The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Sixthly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness, Mind a daily performance of sacred duties; He that hath nothing of his own, whereupon ⟨p. 757⟩to live, must be frequently fetching in provision from the Shops or Market, where it is to be had. The Christians life is maintained, not by himself, but by what he receiveth from God; Not that we are sufficient of our selves; our sufficiency of God; therefore there is a necessity of daily converse with God by holy Ordinances, and of waiting at his gate, as the beggar who hath neither a bit of bread, nor a penny to buy any, at the rich mans door for supply. Our spiritual strength is like Israels Manna, rained down daily; we are kept by a divine power, and allowed but from hand to mouth, that we might continually depend on, and resort to the Lord Jesus for our allowance. Paul speaks in some places of his great disbursements, how much he laid out for God and his people, that he laboured more then all the Apostles; but you must think, Whence had Paul such a spiritual stock, that he was able to outvie all others in his expenses! he tells you, that the Son of God kept house for him, and that he was the Steward to spend of his treasure, and thence his disbursements were so large; I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life that I live in the flesh, is by the faith of the Son of God, Gal. 2. 20. As the Plant Mistle, having no root of its own, both grows and lives in the stock or body of the Oak; So the Apostle having no root of his own, did live and grow in Christ. As if he had said, I live, I keep a noble house, am given to Hospitality above many, in labours more abundant, in watchings, in fastings more frequent, in perils, and dangers, and deaths often; but the truth is, I do all this at another's cost and charge, not at mine ⟨p. 758⟩own, I am beholden to Christ for strength to do and suffer, whatsoever I am called to. He carrieth the purse for me, and gives out to me according to my necessities. I have not a farthing of my own, wherewith to buy the least morsel. I can do nothing of my self, but I can do all things through Christ strengthening me.

Sixthly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness, Mind a daily performance of sacred duties; He that hath nothing of his own, whereupon