Certain sermons, first preached, and after published at several times, by M. Thomas Gataker…Certaine sermons, first preached, and after published at severall times, by M. Thomas Gataker…

Answer 4 4. There is no time, no state whatsoever, wherein the godly man hath not great cause of joy. It were unreasonable to require such incessant joy of such evermore and at all times, had not such at all times good reason to rejoice.^p Rejoice evermore, saith the Apostle: and,^q In all things give thanks. And surely, if we ought, as the same Apostle else-where saith,^r At all times and in all things to be thankful; then questionless we ought at all times and in all things to be joyful, as well in adversity, as in prosperity, as well in afflictions, as in freedom from them, as well when things fall out cross, as when it fareth with us as we would. The Godly man then hath at all times good and just cause of joy: it is apparent. For,^s Gods injunctions are not unreasonable. But I go a step further, and dare be bold to aver it, that every righteous man, every one that is truly religious, hath at all times, if he could himself see it and apprehend it, much more matter of joy, than he hath of grief, or can have. For what doth or can minister more matter of grief, than Gods favour and love in Christ may afford matter of joy? And those therefore that are ever in the favour of God, (what should I need to add; and that live in hope of eternal Glory with God?) can at no time have so great cause of grief, but that they have even at the self-same time much more cause of joy. But every Godly man is ever in favour with God:^t Every Godly man therefore hath ever and at all times, if he were so wise as to apprehend it, more ample matter of joy by much than of grief.

Answer 4 4. There is no time, no state whatsoever, wherein the godly man hath not great cause of joy. It were unreasonable to require such incessant joy of such evermore and at all times, had not such at all times good reason to rejoyce.^p Rejoyce evermore, saith the Apostle: and,