Prima the first things, in reference to the middle and last things

The fifth affection is joy, which in the unregenerate is merely sensual and brutish; it hath no better objects then gold, or greatness, or offices, or honours, or the like: and what are all these but a shadow, a ship, a bird, an arrow, a post that passeth by? or rather, as crackling of thorns under a pot, as flashes of lightning ⟨p. 19⟩before everlasting fire? But the joy of the regenerate is a spiritual joy, and the matter of it is the light of Gods countenance, or the robe of Christs righteousness, or the promises of Gods word; or above all, God Almighty, blessed evermore: Thus David, Whom have I in heaven but thee? ¹and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee, Psal. 73.25. Why, this is that joy which no man can conceive, but he that enjoys it; this is that white stone, Rev. 2.17. ²whose splendour shines only upon heavenly hearts; this is that glimpse of heavens glory, which springing up in a sanctified heart, out of the wells of salvation, and carried along with addition of fresh comforts (from the Word and Sacraments) through a fruitful current and course of mans life, it is at last entertained into the boundless and bottomless Ocean of the joys of Heaven. I will not say, but sometimes it may be assaulted, and stopped with some doubts, or distrusts, or weaknesses of degree, yet in respect of its creation, or essence, ³or blissful issue, it is (saith one) a very glimpse of heaven, a pure taste of the rivers of life, and first fruits (as he calls it) of everlasting joys.

The fifth affection is joy, which in the unregenerate is meerly sensual and bruitish; it hath no better objects then gold, or greatness, or offices, or honors, or the like: and what are all these but a shadow, a ship, a bird, an arrow, a post that passeth by? or rather, as crackling of thorns under a pot, as flashes of lightning ⟨p. 19⟩