A mixed condition

A mixed condition

(Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity; or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness", 1662)

The condition of God's people in this life, is a mixed condition. They now have . . .
  their rejoicing times — and their mourning times,
  their laughing times — and their weeping times,
  their singing times — and their sorrowing times, etc.

But 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 were nothing but joy — many would look for no other Heaven. And if there were nothing but sorrow — most would look for no other Hell.

If men had nothing but joy — how sadly would they be puffed up! And if they had 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!