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promotion of the soul to the good things discovered ; so it supposeth a choice of good things.
And choice supposeth an esteem of the things before we choose them ; and that supposeth a dehberate judging that works an esteem. So that it was no hasty, sudden thing this desire ; but it rose from the sanctified judgment of David, that bred a holy esteem of these excellent things ; the means of salvation, having the Spirit of God accompanying of them, con- taining such excellent comforts as they do. I say this desire supposes a right judgment, and thence an esteem ; thence a choice upon all, choosing these things above all other contentments and things in the world besides. For at this time he wanted in his family the comfort of his vrife and house, &c. Tush, what do I regard these things ? If I could enjoy the sweet, and strong, and comfortable presence of God in his ordinances, other things I could bear weU enough, the want of house, and wife and children, the pleasm'es and contentments of my country. Therefore, * One thing have I desired.' It was a desire out of a high esteem and choice of that one thing he speaks of.
The point of doctrine that I will observe in brief, because I hasten to the main thing, is this,
That the Spirit of God in the hearts of his children is effectxial in stirring vp holy desires.
There is nothing that characteriseth and sets a stamp upon a Christian so much as desires. All other things may be counterfeit. Words and actions may be counterfeit, but the desires and affections cannot, because they are the immediate issues and productions of the soul ; they are that that comes immediately from the soul, as fire cannot be counterfeit. A man may ask his desires what he is ? According to the pulse of the desires, so is the temper of the man. Desires are better than actions a great deal ; for a man may do a good action, that he doth not love, and he may abstain from an ill action, that he hates not. But God is a Spirit, and looks to the spirit especially. It is a good character of a Christian, that his desire, for the most part, is to good ; the tenor and sway and bent of his desire is to good. ' One thing have I desired.' The Spirit of God is efteetual in stir- ring up these desires.
Quest. But how shall we know that these desires are the chief things to distinguish an hypocrite fr'om a true Christian, and whether they be true or no ?
A)is. To go no farther than the text : desires are holy and spiritual.
If they be about holy and spiritual things. ' One thing have I desired,' saith David. What was that ? To be rich and great in the world, and to be revenged on my enemies ? No, no ; that is not the matter. I have many enemies ; God will take a com-se that they shall fall. That that I desire, is to have nearer communion with God ; I desire to enjoy the ordi- nances of God. So his desire it was set on spiritual objects, and that argued it was a holy desire.
2. And then again, his desire. It was a fervent desire, as he saith, ' One thmg have I desired, and that will I seek after.' It was not a blaze or flash, that was soon in and soon out. It was not a mere velleity, a kind of inefficacious desire. Fervency shewed that his desire was sound. He would not be quieted without the thing accomplished.
3. And then constancy, when a man will not be taken off. There is not the wickedest man in the world, but he hath good flashes, good offers, and desires sometimes. 'Lord, have mercy upon me,' &c. He hath good
220 A'BEEATHING AFTER GOD.
ejaculations sometimes. Ay, but -what is the bent and sway of his desires ? This was David's constant desire. As it was about spiritual, and was a feiTent and eager desire, that he would not be quieted, so it was constant. That that is natural is constant, and that that is supematurally natural. That that is natural in spiritual things, it is constant ; nature is constant. For how doth nature differ from art ? Artificial things are for a time. Teach a creature beyond his nature, he will shew his naturals. So let an hypocrite act a part, if it be not his nature, he will soon turn to his naturals, and shew that he is an hypocrite again. Constancy and perpetuity in good things, a tenor of good desires, shew that the heart is good, because it is constant.
4. And then again, this desu'e here, of David, it was kindled /rom the love of God, and not out of base ends. Holy desires are kindled in the soul from the love of God ; for what saith he here ? ' One thing have I desired.' What was that ? ' To dwell in the house of the Lord.' AVhat to do ? ' To behold the beauty of God ;' to see God in his excellency and beauty and worthiness. All his desire was from this, that his soul was enamoured with the beauty of God's house. The love of God stirred up this blessed desire in the prophet. Therefore, it was a holy and spiritual desire.