VeR. 131.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX, 363
our knowledge of them is clear, and by the senses obtrude and thrust themselves upon the soul. Therefore use them with a guard and restraint.
[7.] Though this desire should always continue in some degree, yet there are some seasons when it is more vehement, and more notably stirred and raised. In some degree it should always continue, for our necessities and work are ever the same ; and if it be only a qualm or fit, it is not right : Ps. cxix. 20, ' My soul breaketh for the longing it hath unto thy judgments at all times.' Appetite followeth life; but at special times it is more notably raised, as when we are to meet with God in solemn duties ; it is whetted when disappointed, and stirred upon some restraint or delay, when we meet not with what we expected, that light and comfort and strength that we looked for, but are kept off from satisfaction. When some deep distress makes spiritual com- forts more seasonable, or in some great affair or temptation, we need more than ordinary strength, or in some doubt we need light and direction ; in all these cases, spiritual desire is more stirring, and a strong affection is kindled in us. David panted as an hart : Ps. xlii. 1, ' As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 0 God.' It was when he was in some distress. So Ps. Ixiii. 1, ' 0 God, thou art my God ; early will I seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.' Oh ! the sighs and groans that are sent up at such a time ! Troubles will sharpen our appetite and rouse us out of security. We cannot always subsist under strong affections ; they are very mutable, yet something of them should continue.
tlse 1. For reproof.
1. Many are acquainted with the passionateness of sin, but know little of the passionateness of spiritual desire : 1 Thes. iv. 5, yu,?) iv irdOei i7rL6vjj,ia(;, ' not in the lust of concupiscence.' Some think it should rather be rendered thus, Not in the passion of lust. Many times lust groweth to violence, men neigh like fed horses after their neighbours' wives ; they feel an ardency and a burning heat in their evil passions and lusts, but none of this gasping and panting for spiritual refreshings and the comforts of the soul. They are ac- quainted Avith passionate wrath and fury, passionate envy and spite- fulness, passionate lust and filthy desires, passionate covetousness, as Aliab after Naboth's vineyard ; the boilings of sin they know, but were never acquainted with these gaspings after grace, as Amnon lusted for Tamar : Eom. i. 27, ' They burned in lust one towards another.' When any sin groweth so headstrong as to admit of no restraint, but men are wedded to their own inclination, that is the passionateness of sin.
2. Some that have affectionate desires for worldly things, and their souls are pained and grieved, and are sick within them if they have them not. These ditfer from the former, for there the object was sinful, but here the object is lawful, but the desire is irregular ; they are sick of pleasures, their hearts run on them, and they cannot re- frain : ' As the fool's heart is in the house of mirth,' Eccles. vii. 4. All their longings are for balls and dancings and plays and merry meetings ; these are suitable entertainments to the hearts of fools, vain and sottish epicures, that know no higher delights than the tickling
364 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXLIV.
of tliG senses ; their love runneth tliat way, and their hearts are wholl}' estranged from God. So some sick of riches and wealth, they gape and gasj) for them with an impatient longing : 1 Tim. vi. 9, ' Tliey that will he rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, that drown men in destruction and perdition.' The more they have, the more they covet, as the laying on of more fuel increaseth the flame ; they are impatient, making haste to be rich, run themselves, yea, their consciences, out of breath, to overtake the prey. The Avorld is their element, out of which they cannot live, but spend their time, wit, strength of their souls upon it. They are sick for honour, credit, esteem ; as Mordecai's stiff knee cast Haman upon his bed : Esther iii. 5, 'And when Haman saw that Mor- decai bowed not the knee, nor gave him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath ;' chap. vi. 12, ' Mordecai came again to the king's gate, but Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. How do men tire their spirits, waste their strength, to com- pass honour and esteem in the world ! and if they find it not, how are they troubled ! Ambition is a restless thing ; how doth Absalom coui't the people, sick for rule and government !
3. It reproveth them that have only a cold approbation, but no earnest affection to the things of God. Oh, how this instance should shame us that we have no more affection ! David speaketh of longing and panting ; Ave thirst not, we pant not ; their fervency reproveth our luke- warmness, we are indifferent whether we have this light, comfort, and grace, yea or no. God's children thirst for it as dry ground for rain. We have some loose and straggling thoughts about holy things, or weak and ineffectual glances of desire, some lukewarm motions ; but for these strong affections, admire them we may, feel them we do not. Wicked men may have slight apprehensions of spiritual things, which may produce some slight desires and wishes, which yet are so feeble and weak that every carnal desire overcometh them.