1. We are weak and mutable creatures. When we were at our best, we were so. Adam in innocency was not able to stand without confirming grace, but gave out at the first assault. And still we are mutable, though we have a strong inclination for the present. When the precepts of God are propounded with evidence, and backed with promises and threatenings, and a resolution follows thereupon, the fruit of rational conviction and moral suasion, which is not for the present false and hypocritical, yet it will not hold without the bottom of grace. It hath not supernatural, yet it may have moral sincerity. Such a resolution was that of the Israelites after the terrible delivery of Gods Law. They promised universal obedience, and did not lye in it; for God saith, They have done well in their promise; there was a moral sincerity, but there wanted a renewed sanctified heart. And those Captains which came to Jeremiah, ch. 42. 5. intended not to deceive for the present, when they called God to witness that they would do according to all things for the which the Lord thy God shall send thee to us. And Hazael, Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing? Certainly he had abomination of it, when the Prophet mentioned that cruelty of ripping up women with child. But suppose the resolution to be a fruit of grace and regeneration, yet we have not full power to stand of our selves, still we are very changeable creatures in matters that do not absolutely and immediately concern life and death. Lot that was chaste in Sodom in the midst of so many temptations, you will find him committing Incest in the Mountains, where were none but his two daughters. What a change was here! David that was so tender, that his heart smote him for cutting off the lap of Saul's garment, one would wonder that he should plot lust, be guilty of murder, and lye in that stupid condition for a long time. Peter, which had such courage to venture upon a band of men, and to cut off Malchus's ear, should be so faint-hearted at a Damosels question! So while the strength of the present impulse, and the grace of God is warm upon the heart, we may keep close to our work, while the influence continues; but afterward, how cold and dead do men grow! as vapours drawn up by the Sun, at night fall down again in a dew.
1. We are weak and mutable creatures. When we were at our best, we were so. Adam in innocency was not able to stand without confirming grace, but gave out at the first assault. And still we are mutable, though we have a strong inclination for the present. When the precepts of God are propounded with evidence, and backed with promises and threatnings, and a resolution follows thereupon, the fruit of rational conviction and moral suasion, which is not for the present false and hypocritical, yet it will not hold without the bottom of grace. It hath not supernatural, yet it may have moral sincerity. Such a resolution was that of the Israelites after the terrible delivery of Gods Law. They promised universal obedience, and did not lye in it; for God saith, They have done well in their promise; there was a moral sincerity, but there wanted a renewed sanctified heart. And those Captains which came to Ieremiah, ch. 42. 5. intended not to deceive for the present, when they called God to witness that they would do according to all things for the which the Lord thy God shall send thee to us. And Hazael, Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing? Certainly he had abomination of it, when the Prophet mentioned that cruelty of ripping up women with child. But suppose the resolution to be a fruit of grace and regeneration, yet we have not full power to stand of our selves, still we are very changeable creatures in matters that do not absolutely and immediately concern life and death. Lot that was chast in Sodom in the midst of so many temptations, you will find him committing Incest in the Mountains, where were none but his two daughters. What a change was here! David that was so tender, that his heart smote him for cutting off the lap of Saul's garment, one would wonder that he should plot lust, be guilty of murder, and lye in that stupid condition for a long time. Peter, which had such courage to venture upon a band of men, and to cut off Malchus's ear, should be so faint-hearted at a Damosels question! So while the strength of the present impulse, and the grace of God is warm upon the heart, we may keep close to our work, while the influence continues; but afterward, how cold and dead do men grow! as vapours drawn up by the Sun, at night fall down again in a dew.
