1 Who hath called us, CHRIST: He only can call home sinners. Luk 19.10. Mat. 9.13. I came to call sinners to repentance; I, not Man, nor Angels. God only can make filios Abrahami, ex lapidibus Jordani: can of stones raise up children to Abraham. He that could turn stones into bread, can turn a stony heart into that mercy to give bread. He that could fetch water from a rock, can draw tears from our flinty hearts. Man may imprint a conceit, God only can work a consent. The Preacher may unfold the mysteries of the Gospel, and effect a knowledge in the brain: but Cathedram habet in coelis qui corda docet; he hath a pulpit in heaven, that preacheth to the conscience. To resign our selves to the truth, here is the finger of God. You will say, it is easy to think; no, we cannot think a good thought of our selves. Thought is free; no, the thought is Gods bond-servant. It is easy to believe: no, forh faith is the fair gift of God. Yet, it is easy to will: no, it is He that worketh in us, both to will and to do, at his good pleasure. Phil. 2.13. Mans will is a fugitive Onesimus, God must call home that runagate, subdue that rebel. Yet when we have begun, it is easy to continue: no, perficit, qui efficit: He that begun a good work in us, will perform it. Phil. 1.6. JESUS is the Founder and the Finisher of our faith, Hebr. 12.2. But we can suffer for him at our pleasure: no, datur pati: it is given to us to suffer for his sake, Phil. 1.29.i Without me ye can do nothing; not parum, but nihil. But in him, and through him all things: I can do all things through him that strengthens me, Phil. 4.13. In our selves we are weak Captives,k in him more than Conquerors. But if ye consent and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land. Esa. 1.19. Yet is it neither of the willer, nor of the runner, but of God that shows mercy. Rom. 9.l With my whole heart have I sought thee: Did he bend his own heart to it? No, but prays, O let me not wander from thy Commandments.m I will run the way of thy precepts, but when? when thou shalt enlarge my heart. My Son, keep ⟨p. 55⟩thy heart: yet it is then Peace of God that keeps the heart in CHRIST JESUS. Gods imperative infers no potential, but an optative: Da quod jubes; Lord, give what thou biddest, and bid what thou wilt. Lex imperat, fides impetrat;
1 Who hath called us, CHRIST: He only can call home sinners. Luk 19.10. Mat. 9.13. I came to call sinners to repentance; I, not Man, nor Angels. God onely can make filios Abrahami, ex lapidibus Iordani: can of stones raise up children to Abraham. He that could turne stones into bread, can turne a stony heart into that mercy to give bread. He that could fetch water from a rocke, can drawe teares from our flinty hearts. Man may imprint a conceit, God onely can worke a consent. The Preacher may unfold the mysteries of the Gospell, and effect a knowledge in the braine: but Cathedram habet in coelis qui corda docet; hee hath a pulpit in heaven, that preacheth to the conscience. To resigne our selves to the truth, here is the finger of God. You will say, it is easie to thinke; no, we cannot thinke a good thought of our selves. Thought is free; no, the thought is Gods bond-servant. It is easie to beleeve: no, forh faith is the faire gift of God. Yet, it is easie to will: no, it is He that worketh in us, both to will and to doe, at his good pleasure. Phil. 2.13. Mans will is a fugitive Onesimus, God must call home that runnagate, subdue that rebell. Yet when we have begun, it is easie to continue: no, perficit, qui efficit: He that begunne a good worke in us, will performe it. Phil. 1.6. IESVS is the Founder and the Finisher of our faith, Hebr. 12.2. But we can suffer for him at our pleasure: no, datur pati: it is given to us to suffer for his sake, Phil. 1.29.i Without me ye can doe nothing; not parum, but nihil. But in him, and through him all things: I can doe all things through him that strengthens me, Phil. 4.13. In our selves wee are weake Captives,k in him more than Conquerors. But if yee consent and obey, you shall eate the good things of the land. Esa. 1.19. Yet is it neither of the willer, nor of the runner, but of God that shewes mercie.
- hPhil. 1.29.
- iJoh. 15.5.Ioh. 15.5.
- kRom. 8.37.
- lPsal. 119.10.
- mVerse 32.
- nPhil. 4.7.
