That was the work which the
Apostles had given them to do. Do you not see, friends, that unless
those Apostles had been the most selfish of men, unless all they
cared for was their own gain and comfort, they must have rejoiced?
The whole world was to be set right--what matter what happened to
them? And, therefore, I said at the beginning of my sermon, that a
sure way to know whether our minds were in a right state, was to see
whether we felt about it as the Apostles felt. The Bible tells us to
rejoice always, to praise and give thanks to God always. If we
believe what the Apostles believed, we shall be joyful; if we do not,
we shall not be joyful. If we believe in the words which the Lord
spoke before He ascended on high, we shall be joyful. If we believe
that all power in heaven and earth is His, we shall be joyful. If we
believe that the son of the village maiden has ascended up on high,
and received gifts for men, we shall be joyful. If we believe that,
as our baptism told us, God is our Father, the Son of God our
Saviour, the Spirit of God ready to teach and guide us, we shall be
joyful. Do you answer me, "But the world goes on so ill; there is so
much sin, and misery, and folly, and cruelty in it; how can we be
joyful?" I answer: There was a hundred times as much sin, and
misery, and folly, and cruelty, in the Apostles' time, and yet they
were joyful, and full of gladness, blessing and praising God.
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