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to perform good works because I was to be saved by them; now, because I am saved without them." God saving us in Christ, by grace, hath appointed that we shall perform that in a way of acknowledg- ment of our free salvation, which before we were to do to be saved. Though works left no room at all for grace, yet grace leaves room for works, though not the same they had before grace came. This, then, are we to humble ourselves to, — to be as diligent in good works, and all duties of obedience, because we are saved without them, as we could be to be saved by them. He that walks with God must hum- ble his soul to place all his obedience on this foot of account. He hath saved us freely; only let our conversation be as beseemeth the gospel. How this principle is effectual in believers, as to the cruci- fying of all sin, Paul declares, Rom. vi. 14, " Sin shall not have do- minion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." The argument to carnal reason would lie quite contrary. " If we are not under the law, — that is, the condemning poAver of the law, — then let sin have its dominion, power, sway. Did not the law forbid sin, under pain of damnation? — ■ Cursed is every one that continueth not/ etc. Did not the law command obedience with the promise of salvation? — ' The man that doth the things of it shall live therein.' If, then, the law be taken away from having power over us to these ends and purposes, as to forbid sin with terror of damnation, and command obedience for righteousness and salvation, what need we perform the one or avoid the other?" " Why, upon this account," saith the apostle, " that we are under grace ; which, with new ends, and on new motives and considerations, requires the one and forbids the other."
Have we now, or do we constantly humble ourselves to this part of the law of God's grace, — that we build up and establish our obe- dience on grace, and not on the law; on motives of love, not fear; from what God hath done for us in Christ, rather than from what we expect, — because " eternal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord?"
[5.] We are to humble ourselves to this, — that we address ourselves to the performance of the greatest duties, being fully persuaded that we have no strength for the least. This is that which lies so cross to flesh and blood, that our souls must be humbled to it if ever we are brought to it; and yet without this there is no walking with God. There are great and mighty duties to be performed in our walk- ing with God in a way of gospel obedience: there is cutting off right hands, plucking out right eyes; denying, yea, comparatively, hating father, mother, and all relations ; dying for Christ, laying down our lives for the brethren ; crucifying the flesh, cutting short all earthly desires, keeping the body in subjection, bearing the cross, self-denial,
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and the like; — which, when they come to be put in practice, will be found to be great and mighty duties. This is required in the law of grace, — that we undertake and go through with these all our days, with a full assurance and persuasion that we have not strength of ourselves, or in ourselves, to perform the least of them. " We are not sufficient of ourselves," saith the apostle, 2 Cor. iii. 5. We cannot think a good thought. Without Christ we can do nothing, John xv. 5. This, to a carnal heai-t, looks like making of brick without straw. " A hard saying it is, who can bear it?" May not men sit down and say, " Why doth he yet complain? Is he not austere, reaping where he hath not sown? Are his ways equal?" Yea, most equal, righteous, and gracious ; for this is the design of his thus dealing with us, that upon our addressing ourselves to any duty, we should look to him from Avhom are all our supplies, and thereby receive strength for what we have to do. How unable was Peter to walk upon the water! Yet, when Christ bids him come, he ventures in the midst of the sea; and with the command hath strength communicated to support him. God may call us to do or suffer what he pleases, so that his call have an efficacy with it to communicate strength for the performance of what he calls us to, Phil. i. 29.
This, I say, are we to humble ourselves unto, — not only in the general to reckon that the duties that are required of us are not pro- portioned to the strength residing in us, but to the supply laid up for us in Christ ; but also to lie under such an actual conclusion in eveiy particular duty that we address ourselves to. This, in civil and na- tural things, were the greatest madness in the world; nor is it need- ful that you should add any farther discouragement to a man from attempting any thing, than to convince him that he hath no strength or ability to perform or go through with it. Once persuade him of that, and there is an end of all endeavours; for who will wear out himself about that which it is impossible he should attain? It is otherwise in spirituals : God may require any thing of us that there is strength laid up in Christ for, enough to enable us to perform it; and we may by faith attempt any duty, though never so great, if there be grace to be obtained for it from Christ. Hence is that enu- meration of the great things done by believers through faith, — utterly beyond their own strength and power, Heb. xi. S3, 34, " Out of weakness were made strong." When they entered upon the duty, they were weakness itself; but in the performance of it grew strong, by the supply that was administered. So we are said to come to Christ to " find grace to help in time of need," Heb. iv. 16, — when we need it, as going about that which we have no might nor power for.