More from Brainerd

"When I really enjoy God I feel my desires of him the more insatiable, and my thirstings after holiness the more unquenchable; and the Lord will not allow me to feel as though I were fully supplied and satisfied, but keeps me still reaching forward. I feel barren and empty, as though I could not live with more of God; I feel ashamed and guilty before him. I see that 'the law is spiritual, but I am carnal.' I do not, I cannot live to God. O for holiness! O for more of God in my soul! O this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God; the language of it is, 'Then shall I be satisfied, when I awake in God's likeness,' but never, never before: and consequently, I am engaged to 'press toward the mark,' day by day. O that I may feel this continual hunger, and not be retarded, but rather animated, by every cluster from Canaan, to reach forward in that narrow way for the full enjoyment and possession of the heavenly inheritance! O that I may never loiter on my heavenly journey!"

For more on Brainerd, check out Piper's biography of him:

http://www.desiringgod.org/library/biographies/90brainerd.html

I have the MP3 of this biography, as well. If you want it, you can either get me to email it to a Gmail account or ask me to burn it for you someday.

And, word to the wise, all the works of Edwards (including Brainerd's diary), Owen, and the other giants are available for free at CCEL (see the link to the right).

Peace,
Sam