The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

So our Affections cannot ascend to those glorious things that are above, without the continually attracting Power of Grace. 'Tis by humble Prayer wherein we acknowledge our wants and unworthiness, and declare our dependence upon the Divine Mercy and Power, that we obtain Grace. Now from these Reasons the Gospel commands Humility, in our demeanour towards God and Men. And if we seriously consider them, how can any crevice be opened in the heart for the least breath of Pride to enter? How can a poor diseased wretch that hath neither Money, nor can by any industry procure nourishment, or Physic for his deadly Diseases, and receives from a merciful person not only Food, but Sovereign Medicines brought from another World (for such is the Divine Grace sent to us from Heaven) without his desert, or possibility of retribution, be proud towards his Benefactor? How can he that only lives upon Alms, boast that he is rich? How can a Creature be proud of the Gifts of God, which it cannot possess without Humility, and without acknowledging that they are derived from Mercy? If we had continued in our Integrity, the praise of all had been entirely due to God; For our Faculties and the excellent dispositions ⟨p. 324⟩that fitted them for action, were bestowed upon us freely by Him, and depended upon his Grace in their exercise. But there is now greater reason to attribute the Glory of all our goodness solely to him: for He revives our dead Souls by the infusion of Grace, without which we are to every good work reprobate. Since all our Spiritual Abilities are Graces, the more we have received the more we are obliged, and therefore should be more humble and thankful to the Author of them. And in comparing our selves with others, the Gospel forbids all proud reflections upon our selves as dignified above them, For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? And if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? If God discern one from another by special gifts, the Man hath nothing of his own that makes him excellent.

So our Affections cannot ascend to those glorious things that are above, without the continually attracting Power of Grace. 'Tis by humble Prayer wherein we acknowledg our wants and unworthiness, and declare our dependance upon the Divine Mercy and Power, that we obtain Grace. Now from these Reasons the Gospel commands Humility, in our demeanor towards God and Men. And if we seriously consider them, how can any crevise be opened in the heart for the least breath of Pride to enter? How can a poor diseased wretch that hath neither Money, nor can by any industry procure nourishment, or Physick for his deadly Diseases, and receives from a merciful person not only Food, but Soveraign Medicines brought from another World (for such is the Divine Grace sent to us from Heaven) without his desert, or possibility of retribution, be proud towards his Benefactor? How can he that only lives upon Alms, boast that he is rich? How can a Creature be proud of the Gifts of God, which it cannot possess without Humility, and without acknowledging that they are derived from Mercy? If we had continued in our Integrity, the praise of all had been entirely due to God; For our Faculties and the excellent dispositions