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

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.¹

Answ. It is impossible that any Unbeleeving man should desire Christ, in the latitude and extent of Christ. Hee 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 mee a clean heart, There hee leaves him. Hee desires the end of a Christian, but not his beginnings.¹

1. 1Extrem• Christianorum desiderat, non exordia.

2. The desires of a wicked man, of an Unbelieving man after Christ, they are transient, not permanent desires: which may be in times of trouble, in a storm; cares not if he have him as a shelter, under some rack of conscience, when he lies on his sick-bed. But these continue not. No sooner the storm is blown over, but the desire is gone. Or in a passion, when he is in a good mood, as Balaam desired to dye the death of the Righteous: so he, after a Sermon, &c.