April 9
Fullness of Joy
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”
Psalm 16: 11.
To be saved: He that is saved must, when this world can hold him no longer have a safe-conduct to heaven. For that is the place where they that are saved must [be] to the full enjoy[ment of] their salvation. This heaven is called “the end of our faith.” Because it is that which faith looks at as Peter says, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” And again, “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (1 Peter 1: 9; Hebrews 10: 39). For as I said, heaven is the place for the saved to enjoy their salvation in, with that perfect gladness that is not attainable here. Here we are saved by faith and hope of glory. But there, we that are saved shall enjoy the end of our faith and hope even the salvation of our souls. There is “Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the general assembly and church of the firstborn.” There is the “innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect.” There is “God the judge of all and Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant.” There shall our soul have as much of heaven as it can enjoy and that without intermission. Wherefore, when we come there, we shall be saved indeed! But now for a poor creature to be brought . . . [there], this is the life of the point. But how shall I come . . . [there]? There are heights and depths to hinder (Romans 8: 38 & 39).
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