2. Though you are strong in grace, yet remember it is not the grace of God in you, but the free grace of God towards you, by which you are justified. It is not our inherent righteousness, but the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ that is our Justification. Oh consider, you that have most grace, what would become of you were it not for free grace? Free grace is the surest and only refuge for a soul to fly unto. God can find matter of condemnation against you not only for your worst sins, but your best duties. The best Christian hath no reason to venture his soul on the best thought that ever he conceived, nor on the most holy duty that ever he performed, nor on the highest grace that ever he exercised. A famous instance hereof we have in Nehemiah, who had much grace, and did much for God, his people, his house, his cause, yet prays after all this,1 Spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Intimating that God might find therein matter enough to ruin him, if God did not spare him for his mercies sake. So Paul in the discharge of his Ministry, proceeded with so much uprightness, that he speaks thus of himself,2 I know nothing by my self, yet am I not hereby justified. He knew that all the grace and excellency, and uprightness in him would not make him righteous in the sight of God.3 We read of Jehoshaphat, that when he had mustered up ⟨p. 163⟩all his strength, which was very great,4 for he had eleven hundred thousand men in his militia, yet he goes to God, and prays, Lord, we have no might or power against these multitudes, 5and we know not what to do, only our eyes are up to thee: So when a Christian hath mustered up all the strength of his grace, and considers the great power of his corruptions which do set themselves against him, he had best go to God and say, Lord I have no power against these many and great corruptions, but my eyes are to thy grace that thou mayst help me. As in a pair of Compasses, one foot is fixed in the Centre, whilst the other turns about the circumference: so must the soul fix and stay it self on Christ, whilst it is exercised about holy duties. Though Christ (as I formerly mentioned,) commended many parts of the Spouse, yet not her hands, to teach us, that all the Spouse could do,6 could not make her amiable in the eyes of Christ, nor the Spouses working for Christ, but Christs work in the Spouse made her beautiful.
2. Though you are strong in grace, yet remember it is not the grace of God in you, but the free grace of God towards you, by which you are justified. It is not our inherent righteousnesse, but the imputed righteousnesse of Jesus Christ that is our Justification. Oh consider, you that have most grace, what would become of you were it not for free grace? Free grace is the surest and only refuge for a soul to flie unto. God can finde matter of condemnation against you not only for your worst sins, but your best duties. The best Christian hath no reason to venture his soul on the best thought that ever he conceived, nor on the most holy duty that ever he performed, nor on the highest grace that ever he exercised. A famous instance hereof we have in Nehemiab, who had much grace, and did much for God, his people, his house, his cause, yet prayes after all this,1 Spare me according to the greatnesse of thy mercy. Intimating that God might finde therein matter enough to ruine him, if God did not spare him for his mercies sake. So Paul in the discharge of his Ministery, proceeded with so much uprightnesse, that he speaks thus of himself,2 I know nothing by my selfe, yet am I not hereby justified. He knew that all the grace and excellency, and uprightnesse in him would not make him righteous in the sight of God.3 We read of Iehosaphat, that when he had mustered up ⟨p. 163⟩all his strength, which was very great,4 for he had eleven hundred thousand men in his militia, yet he goes to God, and prayes, Lord, we have no might or power against these multitudes, 5and we know not what to do, only our eyes are up to thee: So when a Christian hath mustered up all the strength of his grace, and considers the great power of his corruptions which do set themselves against him, he had best go to God and say, Lord I have no power against these many and great corruptions, but my eyes are to thy grace that thou mayst help me. As in a pair of Compasses, one foot is fixed in the Center, whilst the other turns about the circumference: so must the soul fix and stay it selfe on Christ, whilest it is exercised about holy duties. Though Christ (as I formerly mentioned,) commended many parts of the Spouse, yet not her hands, to teach us, that all the Spouse could do,6
- 1Nehem. 13. 22.
- 21 Cor. 4. 4.
- 32 Chro. 11. 19.
- 41 Chro. 11. 19.
- 52 Chro. 10. 12.
- 6Cant. 4. 1. to 8.
