One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

I. All desire it, Christians, Pagans, all agree in this. When Paul was dealing with the Heathens, he urgeth two notions wherein God might be taken up: That of a first Cause, Acts 14. 16, 17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness: And a chief Good, Acts 17. 27. As in the one place there must be a cause of showers of rain, and fruitful seasons; so in the other, there must be an universal Good, or else the inclinations of nature were in vain. Among Christians, the good and bad, that do so seldom agree in any thing, yet agree in this, every man would be happy and not miserable. Psal. 4. 6. There be many that say, who will show us any good? Good, good is the cry of the world; it is intended ⟨p. 2⟩in the very nature of desire; for every thing that is desired, is desired as good (sub ratione boni). As God implanted in us affections of aversation to avoid what is evil; so affections of choice and pursuit, to follow after what is good. Well then, out of a principle of self-love, all would be happy; they would have good, and they would have it for ever. Inanimate creatures are, by the guidance and direction of Providence, carried to the place of their perfection; the brute Beasts seek the preservation and perfection of that life which they have; so do all men hunt about for contentment and satisfaction. To ask whether men would be happy or no, is to ask whether they love themselves yea or no; but whether Holy, is another thing.

I. All desire it, Christians, Pagans, all agree in this. When Paul was dealing with the Heathens, he urgeth two notions wherein God might be taken up: That of a first Cause, Acts 14. 16, 17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness: And a chief Good, Acts 17. 27