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

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.

¹Hence in the third place, We may acknowledge Gods power to help us, and that several wayes, and yet not not give the full glory that belongeth to him. All the Erratical Starres 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 inabled 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 Sunne arise, but of himself he hath perfect eyes to behold the light, Here is power given to God, but not enough, who doth not onely prepare the object, but fit and sanctifie the subject.