Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

Secondly, Simon Magus thought, that it was in the power of man to give the Spirit: Therefore he asked Peter, what he should give for the Spirit: and is not your sin the ¹same? do not many men think that it is in the power of men to give the spirit, when all the time of their life they will neglect the calling of the Spirit, but in some great affliction, that is when they lie upon their death bed, then they will send for the Minister, but not till then, as if it were in his power to give the spirit; Oh sir what shall I do to be saved? can you tell me of any hope of salvation, and the like?

1. 12.

Thirdly, Simon Magus desired the spirit to a wrong end, namely for his own advantage, that upon whom soever he should lay his hands, They might receive the holy Ghost. ¹And do not men do the like now, They desire to have the spirit, and they could wish with all their hearts that they had him, but yet not to a right end. That is for Gods glory: but for some carnal end of their own. That you may be reputed thus and thus, but not to any other end: for know that a man may desire grace, but if the aim of his desire be for his own end, the desire is sin, the same that Simon Magus his was. Therefore I beseech you not to defer, put not off the opportunity, and remember what the Lord saith in Hebr. 3. To day if you will hear my voice harden not your hearts. That is, this is ²the day, now have you the opportunity, the candle is in your hands, and you may light your souls by it, the word is near you, well then light your candles by it: you may now light them whilst the fire is here, but if you will ⟨p. 117⟩