The Almofi-Cbriftian Difcovercd. fuouid we then do; but only fit friU and expeCt, till efficacious Grace fhou1d move and aa: us, and we not able to gainfay and refift it? Till God fa draw us as that we muft run1 and fo call us as that we muft anfwer? Till then our obedience is an impoffibility, and all our Attempts are vain and fruitlefs . This now is a fiothful Sinner's pretence why he will not work; and no doubt but that too often it cloth flafh into the thoughts of mail: Men, whereby their hearts are difcouraged and their hands weakned in the fervice of G0d: 1 Anfw. In Anfwering this, I fhall not epter into that great Debate of the Power of nature to do what is good and acceptable to God; but proceed in a plain and accommodated way to Prat\:ice, and that which will be moft convictive to the Confcience. Firft, Men will not plead thus in Matters of far lefs concerriment than the Salva... t1on of their Souls. Would a Mafter, when he commands hisServitnt to work take this, think you, for a fufficicnt excufe, That he bath no power to work till G~d act and move him? It may as well be objected by your Servants to you, as-by you to God. Tell me, what power have I to fpeak, or you to hear one word, unlefs God do concur to it? Nay, we arc notfujficient to think onegood thought, 2 Cor. 3· S· And do we make this an excufe to forbear thofe Attiom that are neceffary and convenient? DG we therefore refolv~ to ?o nothing, bec~ufe it is impoffible for _us to do any th~ng unlefs God concur~ wnh 1t? What ftup1d, dull Folly were tlus, and we pur tt daily and hourly to tnal, and produce me that Man that can fay God was wanting to him , in h.is concurren~e. What a miferable_ and ridiculou; Task would it be, if in every Att10n of our Ltves that we cannot do Without God, yet we fhould fit ftill and queftion God's concurrence? Do you fit down to try whether God will enable you to rife when you are down? Or, do you queftion whether God will concur to another ftep though it is impoffible you fuould ftir and move, unlefsGod a(t and move you? Ye~ this hinders not Mens endeavours: In him we live, and move, and have our being. Why do not you do fo in fpiritual matters? We can do nothing without God. True; yet put it to. the trial, whether or no God will concur with you. Certainly that Man muft be namelefs that can fay, I was truly willing, and endeavoured to do any fpiritual good, but God was wanting to me in his concurrence. Secondly, Thofe Men who thus makelmpoten'e a pretence for their Sloth, do not indeed believe what they themfelves pretend, No, it is the inward and fecret thought of them all, that they have a power to work out their own Salvation, and therefore whether they have or no, frill they are inexcufable, while they think they have this power, yet they fit 1ti\l. Although a Man be chained fait down that he cannot go, yet he thinks himfelf at liberty, and notwithfranding fits frill, you may foon tell where the fault lies; it may be imputed for want of Will, and not for want ofPower: So here; Wicked Men think they have power to work, however fpeak otherwife; therefore they are utterly inexcu[~tble if they do not work. It is as clear ~s the light, that their Sloth proceeds not from their impotence, but from their own will{ulnefs. I Jhall endeavour by a few Arguments to convince you, that you do indeed think that you have power to work out your own Salvation; therefore if you do it not, JOU are altogether inexcufable, whether you have that Power or no. Firft, Did you never, when God bath Jhaken his}\.od and Whip over you, feriou3~ promife and refolve to work; his Rod, I mean, either of Conviction or Affliction. Have not thefe made you enter into an engagement with God, that you would'ferve, and obey him for the future? Did you not really th,u refolve?. There arc few here,but fometimes at leaft in a Fit and Pang ofConfcience have fa dGne. And why did you refolve all this, and yet at the fame time think and believe you could do nothing? Did you only mock God, and play with your own Con{cience;? Certainly your Corifciences then were too much provoked, and too much awakened to be thus jefted and dallied with. We find this Temper in tli Jfratlites, when they were frighted at the terrible glory from Mount Sinai, Exod. 24. 3· Sec how confidently they promife and refolvc. And all the People anfivered with one voice, and {aid, .fi/J the Words which the Lord hatb[aid wiU we do. So the 'jew; in their great dift.refs, Jer. 42. 6. Whether it be.good, or whether Jt be C'Uil, we wiD obey the voice o[ the Lord our God, &c. that it may be weJJ with ru, Alas, how many pious Purpofes and holy Refolutions have your Dangers, your Fears,and yonr Sick-Beds been witnefs coo? Have they not heard you breath out,Spare, 0 Lord, fpare a little longer; give fome [pace; try us yet once more, ~nd 0 Lord, we will rtform, tve will ammd QUr ftnful Li1Je;, Wtr will perform negtrfltd Duttrs, tmd never mo~c "'J41,;
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