The trial of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing…The tryall of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing…

he fetcheth his assistance from him: where as the inward assistance of another unsound branch is strengthened and supported by pride, and self sufficiency of gifts and parts, and not derived by faith, and maintained by confidence in Christs strength to act all in them; so that, as it is said of the Corinthians, that they reigned, but without us, says Paul. So I may say, Temporaries perform duties, and pray, but as without Christ. But all true Believers are emptied first of their own strength and ability, and so walk as those who can do nothing without Christ, as those who are not able to love, believe one moment more without him. So Phil. 4. 13. I am able to do all things, but through Christ that strengtheneth me. And this they lay for a principle in their hearts which they walk by, which therefore Christ presseth upon his Disciples here, as the main requisite and fundamental principle of Evangelical Sanctification, Without me ye can do nothing. And therefore such an one is sensible of that cursed self sufficiency in him, and humbleth himself, checks himself for it, as for as great and foul a sin as any other; and humbleth himself not only for the want of what life, and stirring, &c. should have been in the duty fell short of, in performing it; but also for that he sanctified not Christ, in the strength he received to do it with: But another ⟨p. 17⟩doth not so; if he finds strength, and power, and vigour to perform, and quickness in the performance, he looks no further. That poor man in the Gospel, as he acknowledged his want of faith, that he had much unbelief in him, so he goes out to Christ for the supply, Lord help my unbelief, for he knew that it was he was to be the worker of every degree of faith in him. And again, a true believer being thus sensible of his own unability, doth (when he is any thing assisted) attribute all to Christ when he hath done; and honours him as the Author of it in himself; confesseth in his heart, between Christ and himself, that it was not he, but Christ that strengthened him: It is not I, (says the Apostle) but the grace of God in me, though I have laboured more then they all. But another, though he receives all, yet not being emptied of himself, boasteth as if he had not received it. As the Pharisee, though he thanked God in words, yet in his heart attributed all to himself;

he fetcheth his assistance from him: where as the inward assistance of another unsound branch is strengthened and supported by pride, and selfe sufficiencie of gifts and parts, and not derived by faith, and maintained by confidence in Christs strength to act all in them; so that, as it is said of the Corinthians, that they raigned, but without us, sayes Paul. So I may say, Temporaries performe duties, and pray, but as without Christ. But all true Beleevers are emptied first of their owne strength and ability, and so walk as those who can doe nothing without Christ, as those who are not able to love, beleeve one moment more without him. So