The strongest appetite
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after this. To understand the expression fully, we should observe, first, that hunger and thirst are the strongest of all our bodily appetites. In the same way this hunger in the soul, this thirst after the image of God, is the strongest of all our spiritual appetites, once it is awakened in the heart. Yes, it swallows up all the rest in that one great desire, to be renewed after the likeness of him who created us (Colossians 3:10). We should observe, second, that from the time we begin to hunger and thirst, those appetites do not cease, but grow more and more craving and insistent, until we either eat and drink, or die. And even so, from the time we begin to hunger and thirst after the whole mind which was in Christ, these spiritual appetites do not cease, but cry after their food with more and more urgency. Nor can they possibly cease before they are satisfied, while any spiritual life remains. We may observe, third, that hunger and thirst are satisfied with nothing but food and drink. If you gave a hungry person all the world besides, all the elegance of clothing, all the trappings of state, all the treasure on earth, yes, thousands in gold and silver, if you paid him ever so much honor, he would not regard it. All these things are then of no account to him. He would still say, These are not the things I want. Give me food, or else I die. The very same is the case with every soul that truly hungers and thirsts after righteousness. He can find no comfort in anything but this. He can be satisfied with nothing else. Whatever else you offer, it is lightly esteemed. Whether it is riches, or honor, or pleasure, he still says, This is not the thing I want. Give me love, or else I die.
1771 text
3. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after this: in order fully to understand which expression, we should observe, first, That hunger and thirst are the strongest of all our bodily appetites. In like manner this hunger in the soul, this thirst after the image of God, is the strongest of all our spiritual appetites, when it is once awakened in the heart: yea, it swallows up all the rest in that one great desire, to be renewed after the likeness of him that created us. We should, secondly, observe, That from the time we begin to hunger and thirst, those appetites do not cease, but are more and more craving and importunate, ’till we either eat and drink or die. And even so, from the time that we begin to hunger and thirst after the whole mind which was in Christ, these spiritual appetites do not cease, but cry after their food with more and more importunity. Nor can they possibly cease, before they are satisfied, while there is any spiritual life remaining. We may, thirdly, observe, That hunger and thirst are satisfied with nothing but meat and drink. If you would give to him that is hungry all the world beside, all the elegance of apparel, all the trappings of state, all the treasure upon earth, yea thousands of gold and silver: if you would pay him ever so much honour, he regards it not; all these things are then of no account with him. He would still say, These are not the things I want: give me food, or else I die. The very same is the case with every soul that truly hungers and thirsts after righteousness. He can find no comfort in any thing but this; he can be satisfied with nothing else. Whatever you offer besides, it is lightly esteemed; whether it be riches, or honour, or pleasure, he still says, this is not the thing which I want. Give me love or else I die!
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 22 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:5-7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.