Desire
"But now they desire a better couuntry , that is , an heavenly."
Now this is what sought in desiring a heavenly country . They wanted something heavenly , something that tasted of God , savoured of God , smelt of God , and was given of God , a heavenly religion , a spiritual faith , a gracious hope , and a love shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost ; something which came from heaven and led to heaven ; which gave heavenly feelings , heavenly sensations , heavenly delights , and heavenly joys , whereby the heart was purified from the love of sin , carnality and worldliness , by having something sweeter to taste , better to love , and more holy to enjoy . It is these heavenly visitations , droppings in of the favour , goodness , and mercy of God , which keep the soul alive in its many deaths , sweeten it amidst its many bitters , hold it up amidst its many sinkings , and keep it from being drowned while conflicting with many waters . A carnal mind has no taste for heavenly things , , no sweet delight in the word of God ; no delight in the Lord Jesus Christ as revealing himself in the word , no delight in closet duties , secret meditation , searching the scriptures , communion with God , or even the company of God's dear family . There must be a heavenly element in the soulto understand , realise , enjoy , and and delight in heavenly things . The Holy Ghost must have wrought in us a new heart , a new nature , capable of understanding , enjoying , and delighting in heavenly realities , as containing in them that which is sweet and precious to the soul . They desired , therefore a better country , that is , an heavenly , a city which hath foundations , whose builder and maker is God ; where pleasures are at God's right hand for ever more ; where the pure river of the water of life flows ; where the tree grows on which are found leaves for the healing of the nations ; such a city as John describes in the book of Revelation , where all is happiness , harmony , and peace .
Now this is what sought in desiring a heavenly country . They wanted something heavenly , something that tasted of God , savoured of God , smelt of God , and was given of God , a heavenly religion , a spiritual faith , a gracious hope , and a love shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost ; something which came from heaven and led to heaven ; which gave heavenly feelings , heavenly sensations , heavenly delights , and heavenly joys , whereby the heart was purified from the love of sin , carnality and worldliness , by having something sweeter to taste , better to love , and more holy to enjoy . It is these heavenly visitations , droppings in of the favour , goodness , and mercy of God , which keep the soul alive in its many deaths , sweeten it amidst its many bitters , hold it up amidst its many sinkings , and keep it from being drowned while conflicting with many waters . A carnal mind has no taste for heavenly things , , no sweet delight in the word of God ; no delight in the Lord Jesus Christ as revealing himself in the word , no delight in closet duties , secret meditation , searching the scriptures , communion with God , or even the company of God's dear family . There must be a heavenly element in the soulto understand , realise , enjoy , and and delight in heavenly things . The Holy Ghost must have wrought in us a new heart , a new nature , capable of understanding , enjoying , and delighting in heavenly realities , as containing in them that which is sweet and precious to the soul . They desired , therefore a better country , that is , an heavenly , a city which hath foundations , whose builder and maker is God ; where pleasures are at God's right hand for ever more ; where the pure river of the water of life flows ; where the tree grows on which are found leaves for the healing of the nations ; such a city as John describes in the book of Revelation , where all is happiness , harmony , and peace .
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