11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.



Ver. 11. These things have I spoken, that, &c.] Sound joy is wrought in the heart by the hearing of the word; "Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken" (with the sense of sin amd fear of wrath) "may rejoice," Psa_51:8. And God creates the fruit of the lips to be peace, Isa_57:19.



That my joy may remain in you] The temporary’s joy, as it is groundless, like weeds that grow on the top of the water, so it is but frothy and flashy, such as may wet the mouth, but not warm the heart, smooth the brow, but not fill the breast: like a sligbt dash of rain, or a handful of brushwood, &c., Ecc_7:6. The true Christian’s joy is full and firm, solid and substantial, Gaudium in re, gaudium in spe, gaudium de possessione, guadium de promissione. Joy in the matter, joy in hope, joy in the possession, joy in the promise. He hath still enough to make him everlastingly merry under whatsoever misery. He can turn into his counting house, and find there sufficient to sustain him, as David did, 1Sa_30:6.