But only now let me leave this with you about it, Take heed of immoderate desires for any worldly thing: To 1say, I must, and I will, and I will have it; when ever you find your hearts strongly rising to a thing that you must needs have, then be afraid, be afraid of having it, as much as you were of having any thing in your lives; no man or woman can have any comfort in any thing as coming from Gods Love until they can first quiet their hearts, and be willing to be at Gods dispose, to be willing to be without it, that's one main sign of giving in Gods Anger, or in Love: When as a man or woman finds an eager desire after a thing, Oh it is very suitable to such and such a purpose; yea, but now if I can go alone and consider that God is wiser than I, and knows what's best for me; if I can labour to work my heart to this, Lord, if it be good for me, then I desire it; but if thou seest it would not be good, then Lord, here I am, do with me what seems good in thine eyes, as David did: Surely nature could not but work strongly, yet saith David, If the Lord hath any pleasure in me, he will bring me again 2to this City &c. but if he shall say, I have no pleasure in thee, lo, here I am, let him do what seemeth him good in his eyes. Yea, this was a thing indeed, and no question ⟨p. 538⟩this temper of Davids heart in his affliction was the thing that did so much help him in enlargement to praise God, when he returned to the Ark and City again: Had David kept a stir, and fretting, and vexing, and what, must I go from the City of Jerusalem! and how doth God deal with me! and I am resolved though it cost me my life I will return to Jerusalem and take possession of the City, whatsoever comes of it; perhaps David might have gotten thither, but there would not have been so much love of God in it, as when he could give up himself to Gods dispose. And so if this people could have said thus, It's true Lord, thou art our King, but we are despised because we are governed by men of such 3mean quality, and the truth is, God had promised them a King also, and therefore it was not such an evil thing to desire a King, but so eagerly, they would have him now, if they had been but quiet, and said, Lord, thou tellest us in thy Word of a King that we shall have, Lord, fulfil this thy Word, and for the present we are content to submit to thee, as long as thou thinkest fit;
But only now let me leave this with you about it, Take heed of immoderate desires for any worldly thing: To 1say, I must, and I will, and I will have it; when ever you find your hearts strongly rising to a thing that you must needs have, then be afraid, be afraid of having it, as much as you were of having any thing in your lives; no man or woman can have any comfort in anie thing as coming from Gods Love until they can first quiet their hearts, and be willing to be at Gods dispose, to be willing to be without it, that's one main sign of giving in Gods Anger, or in Love: When as a man or woman finds an eager desire after a thing, Oh it is verie sutable to such and such a purpose; yea, but now if I can go alone and consider that God is wiser than I, and knows what's best for me; if I can labor to work my heart to this, Lord, if it be good for me, then I desire it; but if thou seest it would not be good, then Lord, here I am, do with me what seems good in thine eyes, as David did: Surely nature could not but work strongly, yet saith David, If the Lord hath any pleasure in me, he will bring me again 2to this City &c. but if he shall say, I have no pleasure in thee, lo, here I am, let him do what seemeth him good in his eyes. Yea, this was a thing indeed, and no question ⟨p. 538⟩this temper of Davids heart in his affliction was the thing that did so much help him in enlargement to praise God, when he returned to the Ark and Citie again: Had David kept a stir, and fretting, and vexing, and what, must I go from the Citie of Jerusalem! and how doth God deal with me! and I am resolved though it cost me my life I will return to Jerusalem and take possession of the Citie, whatsoever comes of it; perhaps David might have gotten thither, but there would not have been so much love of God in it, as when he could give up himself to Gods dispose. And so if this people could have said thus, It's true Lord, thou art our King, but we are despised because we are governed by men of such 3mean qualitie, and the truth is, God had promised them a King also, and therefore it was not such an evil thing to desire a King, but so eagerly, they would have him now, if they had been but quiet, and said, Lord, thou tellest us in thy Word of a King that we shall have, Lord, fulfil this thy Word, and for the present we are content to submit to thee, as long as thou thinkest fit;
- 1Take heed of immoderate desires.
- 22 Sam. 15. 25, 26.
- 3Note.
