A Treatise of Conversion, Chapter 1 · Section 18
SECT. XVIII.
2. THe second pair of affections that shew themselves in this change, are Desire and Aversion. These are so neer a kin to Love and Hatred, that I need to say the less of them. The unconverted mans desires are after the fleshly pleasures which he loveth, of these they think they can never have enough; but cry as the Horsleech, Give, give: when do you hear the covetous man say he hath enough? or the ambitious man say, I would be no higher? Or the sensual man say, my appetite and lust is now satisfied, I would have no more? Their very life is a thirsting after provision for the flesh, Rom. 13. 12, 13. and the fulfilling its desires, Ephes. 2. 3. And sometime God giveth them much of that they do desire for a time, but it is in Judgement, and a curse to them, through their sin, Psalm 78. 29. But as for God, and Christ, and the Spirit, and holiness, to these they have no Appetite, but naturally loath them, and at the best have but cold and heartless wishes after them. Hence it is, that they refuse so many motions for their own good: Move them to spiritual things, and there is somewhat within them that is against the motion, so that they will not hear us, or be perswaded by us. Oh, how backward is an unconverted soul to spiritual good! They will go no further then they are drawn, and they will not be drawn to give up themselves to it. Hence it is, that our Ministerial labors are so much lost. We perswade sick men to their meat, that have no appetites to it: Nay, whose stomacks rise against it and loath it. It goeth against their carnall Natures, against their former customs, against their ease, and profit, and pleasure, and therefore it will not down with them, they cannot away with it, Job 21. 14. We heave at a stone that will stir no further then main force doth move it. Oh had they but desire after Christ and Grace as they have after worldly fleshly vanity, how happy might they be?
But when converting Grace comes, it changeth their desire. God cals to them then effectually by his Word and Spirit. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come and drink of the water of life freely, Isa. 55. 1, 2, 3. As if he should say [What mean you to desire that which will do so little good, and to lay out your labor for that which will not profit you, or save you? Come to me, and take the Grace that I freely offer you, and follow my direction, and I will give you that which is worthy your desires] When God hath once effectually touched the heart with converting Grace, it leaves a secret thirsting after him in the soul. As when he called Peter and the other Apostles, and said unto them, follow me, they presently left all and followed him: Then they cry out with David, My soul thirsteth after thee as the thirsty land, Psalm 143. 6. & 42. 2. & 63. 1. The desire of their soul is to his Name, and to the remembrance of him, Isa. 26. 8. Now they see that excellency in Gods word, and wayes, and Graces, that all things that may be desired, are not to be compared to it, Prov. 8. 11. They are more to be desired then gold, yea then fine Gold, Psalm 19. 10. Before they desired many things, and nothing would satisfie them; now give them but one thing and they will be satisfied to the full, Psalm 27. 4. & 73. 25. Before their desires were onelyonly after vanity; but now, so far as they are renewed, they are onelyonly after good, Prov. 11. 23. And that God that gave them these desires, will fulfill them, Psalm 145. 19. He that caused them to hunger and thirst after Righteousness, will satisfie them, Matth. 5. 6. And he that turned their minds from this world, and gave them to desire after a better countrey, Heb. 11. 16. will give them that Promised Land which they desire.