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Taking the gospel just as we find it, I shall show that all men's desires are to be met in it and in nothing else. If we reject it, whither shall we go for the fruition of oar desires? Take —

I. THE DESIRE OF CONTINUED EXISTENCE. That this is deeply seated in the soul is evident from the horror which annihilation awakens. Where shall we, then, find the evidence that the desire is to be gratified?

1. The senses only inform us that we shall die, and no disembodied spirit appears to contradict it.

2. Reason only speculates upon it as a probability, and those philosophers who most cleverly argued it our disbelieved their own reasonings.

3. But faith looks through the darkness and beholds in Christ "life and immortality brought to light."

II. THE DESIRE OF ACTION. The gospel, and that only —

1. Gives a right direction to the human faculties. Those faculties have acquired a wrong direction which reason, working through the highest civilization, could not correct; but just in proportion as the gospel has prevailed the standard of morality has been elevated.

2. Opens a noble field for their exercise. When the gospel is not known the social duties are but little understood or performed; but Christianity enjoins the doing of good to our fellow-creatures, not only as beings who are to live here, but for ever.

3. Enjoins employments which are fitted to improve man's faculties, and thus render him capable of some vigorous and successful action.

III. THE DESIRE OF KNOWLEDGE. True, man may advance with no other light but the light of nature. But in that department which respects the character of God and man's eternal relations human reason is at best an inadequate instructor. The knowledge derived from the Bible is —

1. Most practical, adapted to influence the affections, and through them the life.

2. Sublime. Its revelations are stamped with moral grandeur — God, creation, the soul, redemption, immortality, etc.

3. For ever progressive. The treasures of the Bible are inexhaustible, and he who walks by it here will walk in the brighter light of heaven hereafter.

IV. THE DESIRE OF THE APPROBATION OF OTHER BEINGS.

1. Wherever the gospel has not existed, malice, hatred, envy, revenge, etc., have held the soul in dominion in spite of all that reason could do to redeem it. But the gospel brings into exercise the spirit of forgiveness and benevolence, and makes man a brother, instead of an enemy, to his fellowman.

2. But this desire has respect to the favourable regard of God, and is met

(1)  By the gospel proclamation of forgiveness;

(2)  The impartation of a character which renders man the object of Divine complacency.

V. THE DESIRE FOR SOCIETY. There is an impression abroad that Christianity is unfriendly to social enjoyment. But monkery is a perversion of Christianity. Christianity is in its very nature social, for —

1. A large part of its duties are social.

2. Its tendency is to refine and exalt the social affections.

3. It has established a society — the Church.

4. It meets this desire through every period of existence.Conclusion:

1. Does not this furnish a conclusive argument for the Divinity of the gospel?

2. How malignant the spirit of infidelity.

(1)  Even on the theory that Christianity is false, it can supply nothing in its place.

(2)  But on the theory that Christianity is true, it stands chargeable with opposing man's best interests in time and eternity.

3. How blessed the employment of extending the gospel!

(W. B. Sprague, D. D.)

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KJV: Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

WEB: Jesus said therefore to the twelve, "You don't also want to go away, do you?"