I have observed, in holy scripture, how
particularly it is remarked, that persons rejoiced upon believing in Christ.
Thus the converted Eunuch went on his way rejoicing; thus the jailer rejoiced
with his whole house; thus Zaccheus received Christ joyfully. And well may
those rejoice who receive Jesus Christ; for with him they receive
righteousness, sanctification, and eternal redemption. Many have brought up an
ill report upon our good land, and would fain persuade people that religion
will make them melancholy mad. So far from it, that joy is one ingredient of
the kingdom of God in the heart of a believer; “The kingdom of God is
righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” To rejoice in the Lord, is a
gospel-duty. “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.” And who
can be so joyful, as those who know that their pardon is sealed before they go
hence and are no more seen? The godly may, but I cannot see how any ungodly men
can, rejoice: they cannot be truly cheerful. What if wicked men may sometimes
have laughter amongst them? It is only the laughter of fools; in the midst of
it there is heaviness; At the best, it is but like the cracking of thorns under
a pot; it makes a blaze, but soon goes out. But, as for the godly, it is not so
with them; their joy is solid and lasting. As it is a joy that a stranger
intermeddleth not with, so it is a joy that no man taketh from them: it is a
joy in God, a “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
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