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  A MIXED CONDITION
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: The mixed condition of God's people is a divine arrangement to
wean us from earthly vanities and long for pure joys in heaven.

Topics: "Joy and Sorrow", "The Mixed Condition of Life"
Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 3:1

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes that the condition of God's people in this life
is a mixed one, characterized by alternating times of joy and sorrow. He
contrasts this earthly experience with the eternal states of heaven,
which is filled with joy, and hell, which is filled with sorrow. Brooks
argues that the mixture of joy and sorrow serves a divine purpose,
preventing pride from joy and despair from sorrow, while also drawing
believers closer to the hope of eternal joy in heaven. This balance
encourages a longing for the pure joys of the afterlife, reminding us
that our current struggles are temporary. Ultimately, Brooks highlights
the importance of this mixed condition in shaping our spiritual lives
and aspirations.

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CONTENT
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The condition of God's people in this life is a mixed

condition. In this life they have . . .

their rejoicing times and their mourning times,

their laughing times and their weeping times,

their singing times and their sorrowing times, etc.

It is true, in heaven there is . . .

all joy and no sorrow,

all gladness and no sadness;

and in hell there is . . .

all sorrow and no joy,

all grief and no gladness,

all howling and no singing,

all madness and no mirth.

But in this present life it is otherwise, for if

there would be nothing but joy, many would

look for no other heaven; and if there should

be nothing but sorrow, most would look for

no other hell. If men should have nothing but

joy--how sadly would they be puffed up! And

if they should have nothing but sorrow--how

easily would they be cast down! But now, by

a divine hand, our sorrows being mixed with

our joys--our hearts come to be the more

effectually weaned from the vanities of this

life, and to long more earnestly after the

pure and unmixed joys in the world of glory.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/a-mixed-condition/
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