Baxter - BV4253 B39 C78 1658

131 The Crucifying of the world, hopeerelong that we iiiall be withhim ; this is the joy that muff be expectedby believers here on earth. Though an Enjoying foretafie maynow.and then afford them a feaR, yet is it this Believing. defiring, Peeking Joy that muff be their ordinary fuftentation : And if in this world they have no other, they have caufe to beabundantly thankful for this. ToRejoyce in thefruition of God, (efpecially when it is full ) is the part of the Glorified Saints in heaven. ToRejoyce in the creature as accommodating their flefh, isthe Joy of the Carnal flnfanctifiedhereon earth (A remnant of which is in the im- perfect Saints. ) To rejoyce in weer outward Ordinances andthe falfe conceits of fpecial Grace , is theJoy of hypocrites and com- mon profeffors. Tobe without Toy is the part of fome of the un- godly under the terrours of their confciences, and of true Çhri- ffians that know not their own fincerity, or are under force great defertionsof God. To be out of allhopeand potbility of roy is the part of the Devil, anddamned. men. But to Rejoyce in the true mortification of the flefh, and in the holycontempt ofworld- ly things, and in the defres and hopesof the glory to come this is thepart of the Saints on the earth ; and the prefent joy that cometh by believing. And this kind of joy is molt fuitable to our prefent condition : as Fruition is fuitable toour Heavenly End. The comforts of travailers is, not of the fame kind with thofeof a man that is at home. He that is at home would have his wealth about him. But youwould not carry your houles with you in your journey, nor would you drive your.cattle withyou, orcarry all your goods and riches withyou : A travailer would have as fair a wayas he can get, and as good a. guide , and necef_ faries for his journey, andnomore, but all the reft he would have at home , that he may find it when he comes thither. It is his benefit in the way, towant nomore, and to have no more : 'For the more he needeth ,. and bath , the morehemuff beburdened and troubled. Mark the defcriptions of our prefent bleffednels that you find in the Scriptures, and you may fee that they confPt in our prefent Mortification tò thingsbelow,and delires andhopes of things to come rather then in a Rate of enjoyment here , whether it be of theworlder of God. Though frill the reafon of cur Bleffednefs in a mortified effate , is the tendency that it hash to a glorified can ; becaufe it is the way to that, Mat. 5. 3. [ Blefed

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=