Quote by John Howe, A Treatise of Delight
But now, before that new birth take place in the spirit of man, it wants, but knows not what, craves indeterminately (who will shew us any good?) not fixing upon any particular good that is sufficient and finite, and labouring under an ignorance of the infinite, together with a disaffection thereunto. Its wants and cravings are beyond the measure of all finite good; for suppose it to have never so large a share, nay, could it grasp and engross the whole of it, an unsatisfiedness and desire of more would still remain : but that more is somewhat indeterminate and merely imaginary, an infinite nothing, an idol of fancy, a god of its own making. God it must have; but what a one he is, it misapprehends, and, wherein it rightly apprehends him, likes and loves him not, will by no means choose, desire, or take complacency in him. So that an unregenerate soul is, while it is such, necessarily doomed to be miserable. It cannot be happy in any inferior good; and in the supreme, it will not. What the real wants and just cravings of a man's spirit therefore are, is not to be understood by considering it in that state. And if the work of the new creature were perfected in it, it would want and crave no more, but would be satisfied fully, and at perfect rest.
Summary
This quote highlights the inner longing and dissatisfaction of an unregenerate soul. It suggests that before experiencing spiritual rebirth, the soul desires something indeterminately, unable to pinpoint a specific finite good that would satisfy its cravings. It lacks knowledge of the infinite and is indifferent towards it. The soul is always unsatisfied, even if it were to possess all the finite goods, as it is driven by an infinite, imaginary desire. Ultimately, it seeks God but misunderstands Him, failing to choose, desire, or find pleasure in Him. The quote concludes by stating that only through spiritual transformation can the soul be truly content and at peace.
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