each PERSON diftinEtly. 277 [3.] There muff moreover be a way wherein we muff walk with Gad, God at the beginning affigned us a path to walk in with him, even the path of innocency and exa& holinefs in a covenant of works: This path by fin, is fo filled with thorns and briars, fo flopped up by curfes and wrath, that no flefh living can take one ftep in that path, anewway for us to walk in, mull be found out, if ever we think to hold communion with God. And this alfo lies upon the former account. It is hid in Chrift, all the world cannot, but by and inhim, difcover a path, that a man may walk one ftep with God in. And therefore the holy ghoft tells us, that Chrift bath confecrated, dedicated, and fet apart for that purpofe, a new and living way into the holieff of all, Heh. X. 2o. anew one, for the firft old one was ufelefs, a living one, for the other is dead, therefore faith he, v. 22. let us drawnear; having a way to walk in, let us draw near. And this way that he hath prepared is no other but himfelf, Yob. xiv. 5. in aò- fwer to them, whowould go to the father, and holdcommunion with him, he tells them, I am the way and no man cometh to the father, but by me. He is the medium of all- communication between God and us, in him we meet, in him we walk, all influences of love, kindnefs, mercy, fromGod to us; are thro' him ; all our returns of love, delight, faith, obedience unto God, are all thro' him. He being that one way, God fo often promifeth his people, and it is a glorious way, Ifa. xxxv. 8. an high way, a way of holinefs, away that none can err in, that once enter it ; which is further fet out, Ifa. xlii. r6. All other ways, all paths but this, go down to the chambers of death, they all lead to walk contrary to God. [4.] But fuppofe all this, that agreement be made, acquaintance given, and a wayprovided, yet if we have no ftrength to walk in that way, what will all this avail us? This alfo then muff be added. Of our felves we are of no ftrength, Rom. v. 6. poor weaklings, not able to go a ftep in the ways of God, when we are fee in the way, either we throw our felves down, or temptations calf us down; and we make no progrefs, and the Lord Jefus tells us plainly, that without him we can do nothing, Joh. xv. 5. not any thing at all, that (hall have the leaft acceptation with God. Neither can all the creatures in heaven and earth yield us the leaft aiftance. Mens contending to do it in their own power, comes to nothing, this part of this wifdom alfo is hid in Chrift. All ftrength to walk with God, is from him; I can do all things thro' Chri/l that flrengthne;h me, faith faint Paul, Phil. iv. ra. who denies that of our felves we have any fufficiency, 2 Cor. iii .5. We that can do nothing in our felves, we are fuch weaklings, can do all things in Jefus Chrift, as giants and therefore in him, we are, againff all oppofitions in our way, more than conquerors, Rom. viii, 37. and that be- caufe from his fulnefs, we receive grace for grace, Job. i. 16. From him have we the fpirit of life and power, whereby he bears us, as on eagles wings fwiftly, fafely, in the paths of walking with God. Any ftep that is taken in any way, by ftrength that is not immediately from Chrift, is one Step towards hell. He firft takes us by the arm and teaches us to go, until he lead us on to perfe&ion. He hath milk and ftrong meat, to feed us, he ftrengtbens us with all might, and is with us in our running the race that is fet before us. But yet, [5.] Whence fhould we take this confidence as to walk with God; even (a) our God, who is a confuming)fire? Was there not fetch a dreád upon his people of old, that it was taken for granted among them, that if they faw God, at any time, it was not to be endured, (a) H,b. rii. a . Aaaa they
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