A treatise of delighting in God from Psal. xxxvij. 4. Delight thy self also…

2. Supposing the things we desire be those of an inferior kind; Delight in God doth not a little to the satisfying of them also.

2. Supposing the things we desire be those of an inferiour kind; Delight in God doth not a little to the satisfying of them also.

It doth not, as was said, entitle us to the things themselves we desire whatever they be, or how unsuitable soever to us.

It doth not, as was said, intitle us to the things themselves we desire whatever they be, or how unsutable soever to us.

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