deavours to avail himself of every wind that blows, to get for- ward in his Christian course.
But in reference to all the foregoing points, we must acknow- ledge, that all Christians are not equally advanced ; nor does any Christian so walk as not to shew, at some time or other, that " he has not yet attained, nor is altogether perfect™." We must be understood therefore as having declared, rather what the Christian " can do," than what he actually does in all instances. " In many things he still offends11;" but he aspires after the full attainment of this proper character : in the performance of his duties, he aims at universality in the matter, uniformity in the manner, and perfection in the measure of them.]
The Christian's power being so extraordinary, we may well inquire after,
II. The source from whence he derives it —
The Christian in himself is altogether destitute of strength —
[If we consult the Scripture representations of him, we find that he is "without strength0," and even " dead in tres- passes and sinsp." Nor, after he is regenerate, has he any more power that he can call his own ; for " in him, that is, in his flesh, dwelleth no good thingq."
If our Lord's assertion may be credited, " without him we can do nothing;" we are like branches severed from the vine1.
If the experience of the ?nost eminent Apostle will serve as a criterion, he confessed, that he " had not of himself a sufficiency even to think a good thought; his sufficiency was entirely of Gods."]
His power even to do the smallest good is derived
from Christ —
[" It has pleased the Father, that in Christ should all fulness dwell1," and that " out of his fulness all his people should receive11." It is he who " strengthens us with all might by his Spirit in the inner man1:" it is he who " gives us both to will and to doy." If we are " strong in any degree, it is in the Lord, and in the power of his might2." Whatever we do, we must give him the glory of it, saying, " I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in mea:" " I have laboured; yet not
m Phil. iii. 12. n Jam. iii. 2. ° Rom. v. 6.
P Eph. ii. 1. °- Rom. vii. 15, 18, 19. r John xv. 5.
■ 2 Cor. iii. 5. l Col. i. 19. u John i. 16.
x Eph. iii. 16. v Phil. ii. 13. Heb. xiii. 21.
z Eph. vi. 10. a Gal. ii. 20.