CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Now although I should first show, the nature of Christs joy, what it is, and how it is to be fulfilled in believers, yet I must first dispatch Christs end in this prayer, and all other his dispensations, viz. That the joy of the godly may be filled in them. ¹So that you are to look upon it both as a duty, and as a privilege. Not to live comfortably is a sin, as well as not to live holily; and take heed of quenching Gods Spirit, as it is a Comforter, as well as it is a sanctifier. For that it is a main intent of Christ to have you clothed with the garments of joy, will appear by these particulars:

Now although I should first shew, the nature of Christs joy, what it is, and how it is to be fulfilled in believers, yet I must first dispatch Christs end in this prayer, and all other his dispensations, viz. That the joy of the godly may be filled in them. ¹So that you are to look upon it both as a duty, and as a priviledge. Not to live comfortably is a sinne, as well as not to live holily; and take heed of quenching Gods Spirit, as it is a Comforter, as well as it is a sanctifier. For that it is a main intent of Christ to have you cloathed with the garments of joy, will appear by these particulars:

1. 1That Christ doth really intend that his people sha•l be joyful.That Christ doth really intend that his people sha•l be joyfull.

¹First, This solemn and remarkable prayer, which our Saviour did make with so much fullness of heart, was for this end, to fill them with joy. Though Christ prayed for impetration of the benefits mentioned in this prayer, yet the end why he spake this prayer so solemnly in the ears of the world, was that it might be a perpetual standing stock of comfort to the godly. Therefore the Apostle John, because the other Evangelists pretermitted this prayer, and much of his farewell Sermons, is very large and exact in the description of it: so that the Spirit of God thought it not enough to have it vocally pronounced, but also to be committed to writing, that so all the generations to come might take comfort from this prayer: If therefore the godly man consider, what Christ here prayeth for, and who it is that doth pray; The dignity of his person, the certainty of being heard; if there were no other Scripture remaining but this, there would be ground enough of joy. For the things which usually sad the hearts of Gods children, are either from within or without; from without are all the oppositions and cruel usages they meet with in the world by wicked men. These are thorns and goads in their sides: These are wolves to the sheep, and where they cannot suck their blood, yet they are briars and thorns, to tear and rend their wool off. Now our Saviours prayer is sufficient to turn this water into wine, he makes us