The application of redemption

For had it been said the means were powerful and in a plentiful manner bestowed but men would not do what they might and ought, may be there was a slight […], some powerless wishing but there wanted the strength of endeavour behold he excludes both It's not him that wills only, nay let him run for it, put to the best of his abilities, that will not do the deed. It's not there but in the good pleasure of him that shows mercy Rom. 9. 17. And hence it is that the very spirit of bondage, terror and astonishment, and sensible troubles of heart, which many times wicked men that fall finally short of saying grace, yet attain in some measure or degree even that is beyond the reach of a mans own power, We have not received the spirit of bondage to fear Rom. ⟨p. 299⟩8. 15. even that is a gift and must be received and is dispensed freely, all that a natural man can do cannot call for his old terrors and troubles which out of his sensuality he hath devised ways to wear out, unless the Lord will set them on by his hand. And hence the Apostle makes the exception so general to Timothy, 2. Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, so the resolution is into the free grace of God & the sovereignty of his purpose, issues not from any work of ours, hangs not upon that hinge, & hence it is the Lord denies the communication of means to some whom he foresees would use and husband them to better advantages and bestows them upon such who neither prize nor profit by all they have, nay are open contemners and opposers of the truth. Woe be to thee Chorazin woe be to thee Bethsaida for if the great works that have been done in thee had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would long before this day have repented in sackcloth and ashes Math. 11. 21. yea he professeth Ezek. 4. 6. If he had sent Ezekiel to a strange people and of hard language such as had never heard of the things of God and grace they would have hearkened to him when the Jews rejected his counsel and the commands of God dispensed by his means, Hence it is the Lord to show the sovereign freedom of his pleasure, that he may do with his own what he will, and yet do wrong to none, he denies pardon and acceptance to those who seek it with some importunity and earnestness