The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 167

II. YET ALWAYB REJOIOING. The Man of sorrows had joy in his Father's love• though it is his affliction that is made prominent in the account of his state ol humiliation. There was also a joy set before him, and in thls he no,v sits at the right hand of God. As his followers, we too have joy now amidst sorrow, and fulness of joy set before us. Always. Not sorrowing always, but alwoys rejoicincr, It cannot mean any ecstatic emotion, for that cannot be habitual; the excessh~'e strain would break the springs of feeling. But we may be always glad and satisfied and triumphant in our Lord. Not only is this possible to the sorrowful; it seems to be fullest and strongest in them. Remember Paul and Silas singing in the dark dungeon with their stripes unwashed. Samuel Rutherford in prison at Aberdeen, and Madame Guyon in prison at Vincennes, tasted the same gladness. The latter said, "My heart was full of that joy which thou givest to them that love thee in the midst of the greatest crosses." This can be understood only by those who have some re~l acquaintance of heart with the Lord Jesus, and know what treasures 'his people ha'.lle in him-unsearchable riches, unerring wisdom, precious atonement, prevailing inter- cession, helpful sympathy, victorious strength, and everlnst.ing love. Genius often shows the combination of a pensive vein, a tenderness, a pathos, with a healthy elastic hopefulness, nay, with a joyfulness robust as in a man, yet simple and playful ea in 11< child. But we speak of what is better than even genius-the grace of God. This can make even very ordinary people both gentle and brave, tender and strong, patient in sorrow, and consta.nt in joy. "The meek shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the. poor amo.ng men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel"-F. • Ver. l.'3.-" Be ye enl,a,rge,d,." The apostle had specially in. view the increase of joy; But we may use the ex.horta.tion to commend the enlargement o.f Christian people. as resrcts head and heart and band. • BE ENLARGED IN YOUR THOUGHTS. No doubt there is a dangerous breadth or lwty ; but there is also mischief in the opposite direction, in narrowness. Goon people are apt to become the slaves of their own phraseology,.and to insist on their'own traditions of expression and definition as exclusively safe and orthodox. Christian truth appears to be with them quite a narrow ledge of stone shaped to their liking, whereas it is a broad firm rock that does not submit itself to men's measuring-lines. Never follow a narrow-minded religious teacher. He is sure to be opinioµative and monotonons. And even when he lodges a truth in the mind, he gives it the effect of a prejudice. Be enlarged in the comprehensive and manifold wisdom of the Bible. Dare to give yourself room in the far-reaching thoughts and words of God. Especially· ·seek to be enlarged in your estimate of Jesus Christ. Only by degrees was any sufficient knowledge of him attained by those who "companied with him" on earth. They loved him from the :first and often wondered. They tried by questions to peer into his mind, but could not make him out. They were surprisingly slow in their appre- hensions, till he opened the Scriptures to them after his resurrecti_on, and the Hol,Y Spirit fell on them after his ascenS1on. And now, thc;,ugh the Holy Spirit is wi_th us, his teaching is not received all at once by disciples, and they need mor~ a~d ID.ore enlargement. It is the mark of a growing Christian that in his view Christ increase~ ; the mark of a great Christian that to him Christ is very great. Augustine, Bernard, Leighton., Rutherford, Owen, Martyn,-were these great Christians? And what had they in common? Large and admiring thoughts of Christ. II. BE ENLABGED IN YOUR SYMPATHIES. Narrow hearts are even more mischievous and unchristian than narrow heads. It is confessedly difficult tor one who may hav~ received little mental culture, or has been early imbued with strong prejudices, to gai.J,i breadth of view; but there is no excuse for any one who, while naming the name ·qr Jesus, and professing to know the love of God, retains a peevish and contracted heart. We have said "professes to know the love of God," because, when this love is really "shed abroad by the Holy Spirit," it must tend to expand the affections and sym- pathies. Argument will not do it. Admonition cannot produce the effect. Love only kindles love, and so imparts a larger kindness and more delicate sensibility. Love cries shame on harshness and envy, spreads brotherly kindness, disposes to forgiveness of wrong and a kindly construction of motives, covers a multitude of sins. Hal[O syml'&thy wit.h a.ll good objects, though you cannot actually he/.p all 'l'ake the par~ ~f ea. v1. 1-18.) THE SECOND EPISTLE TO 'l'IIE GOIU~T.EIIAKS. 1r,;