they fall asleep, as it were, with it in their mouths ; they are clamorous for it as soon as they are awake. In their very slumbers they not unfrequently shew, how wholly their minds have been occupied with that one object. Give them their favourite gratification, and they care for nothing else : rob them of that, and not all the world can pacify them.
Such are they who have a fulness of earthly comforts. But others, to whom these things have been embittered, or from whom they have been withdrawn, are, like a weaning child, disquieted beyond measure : they are unhappy in themselves ; and they disturb all around them with their peevishness and discontent. Having lost that in which alone they found delight, they can take comfort in nothing else : yea, because of one thing of which they are deprived, they have no enjoy- ment of all the other things that they possess. In vain have they more suitable and substantial blessings offered them; they have no appetite for the provisions of the Gospel ; they refuse that which would infinitely overbalance their loss ; and they pine away in querulous lamentations, when they might be nourished with " angels' food."
Some there are, however, who with David, resemble a weaned child. They are become indifferent to carnal enjoyments. They use with gratitude whatever God has bestowed; but they do not set their hearts upon it, or consider it as essential to their happiness0. They suffer the loss of all earthly things with a holy resignation and composure of mind. Doubtless they have their feelings, like other men : but these feelings are moderated by religion, and brought into subjection to the Divine will p. The more they are bereaved of earthly comforts, the more entirely do they live by faith on Christ, and the more abundantly do they grow in every grace. Afflictions drive them, not from God, but to him : and in the midst of all their bereavements they shew, that they " have meat to eat which the world knows not of," and " joys with which the stranger intermeddleth not."]
Application —
[Let those whose hearts are set upon the world, remember,
how transient and unsatisfying their enjoyments are
Let those ivho are disconsolate on account of their troubles, consider for what gracious ends God has caused them to be afflicted — — — And let those who feel a measure of David's spirit, strive for yet higher attainments, in the assured expec- tation that the more they are weaned from all but God, the more will God communicate to them out of his inexhaustible fulness.]
0 Phil. iv. 12. Heb. xi. 24—26. p 2 Sam. xv. 25, 26.