Give diligence. This exhortation, presupposeth no proper strength of our own to do this; for it is Gods work in us. Augustine says, Sometimes I would have done this or that good thing; and I had will, but I wanted power: and again I had power, but then I wanted will: either voluntas or facultas were missing. Will and Power, like the Sun and Clouds, would fain meet: the Clouds strive to come to the Sun, but they are too weak and soluble, and melting: the Sun would embrace the clouds, and call them near to himself; but then his beams are so hot, that they disperse them: these two could never meet till they were brought together by the wind. So our Will to goodness, and our Power of performance, cannot meet, till they be brought together by the Spirit, that holy Wind which blows where it listeth. 1The wheel runs round, not because it is made round, but because it is moved round. In the Commandment, perceive what thou oughtest to have: in Sin, perceive what thou hast not: in faith and prayer, perceive where it is to be had which thou desirest, August. Psal. 119.32. I will run the way of thy Precepts, when thou hast set my heart at liberty. By nature our feet are tied with the fetters of corruption, we cannot run. Wilt thou run with thy feet, before thou have eyes? Or with thy eyes and feet, without thy heart? Or with thy heart, before God hath freed it? Canst thou run the way, without the way, which is Jesus Christ? We know whither our Diligence must run for help: entreat Christ to entreat his Father: for he is delighted with his prayer, and requires it of him. Postula à me, Psal. 2.8. Desire of me, and I will give thee. It was but hyperbolical in Trajan, it is true in our God: Citius esse desinit, quàm benefacere: He can as soon cease to be, as to be good to his. Gods hand was never shut from giving, if mans mouth be not shut from asking. Misery is the best orator for mercy:2 God loves to be solicited; Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee. He that inviteth all to come in mercy, will receive all that do come in justice. Yet cannot our petitionary Diligence deserve this: it is obtained not Prece, sed Pretio; by the precious blood and merits of Christ.
Give diligence. This exhortation, presupposeth no proper strength of our owne to doe this; for it is Gods worke in us. Augustine sayes, Sometimes I would have done this or that good thing; and I had will, but I wanted power: and againe I had power, but then I wanted will: either voluntas or facultas were missing. Will and Power, like the Sunne and Clouds, would faine meet: the Clouds strive to come to the Sunne, but they are too weake and soluble, and melting: the Sunne would embrace the clouds, and call them neere to himselfe; but then his beames are so hot, that they disperse them: these two could never meet till they were brought together by the wind. So our Will to goodnesse, and our Power of performance, cannot meet, till they be brought together by the Spirit, that holy Wind which blowes where it listeth. 1The wheele runnes round, not because it is made round, but because it is moved round. In the Commandement, perceive what thou oughtest to have: in Sinne, perceive what thou hast not: in faith and prayer, perceive where it is to be had which thou desirest, August. Psal. 119.32. I will runne the way of thy Precepts, when thou hast set my heart at libertie. By nature our feet are tyed with the fetters of corruption, we cannot runne. Wilt thou runne with thy feet, before thou have eyes? Or with thy eyes and feet, without thy heart? Or with thy heart, before God hath freed it? Canst thou runne the way, without the way, which is Iesus Christ? We know whither our Diligence must runne for helpe: intreat Christ to intreat his Father: for he is delighted with his prayer, and requires it of him. Postula à me, Psal. 2.8. Desire of me, and I will give thee. It was but hyperbolicall in Trajan, it is true in our God: Citius esse desinit, quàm benefacere: Hee can assoone cease to be, as to be good to his. Gods hand was never shut from gigiving, if mans mouth be not shut from asking. Misery is the best orator for mercie:2 God loves to be sollicited; Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee. He that inviteth all to come in mercy, will receive all that doe come in justice. Yet cannot our petitionary Diligence deserve this: it is obtained not Prece, sed Pretio; by the precious bloud and merits of Christ.
- 1Joh. 3.8.Ioh. 3.8.
- 2Psal. 50.
