believing. Rom. xv. 13. The reason why there is little joy is, that there is little faith. The Bible is so rich a treasury of joyful truths, it abounds so in precious promises and full statements of God's loving kindness, it opens such boundless scenes of blessedness and glory to God's people, that it is only love of sin and unbelief that can keep us from true peace and happiness. David says, Our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Psalm xxxiii. 21.

Yet we may have to WAIT FOR A SEASON. This often goes before enjoyment; as David says, I waited patiently for the Lord, before he says, And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Psalm xl. 1, 3. Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel, before he held the infant Saviour in his arms, and could say, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Luke ii. 25. That we may value blessings the more when they are given, and know better the real giver, this season of waiting is appointed, and how blessed the result of patient waiting: For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Isaiah lxiv. 4.

Once more the precious GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, is the most needful of all other gifts to fill us with joy. He can dispense with every other preparation, and at once pour into our hearts a joy unspeakable and full of glory; joy in the Holy Ghost is an essential part of the kingdom of God. Rom. xiv. 17. The Saviour gives the oil of joy for mourning. Isa. lxi. 3. The churches having rest and walking in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multi

plied. Acts viii. 31. When the disciples are filled with joy, it is an evidence that they are filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts xiii. 52; 1 Thess. i. 7. Would we then have much spiritual joy, we must abound much in prayer for this special gift of God, which the Saviour so freely bestows on them that ask. John iv. 10.

Meditation.

Let me have large expectations from the love of my God, and notwithstanding all present darkness and gloom, hope even against hope that there may yet be light, and joy and peace to my soul. That I may gain these blessings may I really believe the grace which Jesus Christ has brought, and wait on God and receive largely the gift of the Holy Spirit. God's word cannot fail, let me rest upon it now and

evermore.

2. THE CHIEF SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL JOY.

The apostle in the plain command shews us both the duty and the source of constant spiritual joy: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice. Phil. iv. 4.

Christ Jesus, our Lord, is our joy; or in the emphatic language of David, God, my exceeding joy. Psalm xliii. 4. The true joy of the immortal soul, little as the world may think it to be so, and much as men may scorn it, is only to be found in communion with our risen Lord and Saviour. The world has committed two destructive evils, they have forsaken this fountain of living waters, and they have hewn out broken cisterns that can hold no water.

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To explore all the riches of Christ and the unfathomable ocean of blessedness in him, will be our happy employment through eternity. It is therefore but a very small part that we can now attain, but that little is infinitely more than all that this world can give.

If LOVE is one spring of joy, think of the unequalled love of Jesus! What thoughts of love he had in our creation and recovery, from everlasting, before the earth was formed! He describes himself as rejoicing in the habitable parts of the earth, and my delights were with the sons of men. Prov. viii. 31. When he came in our nature, what grace was manifested! He left a scene of glory unutterable, for a scene and course of humiliation which never can be paralleled; for where else can such dignity stoop to such abasement? The Father loved the world and gave his Son. The Son loved our fallen race and gave himself for us. See him incarnate in our nature, a child, a youth, subject to earthly parents, in poverty, in sorrow, in temptation, in agony, dying, dying on the cross, praying for his murderers! O love beyond comparison ! Let it gladden our hearts. For yet he is the same. Ascended and at the right hand of his Father, his love has never varied. He died for his enemies; he lives for his enemies; the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Soon, very soon now, he will return in personal glory to reward all his faithful followers, and make them joint heirs in his glory.

If RELATIONSHIP is a source of joy, O what gracious relations he sustains to those who do the will of God. He is the bridegroom, we are his bride: he is the husband who loved the church, and gave

us.

himself for it, and nourishes and cherishes it. He is the everlasting Father who brings his sons to glory: he is the elder brother who loves all his brethren; he is the beloved friend who keeps nothing back from His disciples are to him mother and brethren; for he says whosoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother. Matt. xii. 50., Christ is all in all. And if deprived of all other relations you attain this one relationship, you find an hundredfold more even in this time, brethren and sisters and mothers and children. Mark x. 30.

If VARIETY OF GOOD can be a source of joy, this you have in Christ Jesus beyond all comparison. He has unsearchable riches. Prov. viii. 18; Ephes. iii. 8. Pleasures without end. Ps. xvi. 11. Beauty without defect. Ps. xlv. 2. Eloquence to instruct and to comfort. Isa. 1. 4; Cant. v. 16. Graces more precious than perfumes. Cant. i. 3; iii. 6. ledge of infinite excellence. Phil. iii. 8. conceivable. Ps. xxiv.; John xvii. 24. righteousness, sanctification, redemption, every good, is in Christ.

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Wisdom,

If FULNESS OF GOOD can make us joyful, this there is in Christ for us: for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, the round world, and they that dwell therein. Ps. xxiv. 1. It has pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. Col. i. 19. There is joy in him, and it is fulness of joy. Ps. xvi. 11; John xvi. 22. There is grace in him, and it is fulness of grace. John i. 16. He is ever present. Matt. xxviii. 20. He is altogether lovely, and the chief treasure. other good things are but pictures and emblems, of which he is THE REAL SUBSTANCE. He only can say,

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I am the true vine. I am the good shepherd. I am the bread of life. The sun, the bright and morning star; the tree of life, the way, and the light. Everything that is really valuable has a fuller value as leading us to and shewing us something of the fulness of good in Christ Jesus.

The WHOLE COMPANY OF SAINTS with one voice ACKNOWLEDGE the joy to be found in Christ Jesus. Abraham rejoiced to see my day, says Christ, and he saw it, and was glad. John viii. 5. David, in the full experience of it, calls on all others to partake of it. O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands. Ps. c. 1. Mary, the virgin, so highly favoured among women, finds this her chief joy. My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour. Luke i. 46, 47. The eunuch of Queen Candace, directed to Christ and believing in him, goes on his way rejoicing. Acts viii. 40. When the people of Samaria had Christ preached unto them, there was great joy in that city. Acts viii. 8. Patriarchs, prophets, kings, apostles and martyrs, in every age, amidst all their sufferings, find their joy in Christ; bearing up their souls and leading them to take all their losses and temptations as fresh occasions of thanksgiving and joyfulness, being endured for his sake.

Here then, here only is the chief source of joy.

Prayer to know Christ.

O thou divine Redeemer, who hast said, no man knoweth who the Son is but the Father; though the full riches of thy grace and glory be unfathomable and unsearchable, yet give unto me grace to know something of that love which passeth knowledge, and to grow and increase in this knowledge day by