The essence of all delights and pleasures!

(John Flavel)

Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures — the very soul and substance of them.

As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting place of all the waters in the world; so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet.

Jesus is altogether lovely- his excellencies are pure and unmixed. He is a sea of sweetness without one drop of gall.

Away with those empty nothings, away with this vain deceitful world, which deserves not the thousandth part of the love you give it. Let all stand aside and give way to Christ.

O if only you knew his worth and excellency, what he is in himself, what he has done for you, and deserved from you; you would need no arguments to persuade you to love him!

O how many pour out streams of love and delight upon the vain and empty created thing; while no arguments can draw forth one drop of love from their stubborn and unbelieving hearts to Jesus Christ!

Let us all be humbled for the corruption of our hearts that are so eager in their affections for vanities and trifles, and so hard to be persuaded to love Christ, who is altogether lovely.