Thus, and unspeakably more than thus, do Saints rejoice and shout for joy, when they reap the favour and love of God, for which they laboured in many a weary duty. This joy of harvest, as great as it is, and as much as carnal hearts are lifted up with it, is but a trifle, a thing of nought, compared with yours; after they have sown to themselves in righteousness, and waited for the effects and returns of their duties with patience, and at last come to reap in mercy, either the full harvest in heaven, or but the first fruits of it on earth, yet rejoice, with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1 Pet. 1. 8. This puts more gladness into their hearts, than when corn and wine increases, Psal. 4. 7. Carnal joys are but soul-Fevers, the Agues of the inner-man; there is as great difference betwixt the unnatural inflammations of a feverish body which wastes their spirits, and drinks up the radical moisture, and that kindly well-tempered heat of an healthy body; and as much between the sweet, serene and heavenly joys, which flow from the bosom of Christ into the hearts of believers, and those earthly delights which carnal hearts in a sensual way suck out of creature-enjoyments. I will show you the transcendency of spiritual joys, above the joy of harvest, in these eight particulars following.
THus, and unspeakably more than thus, do Saints rejoyce and shout for joy, when they reap the favour and love of God, for which they laboured in many a weary duty. This joy of harvest, as great as it is, and as much as carnal hearts are lifted up with it, is but a trifle, a thing of nought, compared with yours; after they have sown to themselves in righteousness, and waited for the effects and returns of their duties with patience, and at last come to reap in mercy, either the full harvest in heaven, or but the first fruits of it on earth, yet rejoyce, with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1 Pet. 1. 8. This puts more gladness into their hearts, than when corn and wine increases, Psal. 4. 7. Carnal joyes are but soul-Fevers, the Agues of the inner-man; there is as great difference betwixt the unnatural inflamations of a feverish body which wastes their spirits, and drinks up the radical moisture, and that kindly well-tempered heat of an healthy body; and as much between the sweet, serene and heavenly joyes, which flow from the bosom of Christ into the hearts of believers, and those earthly delights which carnal hearts in a sensual way suck out of creature-enjoyments. I will shew you the transcendency of spiritual joyes, above the joy of harvest, in these eight particulars following.
