A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

(3.) Grace is wronged by intercepting the Glory of Grace. It is the greatest Sacrilege that can be, to rob God of his Glory, especially the Glory of his Grace. Above all things in the World, God's Glory is the most dear to him, he cannot endure to have a Partner; especially, is the Glory of his Grace dear to him, it is the whole aim of all his Dispensations to glorify Grace; Ephes. 1.6. To the praise of the Glory of his Grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. You rob God of his chiefest Honour, when you take the Crown of Glory that is due to Grace, and put it upon your own Head. As for instance, When you think he accepts you, ⟨p. 8⟩rather than others, for some Worth or good Qualities that he seeth in you more than in others. Alas, in the Light of the Gospel such Thoughts are not expressed, but they lurk secretly in the Heart. Deut. 9.4. Speak not thou in thy Heart, saying, For my Righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this Land. A Man's Heart is very prone to these Thoughts, God seeth that I would bring him more Glory than another, it is for my Righteousness Grace is wronged also, when you are puffed up with any thing you have done for God, as if it were done by your own Power and Strength. A Christian in this Case should learn the Policy of Joab, when he was in a fair way of taking Rabbah, he sent for David to take the Honour of winning it: 2 Sam. 12.28. Now therefore, gather the rest of the People together, and encamp against the City, and take it; lest I take it, and it be called after my Name. So when we have done any thing for the Glory of God, let us send for God to take the Honour. Thus the Apostle, 1 Cor. 15.10. I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the Grace of God which was with me. If there be any Excellency, still throw the Crown at Grace's Feet. The industrious Servant said, Luke 19.16. Thy Pound hath gained ten Pounds; not my Industry, but thy Pound.