The dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in several treatisesThe dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in severall treatises

1. The weakest Faith hath strong desires to close with Christ in the Terms of the Gospel: Is willing to take Christ in the whole latitude and extent of Christ: not only totum Christum: but totum Christi: Christ in all his Offices: not only as a Priest, but as a King; to whom the soul is as willing to yield Subjection, as to have Salvation from him; as desirous to submit to his services, as to enjoy his Privileges; to do duty, as to partake of his bounty; to throw it self at the feet of Christ, with strong desires, though (it may be for the present) but with weak assurance of Mercy from him.

1. The weakest Faith hath strong desires to close with Christ in the Termes of the Gospel: Is willing to take Christ in the whole latitude and extent of Christ: not only totum Christum: but totum Christi: Christ in all his Offices: not only as a Priest, but as a King; to whom the soul is as willing to yeeld Subjection, as to have Salvation from him; as desirous to submit to his services, as to injoy his Priviledges; to do duty, as to partake of his bounty; to throw it self at the feet of Christ, with strong desires, though (it may bee for the present) but with weak assurance of Mercy from him.

Quest. But who doth not thus desire Christ? who is not willing to accept of Christ?

Answ. It is impossible that any Unbelieving man should desire Christ, in the latitude and extent of Christ. He may desire him for Salvation, but not for Sanctification: as a Priest, but not as a King, to rule and govern him; to bring every thought into subjection to himself: for happiness, but not for holiness. Such a one cares but to have a pardon from him: but not purging: Glory, but not Grace. Such a one can say with David thus far — Hide thy face from my sins. But — Create in me a clean heart, There he leaves him. He desires the end of a Christian, but not his beginnings.