Sermons upon death and eternal judgment

1. That although the natural Man be dead in Sin, without spiritual strength to resolve and perform his Duty, and holy heat of desires to it; and nothing is alive in him but his corrupt Passions, that are like Worms generated in a Carcass; yet by the Grace that is offered in the Gospel, he may be enabled to perform the Conditions of it, for in this the Gospel excels the Law: the Law discovers Sin, but affords no degrees of supernatural Power to subdue it, and directs to no means for the expiation of ⟨p. 37⟩its Guilt. As the Fire in the Bush discovered the Thorns without consuming them. But the sanctifying Spirit, the true Spring of Life and Power, ¹is the concomitant of the Gospel, as St. Peter declares,² With the preaching of the Gospel the Holy Ghost was sent down from Heaven. And the Spirit by illuminating, preventing, and exciting Grace, assists Men to repent and believe; and is promised in rich and liberal supplies to all that humbly and ardently pray for it. This our Saviour assures to us by a most tender and endearing Comparison:³ If ye that are evil know how to give good things to your Children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those that ask it?

1. That although the natural Man be dead in Sin, without spiritual strength to resolve and perform his Duty, and holy heat of desires to it; and nothing is alive in him but his corrupt Passions, that are like Worms generated in a Carcase; yet by the Grace that is offered in the Gospel, he may be enabled to perform the Conditions of it, for in this the Gospel excels the Law: the Law discovers Sin, but affords no degrees of supernatural Power to subdue it, and directs to no means for the expiation of ⟨p. 37⟩its Guilt. As the Fire in the Bush discovered the Thorns without consuming them. But the sanctifying Spirit, the true Spring of Life and Power, ¹is the concomitant of the Gospel, as St. Peter declares,