Reason 5. And what is the reason likewise — to add one more instance — that he helpeth most in extremity, that he deferreth help till that time, that in the mount he is seen, and not till he be in the mount, as the proverb is ?
* An inference from tlie passage, or an interpretation, rather than a translation of it.-G.
2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. IV, VER. 7. 893
Gen. xxii, 14. The reason is, that by, this naeans he may mortify and subdue all confidence in the means, that there may be no spiritual adultery •with the means. Then faith is stirred up, then prayer is set upon, then is more communion with God, the fountain of strength ; and the more com- munion with God, the fountain of strength, the more strength ; and the more communion -nith God, the fountain of power, the more power. In extremity we have more communion with God's strength and power. Therefore God withdraweth help oftentimes, to wean us from the creature, and to train us up to trust in him.
Use 1. Now to make use of what I have spoken. Doth God take this course, to do (jreat matters hij iccak means, that ire should achxouiedge the virtue of all to be from him ? I beseech you, then, to learn this lesson. Mark the Scriptures, how curiously careful holy men have been not to finger any- thing of God's. They feared sacrilege, spiritual theft, and hes ; that is, to attribute that to them which belongeth not to them. And therefore Saint Paul, 1 Cor. XV. 10, ' I have laboured more than they all : yet not I, but the grace of God within me.' Not the grace of God and I together, as two horses draw a coach, but grace with me did all. I was subordinate, not co-ordinate, with grace, but I under grace. We do but act as we are acted, move as we are moved, and therefore you see how careful he is, and you see the phrases of Scripture, of holy men. ' I am not worthy to loose his shoe latchet,' saith John the Baptist, John i. 27. ' I am not worthy to be called an apostle,' saith Saint Paul, 1 Cor. xv. 9. ' I am not worthy thou shouldst enter into my house,' Mat. viii. 8. Papists stand upon merit of congruity, but the phrase of Scriptm-e saith, 'I am unworthy;' * Not unto us, not unto us be the praise, but unto thy name.' And there- fore give God all the glory of anything that is done. If any good thing be wrought, if any good news be heard from beyond the seas, be sure to advance the instrument so that we rob not God of his glory.* And when God worketh in us anything that is gracious and beneficial, let God have all the glory. All cometh from him, therefore let all go to him again. You see in the Lord's prayer the connection of these two together ; ' Thine is the power,' therefore ' thine is the glory,' Mat. vi. 13. The excellency of power is of God, both in governing the world and in governing the church, in subduing corruptions. If power be his, then let glory be his too, let them not be severed.
Use 2. Again, let this teach us to resirpi up ourselres to God in the use of all good means, gire ourselres to him, for he cloth all. Trust not in the means, rest not in confidence of witf and parts, but depend upon him. It is a lesson easily understood, but not so easily practised. Therefore look to God. All things belong to God. Art thou of God ? Ministerial teaching is not enough. There be two teachers concur to save souls : ministers and God. There are two to be preached to, the outward man and the inward. We speak to the outward man, God to the inward. Paul speaketh to Lydia's ear, but God openeth the heart. Acts xvi. 14. And we baptize ■with water, but Christ baptizeth ' with the Holy Ghost,' Luke iii. 16. And therefore in all the ordinances of God, see them administered by the out- ward man, but there is virtue from Christ and from God. He must baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He must open the heart, unlock that, and teach that. If this were experimentally known and practised, we should have greater exercise of grace than there is in people's hearts, but
* In margin here, ' He relateth to the wars of the Swedes in Germany.'— G. t That is, ' wisdom.'— G.
391 ^ COMMENTARY ON
it is known as a notion, but not for matter of obedience and practice. The last thing we will speak of from the words is,
Use 3. That sn'i)tij all power and cxceUoicy is from God, ihcn take heed ice keep God our friend. Take heed we offend not this God, in whom is all power, our life, our strength. * In him we live, move, and have our being,' Acts xvii. 28. Take heed we do not offend him. You know what the apostle saith, Phil. ii. 12, ' Make an end of your salvation in fear and trembling.' Why ? * It is God that giveth the will and the deed, and according to his good pleasure.' That is, God worketh all in matters of salvation. He giveth not power, if you will ; but he giveth the will, he saveth us and converteth us, and maketh our will answerable to his will. He giveth the virtue to SeXs/v, and according to his good pleasure. As long as we submit to him he will work powerfully in us, and therefore ' make an end of your salvation with fear and trembling.' If we leave his Spirit, we be as air without light, presently dark, and as the earth without the sun. All things will decay and become dead, if the light and influence of heaven be withdrawn. Let God subtract the influence of grace, and we shall grow barren, and dead, and cold ; and therefore fear him. No man is wise more than God maketh him wise upon every occasion, nor no man is stronger than on every occasion God strengthens him.