God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances

1. Hence we see the absolute Necessity that there is of Divine Power, to render any means effectual to bring us from sin. However probable means may be to effect this end, they are not powerful enough without the cooperation of an Almighty arm superadded to them. If rational Arguments were sufficient, such as are drawn from infinite Mercy might be ⟨p. 115⟩enough to charm our Wills to a loyal Obedience to our God; but we see that outward Mercies, not conferring inward Grace, cannot accomplish such difficult work. The chiefest engine that draws the heart of man from sin, is Mercy; but 'tis the arm of God must fasten it to the heart of man, and Divine Power that can only attract him by it. Mercies are only cords, which Divine Power uses to draw men from sin. If Moral Persuasions were so wonderfully effectual in converting Sinners, as some would have them, it is strange men cannot overcome themselves to forsake their sins, by the consideration of the merciful Preservations, and gracious Deliverances the Almighty bestows upon them: Strange it is men cannot be persuaded to cease provoking God to Judgements, by the declaring his unwillingness to them by the experiences of deliverances from them. But how do we experience the ineffectualness of outward Mercies, whatever valid motives may be drawn from them! What need then is there to apply our selves most frequently to the Throne of Grace, for heavenly Influences on earthly Blessings?

1. Hence we see the absolute Necessity that there is of Divine Power, to render any means effectual to bring us from sin. However probable means may be to effect this end, they are not powerful enough without the cooperation of an Almighty arm superadded to them. If rational Arguments were sufficient, such as are drawn from infinite Mercy might be ⟨p. 115⟩enough to charm our Wills to a loyal Obedience to our God; but we see that outward Mercies, not conferring inward Grace, cannot accomplish such difficult work. The chiefest engine that draws the heart of man from sin, is Mercy; but 'tis the arm of God must fasten it to the heart of man, and Divine Power that can only attract him by it. Mercies are only cords, which Divine Power uses to draw men from sin. If Moral Perswasions were so wonderfully effectual in converting Sinners, as some would have them, it is strange men cannot overcome themselves to forsake their sins, by the consideration of the merciful Preservations, and gracious Deliverances the Almighty bestows upon them: Strange it is men cannot be perswaded to cease provoking God to Judgements, by the declaring his unwillingness to them by the experiences of deliverances from them. But how do we experience the ineffectualness of outward Mercies, whatever valid motives may be drawn from them! What need then is there to apply our selves most frequently to the Throne of Grace, for heavenly Influences on earthly Blessings?