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

¹I answer, Grace inherent in us is by way of a permanent principle abiding in us, and so needeth some to excite and quicken it, but this actual helping is by way of a transient principle, moving but not continuing, and so that doth not need a further help; This is like the sharpening of the edge of the tools; This is like the actual Ejaculation of the Sun-beams, which make Objects to be actually seen; Take heed then of magnifying grace too much within us, as in Popery, when it is made our Righteousness whereby we are justified before God, or when we judge this able of it self without further Auxiliaries of God to preserve us.

¹I answer, Grace inherent in us is by way of a permanent principle abiding in us, and so needeth some to excite and quicken it, but this actuall helping is by way of a transient principle, moving but not continuing, and so that doth not need a further help; This is like the sharpening of the edge of the tools; This is like the actuall Ejaculation of the Sun-beams, which make Objects to be actually seen; Take heed then of magnifying grace too much within us, as in Popery, when it is made our Righteousnesse whereby we are justified before God, or when we judge this able of it self without further Auxiliaries of God to preserve us.

1. 1Answ.

Thirdly, Grace is necessary to keep us, Because while we are in this Life we are yet but in the way; We are not come to our Eternal home in Heaven where we shall be so confirmed that we shall not need such peculiar helps as now we do; We are here still in the way; Our Condition is compared to a warfare, to a Wrestling and fighting: We are but in the race, we have not yet put on the Crown, and therefore Gods assisting grace is always necessary; One reason the Orthodox give why we are justified by imputed Righteousness and not inherent, why our inherent Righteousness is imperfect, though God could make it perfect, is because God thereby would make us humble and lowly in our selves; But say the Adversaries, if we were perfectly holy there would be no danger of pride no more then there is in those that are glorified; To which it is answered, That suppose a man were made perfect in this Life, and were yet in viâ, not in termino; There would be as much danger of pride as there was in Adam and the Angels; The Saints therefore glorified they are made perfect, they are no more in the way; They have overcome, and so are made Pillars in the Temple of God, that never shall be removed; But it is not thus with the most holy man, he is yet fighting, sighing, groaning, and so needs daily custody.