Grace is here set forth by the effect and adjunct thereof, which he makes to consist in the greatest joy, in those words, wherein ye rejoyce. Now this joy is amplified by those manifold afflictions and temptations, which usually make men sad rather then joyfull, in the other part of the 6. verse, where the amplification per discretum axioma, by a discret axiom, is to be conceived after this manner. Although by reason of manifold afflictions and temptations ye are exceeding heavy, yet so great is the excellency of this grace wherein yee stand, that these afflictions are no hinderance to you, because ye rejoyce in that grace with great joy.
Now that afflictions should not take away spirituall joy from the faithfull, he shewes, first, from the nature of those afflictions, wherewith the faithfull are wont to be vexed. 2. From the nature of that grace, which produceth spirituall joy. The heavinesse of afflictions is diminished. 1. By the adjunct of duration, that they are but for a season. 2. By the adjunct of profit, that they bring fruit & utility; and for no other cause doe they befall them, in these words: if need be. 3. By the singular end and use of afflictions, by which also their profit is shewed, to wit, that they serve for the triall of their faith; which triall of faith is set forth by a similie, and that of a lesser, the triall of Gold. 4. By the effect of it, which is praise, honour and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ.
The nature of grace he shewes to be such, as that it can overcome all afflictions: the reason whereof he makes to be this, because it joynes us with Christ, without the helpe of the outward senses, and so both against and above sense, it lifts up the mind to the greatest joy verse 8. of which joy hee declareth first the adjuncts of it, unspeakable and full of glory, and afterwards the cause or argument that moves or stirres up such joy in the faithfull, to wit, that by their faith they are made surer of the salvation of their Souls; which is the end and scope of the 9 verse.
The Doctrines drawne hence.
Doctrine 1. Ioy and spirituall rejoycing ariseth from the sense and participation of spirituall grace.
This is gathered from those words: Wherein ye reioyce. For exultatio, rejoycing is a vehement act of joy, as tis intimated in the end of the 8. verse.
Reason. 1. Because it is the nature of joy, for the mind to delight it selfe with the possession of some solid good: now there is noe good that can be Compared cum Summo bono, with that chiefe good and eternall happines; & this we begin to have possession of in having possession of saving grace; and the compleat and full possession of it is laid hold on and made sure by faith and hope; and hence it is that spirituall joy is properly the fruit of hope. Hebrews 3.6. Romans 5.2. Yet notwithstanding this is so to be understood, as that wee must not exclude all those from the state of grace, which have not this joy sometimes; because this joy depends upon the sence of grace; now sometimes they have not the sence of grace, that are either hindered by ignorance, or some grievous temptation, that they cannot be sensible of that which they have.
Vse 1. This may serve to refute those carnall men, who suppose the practice of religion to bee full of sadnesse and heavinesse, without any joy or delight; when indeed the joy of those men is nothing else but madnesse, Ecclesiastes 2.2. and is changed at length into the greatest sorrow: but true and solid joy is the priviledge of all the godly, because they alone have true cause of joy, and that joy shall never be taken from them.
2. To exhort us to raise up our mindes to the exercise of this joy, for thereunto we are called, that we should alwayes rejoyce in the Lord, Philippians 4.4. An example hereof we have in the Eunuch, who went forward in his way with joy, after that by baptisme he was made sure of the grace of God, Acts 8.39.
Doctrine 2. Manifold afflictions may well stand with this joy.