Reason 1. Because faith and hope is properly of those things that are not seene, Romans 8.24. Hebrews 11.1. Now this joy ariseth from faith and hope, as it is in the Text.
2. Because we rejoyce either in the actuall possession, or in the certainty of the possession of the things we love. Now Christ having not yet seene we love, as it is in the Text.
Vse. This may serve to exhort us, while we live here by faith, so to walke, rejoyce, and live, as if we did behold Christ with our eyes: For blessed are all they which have not seen and yet have beleeved, Iohn 20.29.
Doctrine 5. This joy is unspeakable and full of glory.
Reason. Because both the thing it selfe wherein we rejoyce, and the operation of the Spirit in raising our mindes unto it, is more divine, then can possibly be conceived, much lesse expressed by us.
Vse 1. This may serve to admonish us not to be too curious in the searching after and declaring of those things that are unutterable.
2. To exhort us to apply our soules to the sense and exercise of this grace, because they have a divine and glorious nature.
Doctrine 6. By this joy we begin to looke for the end of our faith, even the salvation of our soules.
Reason. Because this spirituall joy is a glorious beginning of our glory, and so of our salvation through Christ.
Vse. This may serve to exhort us, highly to prize this spirituall joy, and by all meanes to be carefull to stirre up and cherish it in our selves.