ON HOSEN XIV. -- VERSE S. 229 of new obedience hath its firmness in the promise and free grace of God. Israel here in the confidence of God's mercy prays for pardon and blessings ; and in the confidence of his grace, maketh promise of re- formation and amendment of life ; but all this is but like a written instrument or indenture, which is in- valid and of no effect, till the parties concerned have mutually sealed and set to their hands. Till God be pleased to promise us that we shall do that which we have promised unto him, and do as it were make our own covenants for us, all will prove too weak and vanishing to continue. The grace of God unto the purposes of men is like grain to colours died, or like oil to colours in a table or picture, which makes them hold fresh, and not fade away. There is a necessary and indissoluble dependence of all second causes upon the first, without whose influence and concurrence they never live, move, have, or continue in their being, Acts xvii. 28. Heb. i. 3. He who is first of causes, and last of ends, doth use and direct the necessary, voluntary, contin- gent motions and activities of all second causes unto whatsoever ends he himself is pleased to pre - ordain. And this the natural and necessary concatenation of things doth require, that that which is the most ab- solute, supreme, first, and most independent will, wisdom, and power of all others, should govern, order, and direct all other wills, powers, and wisdoms that are subordinate to, and inferior to it, unto what- soever uses and purposes he who hath the absolute dominion and sovereignty over all, is pleased to ap- point. It cannot be other than a marvellous dimi- nution unto the greatness of God, and a too low esteem of the absoluteness of that majesty which belongs unto him, to make any counsels, decrees, u
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