CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. Though we keep our selves, yet this is wholly from and by God: We act with subordination and dependence on him, we keep our selves, because God enableth us to do so, as the less wheel is moved by the greater, as the greater orb moveth the less; so that here is no glory or praise due to us no more than the pen that writeth, or the hatchet that cuts, for we depend wholly upon God, both quoad esse, the essence and being of grace would not continue did not he uphold it, as also, quoad posse, and quoad operari; Therefore our keeping is not à contra-distinct or separate keeping from God, as if he were one partial cause, and we another, as when two lift one burden; but ours is from him, by him, and under him, as the Master guideth the hand of the Scholar to write.

2. Though we keep our selves, yet this is wholly from and by God: We act with subordination and dependance on him, we keep our selves, because God inableth us to do so, as the less wheel is moved by the greater, as the greater orbmoveth the less; so that here is no glory or praise due to us no more than the pen that writeth, or the hatchet that cuts, for we depend wholly upon God, both quoad esse, the essence and being of grace would not continue did not he uphold it, as also, quoad posse, and quoad operari; Therefore our keeping is not à contra-distinct or separate keeping from God, as if he were one partial cause, and we another, as when two lift one burden; but ours is from him, by him, and under him, as the Master guideth the hand of the Scholar to write.

¹Hence in the third place, We may acknowledge Gods power to help us, and that several ways, and yet not not give the full glory that belongeth to him. All the Erratical Stars that have been in the Churches firmament, have at last acknowledged some power, some auxiliary help of grace, but yet justly condemned by the Orthodox, as robbing grace of its due praise; for if a man should say, It's Gods power that helpeth us, because he created us at first with a rational soul, so giving of us understanding and will, whereby we are enabled to choose what is good, here Gods power is acknowledged, but at a remote distance. Here like some Heathens, we sacrifice the wax to God, but keep the honey to our selves; thus Nature and Grace is confounded; Pelagius at first thought this would serve. But if a man should go further, acknowledging Gods power in revealing the object, though he worketh nothing upon the subject; Here God is acknowledged but at a low rate. Thus also Pelagius said, It was the grace and power of God to make known and reveal the objects of faith, but when revealed, then we have power to believe them, as a man cannot see, till the Sun arise, but of himself he hath perfect eyes to behold the light, Here is power given to God, but not enough, who doth not only prepare the object, but fit and sanctify the subject.