(1.) This desire is acted towards his sanctifying grace and Spirit, called an hungering and thirsting after righteousness : Mat. v. 6, * Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.' Or the comfort and effect of ordinances and holy duties, that they may get more of God and holiness into their hearts : 1 Peter ii. 2, ' As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby ; ' Ps. Ixxxiv. 2, ' My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord ; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.' Not the formality of an ordinance, but ' to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary,' Ps. Ixiii. 2. They would not go from God without him. The sanctifying Spirit is the sure pledge of God's love ; and they do so earnestly desire to be like God in purity and holiness, that they are instant and assiduous in calling upon God, and using all holy means whereby they may obtain more of his Spirit. This doth show us most of God him- self, for we know his love by his Spirit ; and doth most help us to love him : Prov. iv. 7, ' Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting, get understanding.' Wealth, honour, and secular learning, or whatever serveth,the interest of the flesh, may be an hindrance and impediment in the ascending of our hearts and minds to God. These things often keep us from God, and allure us to please the flesh ; but saving grace, as it immediately cometh from God, so it carrieth us to him.
(2.) The perpetual vision of God hereafter : Phil. i. 23, ' I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better ; ' 2 Cor. v. 6, 8, ' Knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord : we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.' They have a great natural love to the body, and would not to be
SERMON UPON I CORINTHIANS VIII. 3. 139
unclothed ; but this natural love is overcome by an higher love, the longings of their soul after the Lord, so that they groan, and wait, and in the meantime endeavour to make it sure that they shall be accepted of the Lord into this blessed estate ; all which is comprised in this desiring and seeking love.
[2.] There is the complacential and delighting love. Divines use to distinguish of a twofold love — love of benevolence and love of compla- cency. Love of benevolence is desiring the felicity of another; love of com- placency is the pleasedness of the soul in a suitable good. Apply this to the love of God to us ; he loveth us both these ways. Amore benevolentice, with a love of benevolence or good- will : John iii. 16, 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' And amore complacentice, with a love of complacency or delight : Zeph. iii. 17, ' The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty ; he will save ; he will rejoice over thee with joy ; he will rest in his love ; he will joy over thee with singing ; ' Prov. xi. 20, ' They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord, but such as are upright in their way are his delight ; ' and Prov. xii. 22, ' Lying lips are abomina- tion to the Lord, but they that deal truly are his delight.' But now the question is whether one or both of these be compatible with our love to God. With the love of delight, certainly we may and should love him : Ps. xvi. 6, 7, ' The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel ; my reins also instruct me in the night season,' But as to the love of benevolence, he is above our injuries and benefits, and needeth nothing from us to add to his felicity ; unless improperly, when we desire his glory and the advancement of his kingdom and interest in the world. But there is no scruple as to the love of complacency : Ps. xxxvii. 4, ' Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.' There is a joy and pleasure of mind in think- ing of him ; Ps. civ. 34, ' My meditation of him shall be sweet ; I will be glad in the Lord.' Much more in enjoying of him in part here : Ps. iv. 6, 7, ' Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us : thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.' But most of all in our full enjoyment of him : Ps. xvi, 11, ' Thou wilt show me the path of life ; in thy pre- sence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever- more.' The soul is well pleased in God as an all-sufiicient portion. It is good to observe what puts gladness into our hearts. Joy in heaven is our everlasting portion ; but there is joy by the way as we are going thither.