6. As this difference is to be measured by graces wrought and acted, so 'tis made by the grace of God working and actuating these graces in us. 'Tis grace that makes the difference not only between Saints and sinners, but between Saints and Saints: that it makes it between men and men in taking one and making him a Saint, and leaving the other in his sins, is clear from Matth. 11.25. Rom. 9.13,—16. and ver. 21,—24. with many other places. And 'tis as clear that grace and the good pleasure of God makes the difference between Saints also, that the one hath more grace and improveth grace more than another, 1 Cor. 4.7. and 12.11,—18. Indeed, God worketh all things according to (no counsel but) the counsel of his Will, and who shall say to him, Why hast thou made me thus? His wind bloweth, as where, so how, it listeth; and as he showeth mercy to whom he pleaseth, so 'tis what and how much he pleaseth; the first and the after increase is of God: he gives five Talents to one, two to another, and but one to a third; and 'tis not the man but the Talent that brings in the gain, as the Apostle, when he had said, I live, corrects himself with a not I, but Christ liveth in me, and my life is by Faith, Gal. 2.20. And when he had said, He laboured more abundantly than they all, he seems to recall it, and saith, Not I but the grace of ⟨p. 32⟩God which was bestowed upon me, and was with me, viz. to assist and enable me, 1 Cor. 15.10. Luke 19.16. And 'tis observable how Paul alters his language, when he speaks of what he did in a state of nature, and what he did in a state of grace: then he attributes all to himself, I was this, and I did this, (he was always a great proficient) I profited more in the Jews religion, than many of my contemporaries that were of my standing, Gal. 1.14. But when he is converted, though he laboured more than any, and outwent his Seniors, yet he is not arrogant and assuming, but modest and thankful, Not I, but the grace of God that was with me, q. d. Though by nature I was forward and zealous, yet as to this work and labour, I have reason to attribute it and pay my gratitudes not to nature but to grace.
6. As this difference is to be measured by graces wrought and acted, so 'tis made by the grace of God working and actuating these graces in us. 'Tis grace that makes the difference not only between Saints and sinners, but between Saints and Saints: that it makes it between men and men in taking one and making him a Saint, and leaving the other in his sins, is clear from Matth. 11.25. Rom. 9.13,—16. and ver. 21,—24. with many other places. And 'tis as clear that grace and the good pleasure of God makes the difference between Saints also, that the one hath more grace and improveth grace more than another, 1 Cor. 4.7. and 12.11,—18. Indeed, God worketh all things according to (no counsel but) the counsel of his Will, and who shall say to him, Why hast thou made me thus? His wind bloweth, as where, so how, it listeth; and as he sheweth mercy to whom he pleaseth, so 'tis what and how much he pleaseth; the first and the after increase is of God: he gives five Talents to one, two to another, and but one to a third; and 'tis not the man but the Talent that brings in the gain, as the Apostle, when he had said, I live, corrects himself with a not I, but Christ liveth in me, and my life is by Faith, Gal. 2.20. And when he had said, He laboured more abundantly than they all, he seems to recall it, and saith, Not I but the grace of ⟨p. 32⟩God which was bestowed upon me, and was with me, viz. to assist and enable me, 1 Cor. 15.10. Luke 19.16. And 'tis observable how Paul alters his language, when he speaks of what he did in a state of nature, and what he did in a state of grace: then he attributes all to himself, I was this, and I did this, (he was alwaies a great proficient) I profited more in the Jews religion, than many of my contemporaries that were of my standing, Gal. 1.14. But when he is converted, though he laboured more than any, and outwent his Seniors, yet he is not arrogant and assuming, but modest and thankful, Not I, but the grace of God that was with me, q. d. Though by nature I was forward and zealous, yet as to this work and labour, I have reason to attribute it and pay my gratitudes not to nature but to grace.
