Doct. 2. Those that have a deep sense of their sinful impotency and carnal distempers should seriously consider and encourage themselves by the sovereign power of God's grace.
Of the power of God as generally considered I shall speak by and by. Now I shall speak of it as it worketh in a way of grace, to bring us into a state of grace, and to preserve us therein.
1. The scripture speaks of this power that bringeth us into a state
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of grace ^ Eph. i. 19, ' And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to US-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.' Mark, there is a mighty glorious power that is seen in converting a sinner, and turning him from sin to holiness, even greater than the power by which God made the world. When God made the world, as there was nothing to help, so there was nothing to hinder ; but such is the perverseness of man's nature within, such is the opposition from without, and so great an enemy is Satan, that nothing less than God's powerful grace can begin such a saving work in them : 2 Peter i. 3, ' According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that per- tain unto life and godliness.' There is a divine power that gives us life, or a gracious spirit within, and a divine power that helps us to walk in a course of godliness without. So Kom. xi. 23, ' God is able to graff them in again.' The Jews are of all people most obstinate and averse from God ; they have no natural goodness of disposition in them ; they ' please not God, and are contrary to all men ; ' and shall the Jews be converted ? Yes ; ' for God is able to graff them in again,' and bring them into a state of grace.
2. This power of grace is seen in preserving us in a state of grace, and carrying on this work in despite of men and devils, till grace be crowned in glory. Alas ! if God did never so much for us at first, yet if he did not keep us, we should be made a prey, and be shipwrecked in the haven's mouth ; therefore from first to last the power of God is seen —
[1.] In defending the habit of grace that is begun in the soul. When the apostle had told us that God ' of his abundant mercy had begotten us again unto a lively hope,' 1 Peter i. 3, presently he saith, ver. 5, ' Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salva- tion.' First we are begotten, then kept, heaven is kept for us, and we are kept for it ; first the power of grace is a quickening power, and then a preserving power, defending the work God hath begun in us.
[2.] God actuates and quickens our graces in us : ' It is God which worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure,' Phil. ii. 13, inspiring and breathing holy motions into us : ' Awake, 0 north wind ; come, 0 south wind ; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow forth,' Cant. iv. 16. And then strengthening those graces, and defending them in all assaults and temptations, and causing us to grow: Col. i. 11, 'According to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness ; ' and Eph. iii. 16, ' That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.' And thus he continueth to do till they be perfected and completely glorified. Thus the Lord puts forth his power in defending, quickening, and increasing the grace that he hath wrought in us. We have seen there is a power put forth in a way of grace.
Now this should be considered by them that have a deep sense of their im potency and carnal distempers, for these reasons —
(1.) Because it is a great relief and prop to the soul. Oh ! what cannot the working of this mighty power do for us ! It exceedeth all the contrary power, whether in sin, the world, or the devil, and so answers our doubts and fears. But you will say, How is the power of
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God such a relief to the soul? We can easily grant that God is able, but how shall we know that he will put forth this mighty power for us ? 1 answer — (1.) In agonies of conscience ; it is not the fear of hell only that troubles us, but our rooted distempers. Indeed, fears of hell awaken us, but when we come to see our inveterate and rooted carnal distempers, this troubles us. A poor soul that is anything far gone in this preparative work cries out, It is impossible this blind heart of mine should ever be enlightened, this vain mind be made serious, this hard heart be softened, these bewitching lusts renounced. It is the difficulty of parting with sin troubleth the conscience ; therefore it is a relief to represent God as able. So in the midst of assaults and temptations, when we are dangerously beset, and fear we shall never be able to hold out, think of the power of God : 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day ; ' Jude 24, ' Unto him that is able to keep you from falling.' Our great trouble is for want of power. (2.) Again, it must needs be a relief to the soul, because if we be per- suaded of his power it gives us some hope of his will also ; so that we may go to God, and say as the leper. Mat. viii. 2, ' Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.' Look, as beggars, if they see an ordinary man pass by, they do not use much clamour and importunity with him, but if they see a man well habited and well attended, they will follow after him, and plead hard for relief, and say, Sir, it is in the power of your hands to help us ; so it doth encourage us to consider God is thus able, and can easily help, and do this for us. Nay (3.) God's power is engaged by promise, and therefore in many cases we may reason he is able to keep us, and therefore he will : Eom. xiv. 4, ' He shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand ; ' and Kom. xi. 23, ' They shall be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.' The two pillars of the temple were called Jachin and Boaz, strength and stability ; he hath strength, and therefore he will establish, for he hath power enough to make good his word.