Joy in the Lord opened in a sermon preached at Pauls, May 6

2. These sorrows are many times preparations for more joy, as the sorrow of a travailing woman, Joh. 16. 20. black roots bear beautiful flowers: The Whale that swallowed Jonah, carried him to the shore. Dark colours make way to an overlaying of gold. The more a stone is wounded by the hand of the engraver, the more beauty is superinduced upon it. Many times where the Lord intends most comfort, he doth usher it in with more sorrow; as the Angel first lamed Jacob, and then blessed him.

2. These sorrows are many times preparations for more joy, as the sorrow of a travailing woman, Joh. 16. 20. black roots bear beautiful flowres: The Whale that swallowed Jonah, carried him to the shore. Dark colours make way to an overlaying of gold. The more a stone is wounded by the hand of the engraver, the more beauty is superinduced upon it. Many times where the Lord intends most comfort, he doth usher it in with more sorrow; as the Angel first lamed Iacob, and then blessed him.

3. This very estate is far more eligible then the pleasures of sin, and therefore hath more delight in it. If you should ask an holy man in this case, you see how severely Christ deals with you: Will you not rather give over serving him, lamenting after him, languishing for want of him, and resume your wonted delights of sin again? What other answer would a good soul give, but as Christ to Peter, Get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offence unto me. Though there be little reason that he should comfort me, yet there is great reason that I should serve him. The wounds of Ghrist are better then the kiss of the world; it is much better being with a frowning fat••r, then with a flattering foe. The worst estate of a Saint is better then the best of a sinner, the bitterest Physic, then sweetest poison. As in the midst of worldly laughter the heart is sorrowful; so in the midst of saddest Temptations, the soul still concludes, It is good for me to draw nigh to Christ. Let him deny me, let him delay me, let him desert me, let him destroy me, yet I will love him, and desire him still. As the blackest day is lighter