First, Whereas you say, they are melancholy & sad that are called by Christ to a profession of his ways, I would answer thus, That they of all people in the world have most cause of mirth & gladness, and they are the most truly joyful people in the world. That they have most cause of rejoicing is apparent. When the Disciples came triumphing that they could cast out Devils, heal the diseased, and work Miracles: O but saith Christ, Rejoice not in this, but rejoice that your names are written in the book of life, Luke 10.20. As much as if Christ should say, All the endowments and extraordinary gifts of the spirit, they are no such grounds of joy, if you had them all; but here is your joy, and cause of rejoicing, that your names are written in the book of Life; that you are in Christ, and your souls shall be saved. And so Paul tells us, Phil. 4.4. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. The Apostle would not speak it to them with a single command, but doubtless his expression, to show, that they that are people that have their sins pardoned; that have their souls reconciled; that have a title to glory, whose names are written in the book of Life; these of all men in the world have most cause of joy and gladness. And they have not only most cause, but they do most truly rejoice, and have more real joy in their hearts in one day, then the wicked can have all their lives, 1 Pet. 1.8. They rejoice ⟨p. 75⟩with joy unspeakable and full of glory. What joy you have in the world, the tongue is able to speak of it, but the tongue is not able to speak of that inward joy that godly men have in their hearts, upon the apprehension of the interest they have in Jesus Christ, Psal. 4.6. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance. And Thou shalt put more gladness in mine heart, &c. Prov. 14.13. A good conscience is a continual feast. Men are never more merry, then when they are at a feast; godly men, they carry clear consciences about them, and that makes them as joyous and pleasant, as if they were always at a great and sumptuous feast. Indeed this is true, they do not rejoice with such exorbitancies of joy as wicked men do. Wicked men rejoice in sin, that they cannot do; wicked men rejoice in their lusts, in their drunkenness, and their adulteries, and ways of sin, that godly men dare not do. Such a rejoicing as this, is the foundation of sorrow:
First, Whereas you say, they are melancholy & sad that are called by Christ to a profession of his waies, I would answer thus, That they of all people in the world have most cause of mirth & gladness, and they are the most truly joyful people in the world. That they have most cause of rejoycing is apparent. When the Disciples came triumphing that they could cast out Devils, heal the diseased, and work Miracles: O but saith Christ, Rejoyce not in this, but rejoyce that your names are written in the book of life, Luke 10.20. As much as if Christ should say, All the endowments and extraordinary gifts of the spirit, they are no such grounds of joy, if you had them all; but here is your joy, and cause of rejoycing, that your names are written in the book of Life; that you are in Christ, and your souls shal be saved. And so Paul tels us, Phil. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes, again I say rejoyce. The Apostle would not speak it to them with a single command, but doubtless his expression, to shew, that they that are people that have their sins pardoned; that have their souls reconciled; that have a title to glory, whose names are written in the book of Life; these of all men in the world have most cause of joy and gladness. And they have not onely most cause, but they doe most truly rejoyce, and have more real joy in their hearts in one day, then the wicked can have all their lives, 1 Pet. 1.8. They rejoyce ⟨p. 75⟩with joy unspeakable and full of glory. What joy you have in the world, the tongue is able to speak of it, but the tongue is not able to speak of that inward joy that godly men have in their hearts, upon the apprehension of the interest they have in Jesus Christ, Psal. 4.6. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance. And Thou shalt put more gladness in mine heart, &c. Prov. 14.13. A good conscience is a continual feast. Men are never more merry, then when they are at a feast; godly men, they carry clear consciences about them, and that makes them as joyous and pleasant, as if they were alwayes at a great and sumptuous feast. Indeed this is true, they do not rejoyce with such exorbitancies of joy as wicked men do. Wicked men rejoyce in sin, that they cannot do; wicked men rejoyce in their lusts, in their drunkenesse, and their adulteries, and wayes of sin, that godly men dare not do. Such a rejoycing as this, is the foundation of sorrow:
