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Meditation LXXXVIII.

ON DIVIDING THE SPOIL.

In all ages of the world, so great has the joy of men been on this occasion, that it has become proverbial, "as men rejoice who divide the spoil," and no wonder. To come off in safety from the field of battle, while not only foes—but fellow-soldiers fell around them; and to come off victorious, and find themselves possessed of goods they never labored for, of riches they never expected—must swell their bosom with transport and joy. And this joy of theirs in the severest manner reprimands me for not being filled with more joy in believing, for not thinking more of him who is more "glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey."

Now, though the metropolis of this kingdom were robbed of all its wealth, and laid in one heap; and, to swell the wonderful pile, though all the stores of the silken Indies, the gold of Ophir, and the precious stones of every land, were added; yes, to make the collection perfect in its kind, though all that ever had a place in the museum of the philosopher, the cabinet of the curious, or the treasuries of kings, were amassed together, until the heap rose into a hill, or swelled into a mountain, from which the slaves might gather crowns and scepters, the poor treasure in abundance, and the naked shine in silks and cloth of gold—yet Christ is infinitely more excellent than this mountain of prey, and that on a double account.

1. Nothing here is for the soul, all is for the body.

2. All these things must be torn from the possessor in the hour of death, and cannot attend him to another world.

But Christ satisfies all desires, replenishes the whole soul, makes happy in time, and happy to eternity, and is a portion every way commensurate to the unbounded wishes, and immortal nature of the soul. Why should the saints less rejoice than these men who divide the spoil, when in a little while, the King himself in person shall distribute crowns and thrones, kingdoms and dominions—to every saint above?

This earthly spoil, if it enriches the conquerors, impoverishes the conquered, and perhaps has cost many of them their lives. But Christ may, in all his offices, relations, fullness, and glory, be the entire possession of every particular child of adoption, without diminution or injury to any of their happy fellow-heirs.

Some who engaged the enemy fell down slain, and are now where a whole world of these trifles, which afford survivors so much joy, would not be accounted worthy of a wish or a passing glance. Henceforth, let me rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasures, and esteem the word of your mouth better than thousands of gold and silver. I shall never be robbed of the heavenly treasure, which scatters my fears, dispels my despondencies, enriches my eternity, and ravishes my whole soul!

Meditation LXXXIX.

Back to Meditations 61 to 90