The Happy Exchange
The sermon encourages listeners to focus on Christ's fullness and the happy exchange of earthly things for heavenly things, even in times of sorrow.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound joy of the 'happy exchange' made by Mary, who has transitioned from earthly struggles to heavenly bliss. He encourages the grieving to focus on her newfound happiness in heaven, where she has traded imperfection for perfection and mourning for rejoicing. Brooks reminds the listeners that despite their sorrow, Christ remains a constant source of fullness and joy, urging them to fix their hearts on Him. He highlights that all earthly joys are encapsulated in Christ, who offers ultimate satisfaction and peace. By turning their thoughts to Christ, they can find solace and quiet their grief.
Text
I heartily wish that all who are concerned in
this sad loss, were more taken up in minding
the happy exchange which Mary has made,
than with your present loss.
She has exchanged:
earth--for heaven,
a wilderness--for a paradise,
a prison--for a palace,
a house made with hands--for one eternal in the heavens,
imperfection--for perfection,
sighing--for singing,
mourning--for rejoicing,
petitions--for praises,
the society of sinful mortals--for the company of God,
pain--for ease,
sickness--for health,
a bed of weakness--for a bed of spices,
her brass--for silver,
her pennies--for gold,
her earthly contentments--for heavenly enjoyments,
an imperfect, transient enjoyment of God--for a more
clear, full, perfect, and permanent enjoyment of God.
And as I desire that one of your eyes may be fixed upon
her happiness--so I desire that your other eye may be
fixed upon Christ's fullness. Though your brook be dried
up, yet Christ the fountain of light, life, love, grace, glory,
comfort, joy, goodness, sweetness and satisfaction--is still
at hand--and always full and flowing--yes, overflowing!
As the worth and value of many pieces of silver is contracted
in one piece of gold--so all the sweetness, all the goodness,
all the excellencies which are in husbands, wives, children,
friends, etc., are concentrated in Christ! Yes, all the whole
volume of perfections which is spread through heaven and
earth--is epitomized in Christ!
Oh, that your hearts and thoughts were thus busied about
Christ, and taken up with Christ, and with those treasures
of wisdom, knowledge, grace, goodness, sweetness, etc.,
which are in Him! This would very much allay your grief and
sorrow, and keep your hearts quiet and silent before the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- The Happy Exchange
- Mary's Exchange
- Earth for Heaven
- A Wilderness for a Paradise
Key Quotes
“Though your brook be dried up, yet Christ the fountain of light, life, love, grace, glory, comfort, joy, goodness, sweetness and satisfaction--is still at hand--and always full and flowing--yes, overflowing!” — Thomas Brooks
“As the worth and value of many pieces of silver is contracted in one piece of gold--so all the sweetness, all the goodness, all the excellencies which are in husbands, wives, children, friends, etc., are concentrated in Christ!” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh, that your hearts and thoughts were thus busied about Christ, and taken up with Christ, and with those treasures of wisdom, knowledge, grace, goodness, sweetness, etc., which are in Him!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Focus on Christ's fullness to find comfort and joy in times of sorrow.
- Recognize that all the sweetness and goodness in life is concentrated in Christ.
- Take your minds off your grief and sorrow by focusing on Christ and His treasures.