The souls exaltation A treatiseThe soules exaltation A treatise

The fourth part of the tenure and conveyance of grace to the faithful soul is this (and I speak but only in the general) the Lord doth not only preserve what grace he gives, but he quickens that grace he maintains, he draws forth that ability he bestows, he puts life unto that strength and succour which he vouchsafeth to work in the hearts of his children; hence all those places are marvellous pregnant, God giveth the will and the deed, so that it is not only the having, but the doing, that we have need of from God; and Paul professeth, that he hath not only grace from Christ, but he lives not, but Christ liveth in him, if Christ did all in him, and this is that we shall observe, Luke 1.74. That he would grant us, saith the text, that being redeemed from the hand of our enemies, we might serve him without fear; take notice of two things here, First, that the Saints of God are redeemed and justified by Christ, and now one would think a man that is justified, and hath Christ, ought trade for himself, no, but that he would grant us, that being redeemed from the hand of our enemies, we might serve him without fear, it is one grant to be redeemed, and it ⟨p. 77⟩is a new grant to serve him without fear; as it is a mercy for God to bestow ability before we have it, so it is a mercy to quicken that ability which he vouchsafes, that we may honour him by it, and he may honour himself by us; therefore it is a most pregnant place, Colos. 1. last verse, when Paul was there labouring what he could, yet as though he had nothing, as though he did nothing, he gives all to God; for mark the manner of the sense of the words, Whereunto, saith he, I also labour and strive; (the word in the original signifies, I sweat at it, and take great pains) according to his working, which worketh in me mightily; Paul laboured and strived; but how comes this about? his striving is by the working of Christ, and by his working he works; as who should say, It is grace I have any grace, it is he assisting, it is he co-operating, it is he accompanying, (I know not what to say) it is his work works, and he works mightily in them that work and strive to advance the glory of God: so then we have those four particulars, that in reason almost might satisfy any man; what you want, Christ hath; what is fit, Christ will bestow;

The fourth part of the tenure and conveyance of grace to the faithfull soule is this (and I speake but only in the generall) the Lord doth not onely preserve what grace hee gives, but hee quickens that grace he maintains, he drawes forth that ability hee bestowes, hee puts life unto that strength and succour which hee vouchsafeth to worke in the hearts of his children; hence all those places are marvellous pregnant, God giveth the will and the deed, so that it is not onely the having, but the doing, that wee have need of from God; and Paul professeth, that hee hath not onely grace from Christ, but he lives not, but Christ liveth in him, if Christ did all in him, and this is that wee shall observe,