The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Thirdly, Another foundation he must lay is,¹ To receive power and strength from Christ only, both in the beginning and progress of all good actions. Without me ye can do nothing, saith Christ, John 15. The branch separated from the Vine is dried and withered. James 1.17. Every good and perfect gift, comes from God alone. As all light is from the Sun; I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me, saith Paul, Phil. 4.13. He is the Head, and the Member receiveth all its virtue and power from it. So then, whosoever thinketh to set upon any good work, by his own ability, is like Samson, when his hair was cut off; alas those Philistines of lusts are too strong ⟨p. 134⟩for him, he cannot go out against those Goliaths of temptations, but in the Name of the Lord. Now here is the ignorance of most people: they that should not resolve to say so much, as that they will go to this, or that place, unless the Lord will. Those that cannot add a cubit unto their own stature, do yet think by their own strength to work out their salvation. Oh know, thou hast laid no sure foundation, unless all thy strength and power be fetched from Christ! Thou art too weak a child to go, unless he hold thee. Christ is the rock we must be built upon.

Thirdly, Another foundation he must lay is,¹ To receive power and strength from Christ onely, both in the beginning and progresse of all good actions. Without me ye can do nothing, saith Christ, John 15. The branch separated from the Vine is dried and withered. James 1.17. Every good and perfect gift, comes from God alone. As all light is from the Sunne; I can doe all things through Christ that strengthens me, saith Paul,