82 SECOND SERMON them again. Neither do they throw away the pro- perty over them, but only the dangerous possession of them. This is not a full, cheerful, and voluntary action, but only a languid and inconstant willing contrary to that largeness of heart, and fixed disposi- tion which Christ's own people bring unto his service, as David and the nobles of Israel offered willingly, and with joy unto the Lord, 1 Chron. xxix. 17. Since a covenant presupposeth a power in him that maketh it, both over his own will, and over the matter, thing, or action which he promiseth, so far as to be enabled to make the promise ; and since we of our - selves have neither will nor deed, nor sufficiency either dtli to think or to perform, Rom. vii. 18. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Phil. ii. 12. we hence learn in all the covenants which we make, not to do it in any confidence of our own strength, or upon any dependence on our own hearts, which are false and deceitful, and may, after a confident undertaking, use us as Peter's used him ; but still to have our eyes on the aid and help of God's grace, to use our covenants as means the better to stir up God's graces in us, and our prayer unto him for further supplies of it. As David, " I will keep thy statutes," but then, " do not thou forsake me," Psa. cxix. 8. Our promises of duty must ever be supported by God's promises of grace , when we have undertaken to serve him, we must remember to pray as Hezekiah did, " Lord, I am weak, do thou undertake for me," Isa. xxxviii. 14. Our good works cannot come out of us, till God do first of all " work them in us," Isa. xxvi. 12. He must perform his promises of grace to us, before we can ours of service unto him. Nothing of ours can go to heaven, except we first received it from Heaven. We are able to " do nothing but in and by Christ which strengtheneth us,"
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=