he slothful
and sluggard's desire slays him, because his hands refuse to labour, Prov.
xxi. 25. O! but he finds many difficulties in the way. Though he have
half a wish, or a raw(489) desire after Christ, yet it never comes farther
than a conditional wish. A beggar may wish to be a king. He comes to no
purpose in it and therefore his way is called a hedge of thorns. Whereas
a seeking Christian finds a plain path where he goes, Prov. xv. 19. The
sluggard says, "There is a lion in the way, and a lion in the streets."
He concludes upon the means and duties of religion before ever he try
them, Prov. xxii. 13, Prov. xix. 24. How lazy is he! He will not bring
his hand out of his bosom, when he hath put it in. Thus the lazy and
secure Christian is a brother to a great waster, his desire consumes him.
He hath no more religion than a spunk(490) of desire; and he sits down
with this spark of his own kindling, and the life of religion thrives not
upon his hand, Prov. xviii. 9, 12. His seeking must have violence with it,
Matth. xi. 12. But we may also observe concerning the Christian, that he
is,

3dly. Defined on this side of time as a seeker. In heaven he is an
enjoyer, and he seeks no more; for how can the ox low over his fodder? He
sits down to eat the fruit and sweat of his labour, and well may he
triumphantly say, as the ancient philosopher said, "I have found, I have
found."(491) But here he is a seeker still. Whatever he miss, he is still
a seeker, and whatever he find, he is yet a seeker. He is named not from
his finding, but his seeking, not from his enjoyment or attainment, but
from his endeavour and aim. Though he find righteousness in Jesus, and
remission of sins, yet he is a seeker of grace; though he be justified,
yet he seeks holiness. There are many who would seek no more of God than
pardon of sin. Let him deliver them from hell, and they will trouble God
with no more requests. Doth not some of your own consciences speak, that
ye would seek no more from Christ than to be saved from an ill hour, and
to be found in him; whereas Paul was not content with this, but made an
holy gradation, as we read, Philip iii. 8, &c. He desired to know the
power of Christ's resurrection, and to be made conformable to him by any
means; and now, when he is found in Christ, and justified, he counts not
himself well, or perfect and complete, or to have attained that which he
struggled earnestly for. Would not many be content