1The use hereof is divers: 1. First it may serve for confutation of that false opinion of the Papists about their doctrine of free-will. For mark it: The very Saints have not power to keep themselves, no not after calling, and therefore much less before calling. 2. And further it may confute the very confidence of all the adversaries of Gods people: they insult many times over the godly, because they are so few, so mean persons, so simple, and weak, and pride themselves in the conceit of their own greatness, and power to compass all their plots and malicious intendments against the godly: But they do notably deceive themselves. For godly men are preserved not by their own might, or means, or friends, or sufficiency, but qby the power of God: grossly therefore are they deluded, if they think to prevail finally against them. 3. Yea this might fully and at once confute the objections of the weak Christian: Oh he hath so many infirmities, and temptations, and allurements, and corrupt inclinations, so many lets and discouragements, and so wanteth the means, that he can never persevere to the end: these are his fears, and this works his unbelief. But all this is soon answered: Thou standest not by thine own strength, but by the power of God, and therefore I must apply that speech of Christ to the Sadducees to them: a little turning them: you err, not knowing the promises of God in the scriptures, nor the power that is in Gods nature.
1The use hereof is divers: 1. First it may serve for confutation of that false opinion of the Papists about their doctrine of free-will. For marke it: The very Saints have not power to keep themselves, no not after calling, and therefore much lesse before calling. 2. And further it may confute the very confidence of all the adversaries of Gods people: they insult many times over the godly, because they are so few, so meane persons, so simple, and weake, and pride themselves in the conceit of their owne greatnesse, and power to compasse all their plots and malicious intendments against the godly: But they doe notably deceive themselves. For godly men are preserved not by their owne might, or meanes, or friends, or sufficiency, but qby the power of God: grossely therefore are they deluded, if they thinke to prevaile finally against them. 3. Yea this might fully and at once confute the objections of the weake Christian: Oh he hath so many infirmities, and temptations, and allurements, and corrupt inclinations, so many lets and discouragements, and so wanteth the meanes, that hee can never persevere to the end: these are his feares, and this workes his unbeleefe. But all this is soone answered: Thou standest not by thine owne strength, but by the power of God, and therefore I must apply that speech of Christ to the Sadduces to them: a little turning them: you erre, not knowing the promises of God in the scriptures, nor the power that is in Gods nature.
