There is a restless, a boundless desire in the mind of
man for something which this world in all its glory is unable to bestow.
This immortal appetite, this living desire, blinded mortals seek to
gratify—some with honor, others with pleasure, some with riches, others with
empire and glory. And need we therefore be surprised that they are never
satisfied? Though I could trace my pedigree through illustrious
heroes, and renowned kings, back to the first foundation of kingdoms, this
would not furnish my soul with all it would desire. Though I had the
knowledge of all educated men summed up in myself, so that the wisest
philosophers might come and learn at my feet, still my desire would have its
void to fill. Though I had all magnificent titles, honorary epithets,
aggrandizing distinctions, and appellations of renown, even these
would not fill the extensive blank. Though I had the uncontrolled
dominion of the whole universe devolved on me, so that my name were
revered in every nation, statues set up to me in all lands, and my fame and
glory echoed through every kingdom, still would my desires be making new
demands. Though Arabia, as my possession, should present me all her fragrant
spices, the Indies, as my inheritance, amass for me all their riches, and
all kingdoms, as tributary, send me their wares; though the earth should
burst open all her silver veins and golden mines to enrich my treasures;
though my throne were of one pearl, and my crown of one diamond; though my
guards were kings, my menial servants princes, and my immediate subjects
nobles; though the daily guests of my table were thousands and ten thousands
of honorable personages; and though, for the entertainment of my table, my
flocks should cover every hill, my herds range over every flowery valley,
and the fowls of every wing alight around my palace, while the fish of every
fin came, when needed, spontaneously ashore; though the fountains should
flow with oil, the rivers stream with wine, and the forests drop honey—yet
my heart would not say, 'It is enough!'
Though perpetual summer should shine on the place of my
habitation, and storms and tempests stand at a distance from my abode;
though, according to the philosopher's conceits, the worlds on the other
side the sun should bow to my scepter, though the sparkling stars, the
glories of the higher skies, which rise sphere above sphere innumerable,
were added to my inheritance; though I had the faculties of an angel, and
the insight of a seraph; there would still be something lacking, without
which I could not be happy. Though my health were never attacked by
sickness—but my family flourishing as the blooming flowers, my offspring
numerous as the piles of grass that clothe the verdant plain, and never
lessened by death; and though in this happiness I should multiply my days as
the grains of sand; yet my desires would then be as far from being
satisfied, as when I began to enjoy this shadowy, this imaginary all.
Where, then, is this all-sufficient plenitude to be
found? or what is it that will satiate my immense desires? A triune God
reconciled to me in his own Son, and conveying himself to me, in the
infinite plenitude of his spiritual riches; and the eternal portion of my
immortal soul.
All the gathered parts of creation—knowledge, titles,
honor, riches, renown, attendants, dependants, family, friends, dominion,
health, longevity, and every other excellence—are but like a drop to my
parched soul, of which I could swallow many, and yet be altogether faint
beneath the scorching beam. But Christ is an ocean of overflowing fullness!
I stand on this shore, and am astonished! I look, and in its boundless
extension lose myself! I possess, and am replenished—so that I can desire no
more. What a divine plenitude is this divine One! All things without Christ
cannot give satisfaction; for truly without Christ all things are
nothing—but, with him what seems next to nothing is more and better than the
worldling's all things! Material things, however excellent, do not suit; and
cannot satisfy the immaterial and immortal soul.
But in Christ there is something that satiates,
refreshes, and enraptures the believing soul, even when my prospect is
towards that tremendous day, when nature shall be set on flames; or further
still, towards eternity, where the creature dares not present itself as a
proper portion for the soul. "In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily." My desires are complete in him. I can go no further, I can wish no
more than he has. Then, for the present, I am happier than the happiest
worldling, having a heaven in possession! While a heaven of rapture and
delight, floods of ecstasy and bliss, are in reserve for me!