4. Conclus. Men may do more then they do, Isa. 64.7. There is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: they did not shake off luke-warmness and laziness, and rouse up themselves to take hold of God by faith and prayer. Its the complaint of Christ that he was hungry, and they gave him no meat, thirsty, &c. they might have done those things, and bestowed their estates upon Christs members, as well as others. Its evident men may do more then they do, for that they do not that in their healths, which they do in time of their affliction; then they will early seek God, Hos. 5.15. Weak ones do more then stronger, many of weak parts act beyond those of larger abilities. Many complain in their sickness that they have lost time and not done what they might: where is the man that dares plead it before the Lord, that he hath done all he could? Because men do not what they might, the Lord may not only deny grace unto them, doing something, yea, doing much, but justly condemn them, because they did not what was in their power. It is a common saying among Papists, Jesuits, Arminians and others,1 facienti quod in se est, gratiam non denegat deus. This is no sound foundation, for it supposeth some men do act to the uttermost of their power. But [Whoever yet did all that was in his power?] whoever went so far, as that he might not have gone one step farther? Did ever any read, hear or pray so much, but he might have read, heard and prayed more? Jehoram might have waited on the Lord longer, 2 Kings 6. ult.
4. Conclus. Men may do more then they do, Isa. 64.7. There is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: they did not shake off luke-warmness and lasiness, and rouze up themselves to take hold of God by faith and prayer. Its the complaint of Christ that he was hungry, and they gave him no meat, thirsty, &c. they might have done those things, and bestowed their estates upon Christs members, as well as others. Its evident men may do more then they do, for that they do not that in their healths, which they do in time of their affliction; then they will early seek God, Hos. 5.15. Weak ones do more then stronger, many of weak parts act beyond those of larger abilities. Many complain in their sickness that they have lost time and not done what they might: where is the man that dares plead it before the Lord, that he hath done all he could? Because men do not what they might, the Lord may not only deny grace unto them, doing something, yea, doing much, but justly condemn them, because they did not what was in their power. It is a common saying among Papists, Jesuites, Arminians and others,1 facienti quod in se est, gratiam non denegat deus. This is no sound foundation, for it supposeth some men do act to the uttermost of their power. But [Whoever yet did all that was in his power?] whoever went so far, as that he might not have gone one step farther? Did ever any read, hear or pray so much, but he might have read, heard and pray'd more? Jehoram might have waited on the Lord longer, 2 Kings 6. ult.
- 1Nos negamus ullos unquam suisse been citentes bono naturae propter deum itaque non dubimus esse aliquod meritum congrui. Chamier. panstr. Cath. T. 3. l. 14. c. 4.Nos negamus ullos unquam suisse bene citentes bono naturae propter deum itaque non dubimus esse aliquod meritum congrui. Chamier. panstr. Cath. T. 3. l. 14. c. 4.
