A34165:1223
A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…
A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.
London : s.n., 1663
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.
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?
Object. But it may be objected: Is all from God, and nothing from us? Are we not said to concurr with him? and is not then the power partly ours?
Answ. 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 were but Ministers, 'tis God that giveth the blessing. It is not of us in two respects. 1. It is not merited by us, it is not of our deserving, nor of our procuring. 1. It is not of our deserving; the best, and most accomplished, do not merit: I received a mercy (saith Paul) to be faithful: He accounted it a mercy to be employed, and to be faithful therein. 2. It is not of our own procuring, we do not obtain it by our own power; as Peter said in the recovery of the lame man, It is not by any power and holiness of ours, that this man •s restored, &c. And so it is not our gifts and industry only, that will make our Ministry powerful; and therefore in this work let us be looking up to God, and desire him to assist us, as Moses said, If thou goest not, O Lord, up with us, wherefore should we go hence? So say I, if the presence of God be not with us, what can we do?
And further, When we do partake of any measure of ability, see where we must determine it: Not unto us, Lord; not unto us, but unto thy Name be all the glory. We must not sacrifice to our own Net, nor give the honour to our own industry, but wholly give praise to God, because the excellency is of God.