The Christian in Complete Armour

A third sort are content to have it by Christ, but their desires are so impotent and listless, that they put them upon no vigorous use of means to obtain him, and so (like the sluggard) they starve, because they will not pull their hands out of their bosom of sloth to reach their food that is before them: for the world they have metal enough, and too much, they trudge far and near for that, and when they have run themselves out of breath, can stand and pant after the dust of the earth, as the Prophet phraseth it, Amos 2.7. But for Christ and obtaining interest in him, O how key-cold are they! there is a kind of cramp invades all the powers of their souls when they should pray, hear, examine their hearts, draw out their affections in hungrings and thirstings after his grace and Spirit. 'Tis strange to see how they even now went full sop to the world, are suddenly becalmed, not a breath of wind stirring to any purpose in their souls after these things, and is it any wonder that Christ and Heaven should be denied to them that have no more mind to them? Lastly, some have zeal enough to have Christ & Heaven, but it is when the Master of the house is risen, and hath shut to the door, and truly then they may stand long enough rapping, before any come to let them in. There is no Gospel preached in another world; but as for thee poor soul, who art persuaded to renounce thy lusts, throw away the conceit of thy own righteousness, that thou mayest run with more speed to Christ, and art so possest with the excellency of Christ, thy own present need of him, and salvation by him, that thou pantest after him more then life it self; In Gods Name go on and speed, be of good comfort, he calls thee by name to come unto him, that thou mayest have rest for thy soul. There is an office in the ⟨p. 325⟩Word, where thou mayest have thy soul and its eternal happiness ensured to thee: Those that come to him, as he will himself in no wise cast away, so not suffer any other to pluck them away. This day (saith Christ to Zaccheus) salvation is come to thy house, Luke 19.9. Salvation comes to thee (poor soul) that openest thy heart to receive Christ, thou hast eternal life already, as sure as if thou wert a glorified Saint, now walking in that heavenly City.

A third sort are content to have it by Christ, but their desires are so impotent and listlesse, that they put them upon no vigourous use of means to obtain him, and so (like the sluggard) they starve, because they will not pull their hands out of their bosome of sloth to reach their food that is before them: for the world they have mettal enough, and too much, they trudge far and near for that, and when they have run themselves out of breath, can stand and pant after the dust of the earth, as the Prophet phraseth it,