Lust or desire is twofold, natural and supernatural. Natural is that, whose beginning and object is in nature, that is, which ariseth of the natural will of man; and affecteth such things as are thought to be good according to the light of nature. And this kind of desire hath his degrees, yet so as they are all limited within the compass of nature. Some desire riches, honours, pleasures, some learning and knowledge: because it is the light and perfection of the mind: some go further and seek after the virtues of justice, temperance, liberality, &c. and thus many heathen men have excelled. Some again desire true happiness, as Balaam did, who wished to die the death of the righteous: because it is the property of nature to seek the preservation of it self. But here nature stays it self: for where the mind reveals not, the will affects not. Supernatural desires are such as both for their beginning and object, are above nature, for their beginning is from the holy Ghost, and the object or matter about which they are conversant, are things divine and spiritual, which concern the kingdom of heaven: and of this kind are the desires of which I speak in this place. Again, that we may not be deceived in our desires, but may the better discern them from flittering & fleeting motions, I add three restraints. First of all, the desire of reconciliation, the desire to believe, or the desire to repent, &c. must be constant and have continuance, otherwise it may justly be suspected. Secondly, it must be earnest and serious, though not always, yet at sometimes, that we may be able to say with David, My soul desireth after thee, O Lord, as the thirsty land. And, as the heart brayeth after the rivers of water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God: my soul thirsteth for God, even the living god. Thirdly, it must be in a touched heart: for when a man is touched in conscience, the heart is cast down, and (as much as it can) it withdraws it self from God. For this cause, if then there be any spiritual motions whereby the heart is lift up unto God, they are without doubt from the spirit of God. Thus then I avouch, that the desire of reconciliation with God in Christ, is reconciliation it self: the desire to believe, is faith indeed, and the desire to repent, repentance it self. But mark how:
LVst or desire is twofold, naturall and supernaturall. Naturall is that, whose beginning and obiect is in nature, that is, which ariseth of the naturall will of man; and anecteth such things as are thought to be good according to the light of nature. And this kind of desire hath his degrees, yet so as they are all limited within the compasse of nature. Some desire riches, honours, pleasures, some learning and knowledge: because it is the light and perfection of the minde: some goe further and seeke after the vertues of iustice, temperance, liberalitie, &c. and thus many heathen men haue excelled. Some againe desire true happinesse, as Balaam did, who wished to die the death of the righteous: because it is the propertie of nature to seeke the preseruation of it selfe. But here nature staies it selfe: for where the minde reueales not, the will affects not. Supernaturall desires are such as both for their beginning and obiect, are aboue nature, for their beginning is from the holy Ghost, and the obiect or matter about which they are conuersant, are things diuine and spirituall, which concerne the kingdome of heauen: and of this kind are the desires of which I speake in this place. Againe, that we may not be deceiued in our desires, but may the better discerne them from flittering & fleeting motions, I adde three restraints. First of all, the desire of reconciliation, the desire to beleeue, or the desire to repent, &c. must be constant and haue continuance, otherwise it may iustly be suspected. Secondly, it must be earnest and serious, though not alwaies, yet at sometimes, that we may be able to say with Dauid, My soule desireth after thee, O Lord, as the thirstie lād. And, as the heart braieth after the riuers of water, so panteth my soule after thee, O God: my soule thirsteth for God, euen the liuing god. Thirdly, it must be in a touched heart: for when a man is touched in conscience, the heart is cast down, and (as much as it can) it withdrawes it selfe from God. For this cause, if then there be any spirituall motions whereby the heart is lift vp vnto God, they are without doubt from the spirit of God. Thus then I auouch, that the desire of reconciliation with God in Christ, is reconciliation it selfe: the desire to beleeue, is faith indeede, and the desire to repent, repentance it selfe. But marke how:
