life and spirit of it consists in an habitual, rational cheerfulness under all the difpenfations of Providence, whether they be in themselves joyous or grievous; in the testimony of our confciences that we incline toward fuch things as please Him beft; and in a well-grounded confidence of enjoying Him to all eternity, through the fatisfaction of his Son Jefus Christ our Lord.

And hence we may obferve, that there are in fact many special duties included under this general one of Rejoicing, and which neceffarily terminate in it; fuch as a prevailing Senfe and Love of GodRefignation to his will-Patience under fufferings. Contentment - Gratitude. Add to these a stedfast Faith in the divine promises, together with a lively Hope of good things to come in another life, through the merits of our Redeemer, arifing from a consciousness of having fincerely

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fincerely endeavoured to serve and please God. From all which refults a conftant fpring of fuch cheerful ferenity, fuch gladness of heart, as no melancholy nor difaftrous accidents can either trouble or dry up. Other worldly joys may be noisy and tumultuous, but they are empty and fhort-lived; like the crackling of thorns under a pot, to which Solomon compares the laughter of a fool. Whereas this is a calm and permanent kind of joy, that will stick by a man in all the changes of outward circumstance: According to thofe obfervations of the Pfalmift, "Unto the upright there arifeth light in the darkness; surely he shall not be moved for ever; he fhall not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." So St. Paul tells us that "he took pleasure even in infirmities, in reproaches, in neceffities, in perfecutions, in diftreffes, for Chrift's fake.” And we find the Prophet Habakuk comforting

comforting himself with this pious refolution, that" Although the fig-tree fhould not bloffom, neither fhould fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive should cease, and the field fhould yield no meat, the flock fhould be cut off from the fold, and there fhould be no herd in the stalls; yet he would rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of his Salvation."

Thus much for the import of this peculiar injunction, "Rejoice evermore”. I proceed in the next place to fhew that, according to it's juft meaning, it is both the special duty and fingular privilege of every good Christian.

2. And here let me observe a like obligation lies upon us to rejoice evermore, as does to obferve always the Commandments of the Gofpel; the certain confequence of which is gladness of heart.

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heart. But because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, the very best men frequently deviate from the other Christian precepts, upon that very account they must too proportionably fall fhort of this. The rule however is in it's felf good, as are all the rest we are required to follow; and the furest way to compass this, is to be as perfect as we can in all the other branches of our duty. True Religion and true Joy are in a manner the fame things, at least are sfo interwoven that nothing can disjoin them.

For inftance-How is it poffible for a man to believe the glad tidings of a spiritual Redeemer, the happy means of being reconciled to his God, and the many glorious things which Christ hath promised-I say, how is it poffible for a man to believe all this, (fo as to comply with the conditions) without being filled at the fame time with all peace and joy

in believing? Or, what is Hope but the very effort of rejoicing, when we can apply to our particular felves those faving truths and precious promises which are offered unto all, through the heavenly doctrines and meritorious sufferings of the Son of God? when we can anticipate the enjoyments of a future and better world by a pleafing foretaste, and cry out with the Apostle, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge fhall give me at that day."- Again, every inftance of piety, each act of devout addrefs, hath a peculiar delight annexed to it. When we meet together in the House of God, to make our fupplications for future fa་ vours before the Throne of his Majesty, and to praise Him with thankful hearts for past mercies; the pious Christian must needs be transported with that awful thought, that the eyes of the Lord

are