But first, It moderates these desires, makes §1them sober, prudent, and rational, and capable of being satisfied with what is fit for us. He that is much habituated to delight in God is not apt to foolish extravagant desires. This is the sense of such a one, Not my will Lord, but thine be done. He may desire the same thing that others do, yet not with the same peremptory and precipitant desire, but with a desire tempered ⟨p. 360⟩with submission, and with a reserved deference of the matter to the Divine pleasure: This thing, Lord, I desire if thou see good. So that the general object of such a ones desire is only that which in the divine estimate is fit and good for him. And though he desire this or that particular thing, yet not as it is this thing, but as supposing it possible this thing may be judged fit for him by the supreme Wisdom, whereto he hath referred the matter. But if it shall be judged otherwise; This thing falls without the compass of the general object of his desire, and in just construction he desires it not. For he desires it not otherwise than on that condition that God see it meet for him; And not longer than till he find he does not. In which case the sobriety and submissiveness of his former desire, appears in his cheerful patient want of the thing which he finds God hath thought fit to deny him. So that even then, his desire is satisfied, that is, It doth not (as often it is with a carnal heart) turn, being crossed, into rage and madness; But into a complacential peace, and rest in the Divine will. He is satisfied in what God hath thought fit to do. Yea the very thing is done which he would have done: God hath given him his hearts desire. For let the question be put to such a person, Do you desire such a thing though God judg it will be hurtful to you or unfit for you? And no doubt he will, not in faint Words that ⟨p. 361⟩have no sense under them (as almost any other man would) but from his very heart and Soul say, No. And if he deliberate the matter of his own accord, or by any ones enquiry be occasioned to do so, This will be found the sense of his heart, (though his desire hath inclined to this or that thing in particular): And this would be his Prayer in such a case, Lord, If thy wisdom, which is infinitely more than mine, see this thing not fit, cross me, deny me in this desire of mine.
But first, It moderates these desires, makes §1them sober, prudent, and rational, and capable of being satisfied with what is fit for us. He that is much habituated to delight in God is not apt to foolish extravagant desires. This is the sence of such a one, Not my will Lord, but thine be done. He may desire the same thing that others do, yet not with the same peremptory and precipitant desire, but with a desire tempered ⟨p. 360⟩with submission, and with a reserved deference of the matter to the Divine pleasure: This thing, Lord, I desire if thou see good. So that the general object of such a ones desire is only that which in the divine estimate is fit and good for him. And though he desire this or that particular thing, yet not as it is this thing, but as supposing it possible this thing may be judged fit for him by the supream Wisdom, whereto he hath refer'd the matter. But if it shall be judged otherwise; This thing falls without the compass of the general object of his desire, and in just construction he desires it not. For he desires it not otherwise than on that condition that God see it meet for him; And not longer than till he find he does not. In which case the sobriety and submissiveness of his former desire, appears in his cheerful patient want of the thing which he finds God hath thought fit to deny him. So that even then, his desire is satisfied, that is, It doth not (as often it is with a carnal heart) turn, being crost, into rage and madness; But into a complacential peace, and rest in the Divine will. He is satisfied in what God hath thought fit to do. Yea the very thing is done which he would have done: God hath given him his hearts desire. For let the question be put to such a person, Do you desire such a thing though God judg it will be hurtful to you or unfit for you? And no doubt he will, not in faint Words that ⟨p. 361⟩have no sence under them (as almost any other man would) but from his very heart and Soul say, No. And if he deliberate the matter of his own accord, or by any ones enquiry be occasion'd to do so, This will be found the sence of his heart, (though his desire hath inclin'd to this or that thing in particular): And this would be his Prayer in such a case, Lord, If thy wisdom, which is infinitely more than mine, see this thing not fit, cross me, deny me in this desire of mine.
