab solutely opposed unto that good which men find in the increase of their corn, and wine, and oil. A predominancy of carnal joy in present satisfaction as to things here below is inconsistent with spi ritual joy.
(2.) Earthly cares prevailing are inconsistent with heavenly joys. God hath brought many of us into that state and condition that it may be we will say we are free upon that account: 'We have nothing here to rejoice in; we are poor; we are low, disconsolate, afflicted.' Well, then, but have we not, on the other side, earthly cares and desires prevalent in us? We are not rich, but we would be rich; we are not healthy, but we would be healthy and strong; we have
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not provision for our lusts, but we would have it. Where there is this frame of spirit there is no spiritual joy.
I will give you these two inward trials whether you have spiritual joy or no: —
[1.] The first is, a frequency in surprisals with spiritual exulta tion. The spouse saith that her soul was surprised: " Ere I was aware, my heart made me as the chariots of Ammi-nadib/' Cant, vi. 12. Have not we found oftentimes that we have had surprisals, upon the approaches of God, upon the visits of Christ, with spiritual exultation, rejoicing in spirit, wherein the heart hath been lifted above itself, out of itself, hath been nigh unto God, and found that sweetness which no reasoning could ever bring it unto ? A frequency in these spiritual exultations is that bubbling from the fountain of joy which will fix our hearts, in the night season, by the way-side, and upon other occasions. Oftentimes the heart is drawn up with these spiritual exultations. How is it with you, brethren? Are these things frequent with you? or can you scarcely recall the time when God hath given you such rejoicing of spirit? When the mother of Jesus came to visit the mother of John the Baptist, the babe sprang in her womb. When Christ comes to give the soul a visit, the heart will spring and rise up with joy. If these things are not frequent with us, if our hearts are not often surprised with these exultations, there is not a spring of spiritual joy in them.
[2.] What doth first present itself to you upon spiritual self- examination and inquiry as to your state and condition? I do not doubt that there is none of you but do often retreat to serious ex amination of your own state and condition. What doth first present itself to you? If you are compassed with darkness, that you are fain to work through by acts of faith, and to labour to come to light as to your own state and condition, you are strangers to spiritual joy. Your condition may be good as to believing, but I speak as to spiritual joy. Where the heart is stored with that, the first reflec tion it makes from self-examination will be full of light, and will present a beauty and a glory. Though there be faith, if there be not spiritual joy, the first consideration will be dark and confused, and our souls will be put hard to it to work out any evidence of their state and condition.