arms.

Am I guilty?

He

storm; a support under every load. The eternal God is my refuge, and underneath are the everlasting "With him there is plenteous redemption." He was angry with me, but his anger is turned away, and he comforteth me. And what comfort can be compared with that which arises from the thought, that I am reconciled unto God by the death of his Son? That I am accepted in the Beloved? Do I want ability to "travel all the length of the celestial road," and a title to heaven when I arrive? "In the Lord have I righteousness and strength." "I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of his righteousness, even of his only." All his relations are mine. is my physician, my friend, my shepherd, my father. All his perfections are mine-his wisdom, his power, his mercy, and his truth. All the dispensations of his providence, all the treasures of his word, are mine." All his grace, all his glory is mine. "F will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Is this exultation excessive? There can be no excess here. As the Lord himself is the source of this joy, the joy passeth all understanding. And the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord ́for ever and ever, because the subject of it is not only perfect, but infinite.

His, finally, in the production. In vain is provision, however suitable and rich, spread within our view, if it be placed beyond our reach. Observe the language of God with regard to Ephraim: "I drew

them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws; and I laid meat unto them." The former was as necessary as the latter: while the mouth of the ox was muzzled, the nearness of the food would only tantalize and distress. What we mean by the allusion is this-There may be reasons for rejoicing when yet no joy is experienced; for the mourner may be unable to lay hold of them, and appropriate them to his own use. Asaph saw his safety, but felt his inability to reach it without the aid of him who had provided it. "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." David therefore says, "Thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures." And he prays, Rejoice the soul of thy servant." And he acknowledges, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart." And who can put it there, if he does not? Can conscience? Can a Christian friend? Can a minister; even a Barnabas, a son of consolation ? "When he maketh peace, then who can make trouble; and when he hideth his face, then who can behold him, whether it be done against a nation or a man only ?" Means are to be used; but the agency that renders them effectual is the Lord's. Our sleep would not refresh us without the divine blessing. Our food does not nourish us; but "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

And if this be true in natural things, is it less so in spiritual? Who then is Paul, and who is Apolles? Neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase. He is therefore called the "God of all comfort." And he is so called, not only to forbid our confidence in creatures, but to enlarge our expectations from himself,

by bringing an Almighty Creator of succour and refreshment into view, in our difficulties and sorrows. It says, I, even I, am he that comforteth you. Is any thing too hard for the Lord? However dark the scene, if he says, Let there be light, all shall be irra diated. However rough the winds and waves, if he says, Peace, be still, there shall be a great calm. He can turn the shadow of death into the morning. He can plant the hope of glory in the very bosom of despair. What he does not find, he can produce. If there be no pre-existent materials, he can create. Nothing hears his voice, and yields a world of life and plenty and bliss. He calleth those things which be not, as though they were. He is the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulations. Let us consider,

II. The UTILITY of this joy.

For it is not only divine, but efficacious; and efficacious, because divine-The joy of the Lord is your strength. To know the force of an argument, we apply it. To know the power of an implement, we make trial of it. To ascertain the strength of a man, we compare him with others; we task him with some exertion; we judge by the difficulty of the work which he achieves, and especially by the might of opposition he overcomes. Let us examine this joy. Let us bring it to six tests-some of them very severe ones. And let us see what it can do for the Christian-in his profession of religion-in his concern to recommend it to others-in the discharge of duty-in his perils-in his sufferings-and in death.

First, let us review the Christian in his profession of religion. That this profession is required of us,

it is hardly necessary to prove. In one place we are commanded to hold fast our profession." In a second, to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering." In a third, we are represented not only as believing with the heart unto righteousness, but as confessing with the mouth unto salvation." In a fourth, our Master tells us, that if we "deny him, he will also deny us ;" and that of those who are ashamed of him and of his words, he will be ashamed when he comes in the clouds of heaven with the holy angels." So necessary is it not only that we should be what we appear, but appear what we are. The religion of Jesus is so perfectly true and excellent, that it will bear any kind of exhibition. And it demands examination. And it is more beneficial the more it is known.

Now let us see how the joy of the Lord affects this profession. It is the very strength of it. For in proportion as a man possesses it, he feels satisfied with his portion; he glories in his choice; he is ready to avow it. And if it should occasion him some privations or sacrifices which may lead the enemy to reproach him, "Where is now your God?" he feels more than indemnified already; and can say with the Apostle, "for which cause I suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which is committed to him against. that day." David found God's testimonies his delight and his counsellor; and therefore he could say, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed."

There is a great difference between godly sorrow and godly joy. When we feel the former, we natu

rally seek to elude observation; we retire to weep, and the eye pours out tears unto God. But joy is stirring and manifestative. It says to them that are in darkness, "Shew yourselves." To the prisoners, "Go forth❞—and they "go forth with joy, and are led forth in peace." We can appeal to the experience of many of you. How long did you carry a wounded and bleeding conscience, before you laid open the distress, to any creature-inspection? It was otherwise when the desire was accomplished. When he commanded deliverance for you, when you were made free indeed, you could no longer conceal your emotions. You then said, "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings: I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent: O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." It was the loss of his joy, that made David dumb. He therefore He therefore prays, 66 Open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."-Let us therefore observe the Christian,

Secondly, in his concern to recommend religion to others. Real godliness shows itself not only personall, but socially. It must begin at home; but it can