The essence of all delights and pleasures!''

Back to THE LOVINGNESS OF JESUS 2

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by 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.