II. That when known,, it is a ground of most exalted
j°y—
The expulsion of devils from the bodies of men was a just ground of joy —
[It was an evidence of God's presence with the Disciples ; (for who but God could cast them out ?) it was also a strong confirmation of their word ; (no stronger could be given :) it was, moreover, an unspeakable blessing to those who were thus delivered from Satan's power ; (and who must not rejoice in the communication of so great a good ?) above all, it was a pledge of greater victories over Satan, and the utter destruc- tion of his kingdom. Our Lord's prohibition, therefore, must not be understood as absolute, but only as comparative ; as when he bade his followers " not to labour for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life."]
But the knowledge of our interest in the Divine
favour is incomparably a greater ground of joy —
[Indeed nothing can for a moment be put in competition with this : this is infinitely beyond every other ground of joy.
It is the most sublime. What is the possession of thrones and kingdoms in comparison of this ? All earthly things are lighter than vanity itself when weighed against the glories of the heavenly world".
It is the most pure. Every earthly joy has a tendency to corrupt the mind ; to fill us with pride ; to foster every evil disposition ; to rivet us to the world ; and to retard our pro- gress toward the kingdom of heaven. But who was ever corrupted by a view of his interest in the Saviour ? We do not ask, When did a corrupt man pretend to an interest in Christ, or boast that he was of the number of God's elect ? for that, alas ! may be found in every place and every age ; but we confidently ask, Whom did the knowledge of his interest in Christ ever corrupt in any respect whatever ? Ignorant peo- ple imagine that a view of our election of God will puff us up with pride ; or render us indifferent to the attainment of holiness : but every child of God is the more humbled by a conviction that God is pacified towards him0, and is the more determinately bent to fulfil the whole will of God. Of this we are assured on the authority of an inspired Apostle, on whose testimony we may rely with most implicit confidence p —
It is the most substantial. Whatever other sources of joy we may have, they may all fail and disappoint us. Ask those who have attained the principal objects of their desire, whether
n See the description of the Christian's state, Heb. xii. 22 — 24. 0 Ezek. xvi. 63. p 1 John hi. 3.