We are in some sort Lords over our 1own speeches and actions, but yet, under a higher Lord. David was willing to trust in God, but God wrought that will in him: he first makes our will good, and then works by it. It is a sacrilegious liberty that will acknowledge no dependence upon God. We are wise in his wisdom, and strong in his strength, who saith, without me ye can do nothing. Both the bud of a 2good desire, and the blossom of a good resolution, and the fruit of a good action, all comes from GOD. Indeed ⟨p. 246⟩the understanding is ours whereby we know what to do, and the will is ours whereby we make choice of what is 3best to be done; but the light whereby we know, and the guidance whereby we choose, that is from a higher agent, which is ready to flow into us with present fresh supply, when by virtue of former strength we put our selves forward in obedience to God. Let but David say to his soul being charged of God to trust, I charge thee my soul to trust in him, and he finds a present 4strength enabling to it. Therefore we must both depend upon God as the 5first Mover, and withal set all the inferior wheels of our souls a going 6according as the Spirit of God ministers motion unto us. So shall we be free from self-confidence, and likewise from neglecting that order of working which God hath established. David hearkened what the Lord said, before he said any thing to himself, so should we. Gods Commands tend to this, that we should command our selves. God, and the Minister under God, bid ⟨p. 247⟩us trust in him, but all is to no purpose till grace be wrought in the soul, whereby it bids it self; Our speaking to others doth no good, till they by entertaining what we say, speak the same to their own souls.
We are in some sort Lords over our 1owne speeches and actions, but yet, under a higher Lord. David was willing to trust in God, but God wrought that will in him: he first makes our will good, and then works by it. It is a sacrilegious liberty that will acknowledge no dependance upon God. Wee are wise in his wisedome, and strong in his strength, who saith, without me yee can doe nothing. Both the budde of a 2good desire, and the blossome of a good resolution, and the fruit of a good action, all comes from GOD. Indeed ⟨p. 246⟩the understanding is ours whereby wee know what to doe, and the will is ours whereby wee make choice of what is 3best to be done; but the light whereby wee know, and the guidance whereby wee choose, that is from a higher agent, which is ready to flow into us with present fresh supply, when by vertue of former strength wee put our selves forward in obedience to God. Let but David say to his soule being charged of God to trust, I charge thee my soule to trust in him, and hee findes a present 4strength inabling to it. Therefore we must both depend upon God as the 5first Mover, and withall set all the inferiour wheeles of our soules a going 6according as the Spirit of God ministers motion unto us. So shall wee bee free from selfe-confidence, and likewise from neglecting that order of working which God hath established. David hearkened what the Lord said, before he said any thing to himselfe, so should wee. Gods Commands tend to this, that wee should command our selves. God, and the Minister under God, bid ⟨p. 247⟩us trust in him, but all is to no purpose till grace bee wrought in the soule, whereby it bids it selfe; Our speaking to others doth no good, till they by entertaining what we say, speake the same to their owne soules.
- 1Ergone it a liberi esse volunt, ut nec Deum volunt habere Dominum? Aug. de Spir. & Lit.
- 2John 15.Iohn 15.
- 3Certum est, nos velle cū volumus, sed ille facit ut velimus. Aug.Certum est, nos velle cū volumus, sed ille facit ut velimus. Aug.
- 4Duties.
- 51.
- 62.
