Divine efficacy without humane power. Opened in a sermon preached at St. Margarets Church…

The Lord hath ordered all duty to have some difficulty in it. And the same word which is the Rule of the duty, is also the comfort against the difficulty. We have therein the comfort of his Authority requiring it of us. It is the work which he hath given us to do, we have not rushed upon it presumptuously our selves. We have the comfort of his promises quickening us unto it; for every word of command hath a word of promise with it, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Heb. 10. 36. We have the comfort of his grace working together with the Word, facilitating the duties required, and proportioning the soul to the service, giving an heart to do the word, Ezek. 11. 19, 20. And therefore by faith and hope we may improve every word unto comfort and courage in duty. Faith giving a kind of Being unto the things promised, Heb. 11. 1. and hope waiting with joy for the accomplishment of them, do powerfully work the heart above difficulties unto cheerful obedience; Faith quencheth temptation, overcometh the world, purifieth the heart, worketh by love▪ removeth fear, the discourager and obstructer of duty, 1 John 4. 18. Hope causeth us to purify our selves, 1 John ⟨p. 20⟩3. 3. To serve the Lord instantly day and night, Acts 26. 7. To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, Tit. 2. 11, 12, 13. To wait on the Lord, and to keep his Way, Psal. 37. 34. To renew our strength, to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint,