The Showman's Jest

‘■^Austin s’beaketh of a jester who boasted that at the 7iextfair he would undertake to show everyone what they did desire; and when there was a great concourse and expectation, he told them, ‘Hoc omnes vultis, vili emere, et caro vendere,’ — You all desire to buy cheap and sell dear. Another showman, on like occasion, said, ‘Ye all desire to be praised But Austin saith rightly, these were but foolish answers, because many good men desire neither, the one being agaiftst justice, and the other agaist sincerity; but, saith he, ‘Si dixisset, omnes beati esse vultis, If he had said, — ye all desire to be happy, he had said right. Every one may fnd this dispositio?t in his ow7i heart, every man desireth happiness No doubt this is true, and it is equally true that the notion of happiness is as varied as the wish for it is universal. What is my view of happiness? This is a question of the highest importance; for as I am sure to seek after that which I desire, and am sure to desire that which I conceive to be happiness, it is clear that my conception of happiness will largely regulate my whole course of life. Remember this, O my soul, and take good heed that thou seek not happiness apart from holiness, nor rest apart from Jesus, nor pleasure apart from pleasing God.

Lord, teach men that thou art their bliss, and then draw them to seek after thee with their whole hearts.