1. The influence of grace is not the warrant of duty, but the help ; it is the efficient assisting cause, not the ground or rule. We are to do all acts of obedience on account of God's command : Luke v. 5, ' Simon answering, said unto him, Master, we have toiled a|l the night ; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.' God is sovereign,
VeR. 25.] SERMONS LTON PSALM CXIX. 241
and we are bound to obey, wliether disposed or indisposed. Should the husbandman never plough but when disposed to plough ?
2. Our sinful indisposition cannot excuse us. In sins of commis- sion, our weakness to resist tem])tation is no excuse. So also in sins of omission, we cannot be allowed to say, It was the Lord suffered me to sin. No more will this plea be allowed. The Lord did not quicken me to duty. Grace is as necessary to prevent sin as to perform duty. God's suspension was no excuse to Hezekiah : 2 Chron. xxxii. 31 ; ' Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Baby- lon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the laud, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart/ This complaint of Aveakness hath an ill aspect ; complaining ■without labouring is rather a taxing of God. But —
3. Natural men are bound to pray and perform duties, therefore re- newed men. That natural men are bound, see Acts viii. 22, ' Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee ;' and Ps. xiv. 2, ' The Lord looked down from heaven to see if there were any that did understand and seek God.' It is charged as a crime that tliey did not, but much more the renewed ; for to whom more is given, of them more is re- quired. It is another talent wherewith they are intrusted. Grace is not only donum, but talentum; grace is not given as a piece of money to a child to play withal, but as we give money to factors to trade withal for us. Now a renewed man should do more, beiug capable of more.
4. The outward act of a duty is commanded as well as the inward ; though they come not up to the nature of a perfect duty, there is some- what of the ordinance of Christ in them : Hosea xiv. 2, ' Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord : say unto him. Take awiiy all iniquity, and receive us graciously ; so will we render the calves of our lips.' Though I cannot do all, I must do as much as I can.
5. We are to wait humbly in the use of means for the power of his grace. When the door is shut, knocking is the only way to get it open. I will go and offer myself to God, and see what he will do for me ; which is God's usual way, and to be used with the more caution and diligence, because God doth all : Phil. ii. 12, 13, ' Wherefore, my be- loved, as ye liave always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling : for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.' Seamen by tacking about get wind : so far as you use the means, you comply with God's end. A sad threatening there is to those that neglect the use of means, that shut the door upon themselves, or if God withdraws, are willing he should keep away.
6. Acting in spiritual duties fits us for them. Iter ad pletatem est intra inetatem — praying fits for praying, meditating for meditating. Frequent turning the key maketh the lock go more easy. Good dis- positions make way for good dispositions, Ps. xxvii. 14 ; Ps. xxxi. 24, ' Wait on the Lord ; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart.' Pluck up your spirits, strive to take courage, and then God will give you courage. To shake us out of laziness, God maketh the
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precept go before the promise. God biddetli us pray, though prayer be his own gift. Act as you would expect,
7. There is a supply corueth in ere we are aware : Cant. vi. 12, * Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Ammina- dib,' in the very work, A strange difference of temper is to be ob> served in David before the psalm be over: 1 Chron. xxii. 16, 'Arise, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.' God will not help that man that hath legs to go, and will not.
8. We are to rouse up ourselves : Isa. Ixiv. 7, ' And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee.' When we are willing to get the work over, and wrestle not for life and power in praying, we do not all we are able. The cock by clapping the wings addeth strength to the crowing. We should rouse up ourselves. We use not the bellows to a dead coal, &c.