A44431:130
The almost Christian discovered, in some sermons on Acts 26, 28 with a blow…
The almost Christian discovered, in some sermons on Acts 26, 28 with a blow at profaneness / by the R.R. Ezekiel Hopkins, late Lord Bishop of London-Derry ; to which is added the upright Christian discovered, gathered out of the judicious treatises of William Bates, D.D.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1693
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.
Answ. In Answering this, I shall not enter into that great Debate of the power of nature to do what is good and acceptable to God; but proceed in a plain and accommodated way to Practice, and that which will be most convictive to the Conscience.
First, Men will not plead thus in Matters of far less concernment than the Salvation of their Souls. Would a Master, when he commands his Servant to work, take this, think you, for a sufficient excuse, ⟨p. 87⟩That he hath no power to work till God act and move him? It may as well be objected by your Servants to you, as by you to God. Tell me, what power have I to speak, or you to hear one word, unless God do concur to it? Nay, we are not sufficient to think one good thought, 2 Cor. 3.5. And do we make this an excuse to forbear those Actions that are necessary and convenient! Do we therefore resolve to do nothing, because it is impossible for us to do any thing unless God concurs with it? What stupid, dull Folly were this, and we put it daily and hourly to trial, and produce me that man that can say God was wanting to him in his concurrence. What a miserable and ridiculous task would it be, if in every Action of our Lives that we cannot do without God, yet should sit still, and question God's concurrence? Do you sit down to try whether God will enable you to rise when you are down? Or, do you question whether God will concur to another step, though it is impossible you should stir and move, unless God act and move you? yet this hinders not mens endeavours: In him we live, and move, and have our being. Why do not you do so in spiritual ⟨p. 88⟩matters? We can do nothing without God. True; yet put it to the trial, whether or no God will concur with you. Certainly that man must be nameless that can say, I was truly willing, and endeavoured to do any spiritual good, but God was wanting to me in his concurrence.
First, Men will not plead thus in Matters of far less concernment than the Salvation of their Souls. Would a Master, when he commands his Servant to work, take this, think you, for a sufficient excuse,