(2.) It is stronger than the Evil which it opposeth; it swalloweth up all our Sorrows, whatever they be. Look, as we say of Wine, or of any Spirits, it is very strong, when a few Drops can change a great deal of Water into its own Nature: So because it overcometh the greatest Evils, Terrors of Conscience, worldly Miseries, and the greatest Anguish and Distress which may befall us, therefore it is called strong Comfort. A mighty Joy, a sense of God's Love in Christ, swalloweth up all our Sorrow whatever. The Wrath of God is a dreadful thing, we can hardly think of it without amazement. The fear of Hell, Death and Judgment to come, these are wont to raise a great Storm in the Conscience, but spiritual Joy can only allay it. As a wounded Conscience can say, there is no Sorrow like unto my Sorrow; so a peaceable Conscience can say, there is no Joy like unto my Joy. Phil. 4.7. The Peace of God, which passeth all Understanding, shall keep your Hearts and Minds, through Jesus Christ. The strength of this Joy is seen by Experience rather than Expression. In outward Troubles, they can take pleasure in Infirmities, 2 Cor. 12.10. Glory in Tribulation, Rom. 5.3. The more the Devil seeks to trouble the Saints, they have the more Joy, and are more than Conquerors, Rom. 8.37. and all by the Power of this Joy; as the more we seek to wrest a Staff out of a Man's Hands, he holds it the faster. Tribulations, Anguish, Distress, Fears, Torments, Difficulties, they are all overpowered by this Joy.
(2.) It is stronger than the Evil which it opposeth; it swalloweth up all our Sorrows, whatever they be. Look, as we say of Wine, or of any Spirits, it is very strong, when a few Drops can change a great deal of Water into its own Nature: So because it overcometh the greatest Evils, Terrors of Conscience, worldly Miseries, and the greatest Anguish and Distress which may befal us, therefore it is called strong Comfort. A mighty Joy, a sense of God's Love in Christ, swalloweth up all our Sorrow whatever. The Wrath of God is a dreadful thing, we can hardly think of it without amazement. The fear of Hell, Death and Judgment to come, these are wont to raise a great Storm in the Conscience, but spiritual Joy can only allay it. As a wounded Conscience can say, there is no Sorrow like unto my Sorrow; so a peaceable Conscience can say, there is no Joy like unto my Joy. Phil. 4.7. The Peace of God, which passeth all Vnderstanding, shall keep your Hearts and Minds, through Iesus Christ. The strength of this Joy is seen by Experience rather than Expression. In outward Troubles, they can take pleasure in Infirmities, 2 Cor. 12.10. Glory in Tribulation, Rom. 5.3. The more the Devil seeks to trouble the Saints, they have the more Joy, and are more than Conquerors, Rom. 8.37. and all by the Power of this Joy; as the more we seek to wrest a Staff out of a Man's Hands, he holds it the faster. Tribulations, Anguish, Distress, Fears, Torments, Difficulties, they are all overpowred by this Joy.
