376 SERMON UPON HEBREWS XIII. 20, 21.
perfection calletli for: 1 Thes. iv. 1, 'Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus Clivist, that as you have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please Grod, so ye would abound more and more.'
II. The words which express the necessary concurrence of the divine power ; they are two —
1. The first is, ' Make you perfect.' He prayeth not now for framing the new creature, but for perfecting it. God, that maketh man, new maketh him, and then he perfecteth him. God is wonderful in the first creation, in raising such a beautiful piece out of the dust of the ground as the first man was ; and in ordinary generation David telleth us, Ps. cxxxix. 14, ' I am fearfully and wonderfully made.' So God is wonder- ful in re-making or regenerating us : Eph. ii. 10, ' For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works ; ' Eph. iv. 24, ' And tliat ye put on the new man, which after God is created in right- eousness and true holiness.' There is much of the wisdom, goodness, and power of God seen in the new creature, to enable a man to capti- vate those lusts which the generality of the world are mastered by, and to live a divine life in the flesh. He is also wonderful in perfecting us till we grow up to our full stature in spiritual things. As it is not in man's power to make himself or regenerate himself, so it is not in man's power to perfect himself No ; but the Spirit of regeneration abiding in us doth renew us more and more. Well, then, it is not meant of regeneration when we are created to good works, but of the increase of his sanctifying grace, which is to regeneration as preservation and pro- vidence is to creation. God, that begun the work, must continue it and strengthen it, otherwise we shall be unfit for every good work, or as a member that is out of joint, as the word importeth which is there used.
2. ' Working.' God doth continually co-operate and work in us and with us, without which we cannot fulfil his will, or do anything that will please him. So will and deed are joined together : Phil. ii. 13, * For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do.' God worketh in us a power to will, and maketh us actually to will ; and a power and strength, or ability to do it. The new creature dependeth absolutely on his influences from first to last : 2 Peter i. 3, ' According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.' He giveth us spiritual life, and he giveth us godliness. He first giveth supernatural faculties, and then the use and exercise of them in our walk or conversation ; the first motions, and then the flowing forth of these motions into acts suitable.
Use 1. To establish our dependence. In doing any good we must depend on God, both for the power given at first and continued unto us. Will and deed come from him, and they come from him through Christ, who purchased and conveyeth this power to us by his constant intercession and the influence of his Spirit. Of unwilling he maketh us willing, and causeth us to do what he would have us to do. He doth not only give us the will, that is, the desire, and purpose, but the grace that we may do that good which we will and purpose. These are distinct ; many may have assistance in one kind, not in anothei-. Paul showeth us that willing and doing are different : Kom. vii. 18>
SERMON UPON HEBREWS XIII. 20, 21. STT"
' For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not.' To will is more than to think, and to exert our will into action is more than both. In all we need God's help, both to think a good thought or conceive a good purpose, much more to perform a good action. Man is mutable, and here is much opposition. Use 2. Exhortation to several duties.
1. Let us shake off carnal security and laziness. Here is not only God's grace represented, but man's duty. God's doing all doth not warrant us to lie upon the bed of ease, but stir us up to diligence : Phil. ii. 12, 13, 'Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.'
2. We are not to neglect the motions of the Spirit lest we grieve him : Eph. iv. 30, ' And grieve not the Holy Spirit, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.'
3. We are to use the means, and God will bless our endeavours : 1 Peter ii. 2, ' As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.' We are to attend upon the word and fre- quent the sacrament.
4. We must pray earnestly, for a twofold reason — (1.) That we may humbly own our wants : James i. 5, ' If any man lack wisdom, let him ask it of God.' (2.) That we may express our desires and long- ing for grace : Mat. v. 6, ' Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.'