That true solace is to be sought in God alone
Whatsoever I am able to desire or to think of for my solace, I look for
it not here, but hereafter. For if I alone had all the solaces of this
world, and were able to enjoy all its delights, it is certain that they
could not endure long. Wherefore, O my soul, thou canst be fully
comforted and perfectly refreshed, only in God, the Comforter of the
poor, and the lifter up of the humble. Wait but a little while, my
soul, wait for the Divine promise, and thou shalt have abundance of all
good things in heaven. If thou longest too inordinately for the things
which are now, thou shalt lose those which are eternal and heavenly.
Let temporal things be in the use, eternal things in the desire. Thou
canst not be satisfied with any temporal good, for thou wast not
created for the enjoyment of these.
2. Although thou hadst all the good things which ever were created, yet
couldst not thou be happy and blessed; all thy blessedness and thy
felicity lieth in God who created all things; not such felicity as
seemeth good to the foolish lover of the world, but such as Christ’s
good and faithful servants wait for, and as the spiritual and pure in
heart sometimes taste, whose conversation is in heaven.(1) All human
solace is empty and short-lived; blessed and true is that solace which
is felt inwardly, springing from the truth. The godly man everywhere
beareth about with him his own Comforter, Jesus, and saith unto Him:
“Be with me, Lord Jesus, always and everywhere. Let it be my comfort to
be able to give up cheerfully all human comfort. And if Thy consolation
fail me, let Thy will and righteous approval be alway with me for the
highest comfort. _For Thou wilt not always be chiding, neither keepest
Thou Thine anger for ever_.”(2)
(1) Philippians iii. 20. (2) Psalm ciii. 9.