And therefore, when you think your present trials, that are come upon you, far greater then you can bear, think withal of the glorious power of God, that is at hand to help you. 'Tis a great word, That, his [GLORIOUS POWER]: A greater attribute could not have been named or found out for our comfort. And is a word of virtue, force and power, to hearten to, or against anything whatever. 'Tis true, thy present trial may be, and is above that in ward strength, which serves and hath served hitherto, to act thy graces, in thy ordinary walkings with God, holily and sincerely. A child may by its ordinary strength be able to walk up and down a room, by stools (suppose) supporting it, without any other extraordinary help: But if it be to go up a pair of Stairs, the strength that enabled it to these lesser performances, ⟨p. 169⟩will not be sufficient thereunto: He must be carried and held up in the arms of one who is strong and mighty. And so it is here. That other part, of our Christian obedience, the active •ife of a Christian (prayed for by the Apostle in that place to the colossians also) whereby he walks fruitfully, &c. as in the seventh •erse of that chapter, requires indeed Gods power, for by it, it is, we are kept unto Salvation, all-a-•ong: But when it comes to Patience, and Long-suffering, and ALL PATIENCE; and that such • trial comes, as will try all Patience in you, then it is He makes mention of that glorious Power, •nd not afore: For it must be no •ess that must go to that, then Gods GLORIOUS POWER. And •he promise therefore is (in such case) that the SPIRIT OF GLO•Y shall rest upon us, and not •he Spirit of Grace only, as I Pet. ⟨p. 170⟩4. 14. Relieve and comfort therefore your selves with these things, and specially with this: That as your trials abound, so this glorious power of God will abound also, towards you, for your support.
And therefore, when you think your present trials, that are come upon you, far greater then you can bear, think withall of the glorious power of God, that is at hand to help you. 'Tis a great word, That, his [GLORIOƲS POWER]: A greater attribute could not have been named or found out for our comfort. And is a word of vertue, force and power, to hearten to, or against anything whatever. 'Tis true, thy present trial may be, and is above that in ward strength, which serves and hath served hitherto, to act thy graces, in thy ordinary walkings with God, holily and sincerely. A child may by its ordinary strength be able to walk up and down a room, by stooles (suppose) supporting it, without any other extraordinary help: But if it be to goe up a pair of Staires, the strength that enabled it to these lesser performances, ⟨p. 169⟩will not be sufficient thereunto: He must be carryed and held up in the arms of one who is strong and mighty. And so it is here. That other part, of ourChristian obedience, the active •ife of a Christian (prayed for by the Apostle in that place to the •olossians also) whereby he walks •ruitfully, &c. as in the seventh •erse of that chapter, requires indeed Gods power, for by it, it is, we are kept unto Salvation, all-a-•ong: But when it comes to Pati•nce, and Long-suffering, and ALL PATIENCE; and that such • trial comes, as will try all Pati•nce in you, then it is He makes •ention of that glorious Power, •nd not afore: For it must be no •ess that must go to that, then Gods GLORIOƲS POWER. And •he promise therefore is (in such case) that the SPIRIT OF GLO•Y shall rest upon us, and not •he Spirit of Grace only, as I Pet. ⟨p. 170⟩4. 14. Relieve and comfort therefore your selves with these things, and specially with this: That as your trials abound, so this glorious power of God will abound also, towards you, for your support.
