A31961:986
An Exact collection of farewell sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…
An Exact collection of farewell sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr. Watson, Mr. Jacomb, Mr. Case, Mr. Sclater, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jenkin, Dr. Manton, Mr. Lye, Mr. Collins : to which is added their prayers before and after sermon as also Mr. Calamy's sermon for which he was imprisoned in Newgate : his sermon at Mr. Ashe's funeral and Dr. Horton's and Mr. Nalton's funeral.An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr. Watson, Mr. Jacomb, Mr. Case, Mr. Sclater, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jenkin, Dr. Manton, Mr. Lye, Mr. Collins : to which is added their prayers before and after sermon as also Mr. Calamy's sermon for which he was imprisoned in Newgate : his sermon at Mr. Ashe's funeral and Dr. Horton's and Mr. Nalton's funeral.
London : s.n., 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It is God that makes the work powerful, efficacious and successful: Alas! when we have used our best endeavours, all the success is from him, he must make it effectual; it is said, our Saviour went about doing good, for God was with him, inclining him to the work, and assisting him therein: So he is with all his servants: their gifts, employments, and success thereof, are all of God, not of us.
It is God that makes the work powerful, efficacious and successful: Alas! when we have used our best endeavours, all the success is from him, he must make it effectual; it is said, our Saviour went about doing good, for God was with him, enclineing him to the work, and assisting him therein: So he is with all his servants: their gifts, employments, and successe thereof, are all of God, not of us.
Object. But it may be objected, Is all from God, and nothing from us? Are we not said to concur with him? and is not then the power partly ours?
Ans. I answer, No: 'tis of God, and not of us: we are indeed subjects of the Ministry, the Recipients thereof, persons employed in the Work, and therefore are said to be workers together with God, 2 Cor. 6. 1. but the power and efficacy thereof is from God alone: Paul and Apollo are but Ministers, 'tis God that giveth the blessing; 'tis not of us in two respects. 1. 'Tis not merited by us, 'tis not of our deserving, nor of our procuring; 1. 'Tis not of our deserving; the best and most accomplished do not merit it: I receive a mercy (saith Paul) to be faithful: he accounted it a mercy to be employed, and to be faithful therein. 2. 'Tis not of our procuring, we do not obtain it by our own ⟨p. 430⟩