us so great a work, as that of " giving us a new heart, and renewing a right spirit within us."
Nor has any man the inclination thus to renew himself. Let us look around, and see what is the state of mankind at large. Are they mourning over their degeneracy and cor- ruption ? Are they panting after holiness ? Are they using the means which are confessedly within their reach? Are they thankful for every aid they can receive, and for every instruction by which their good desires may be furthered ? If you think they are, take your Bible with you, and go to all your neighbours and proffer your assistance to them, and solicit a reciprocal aid from them : act as if you all were ship- wrecked, and all were anxious for their own personal welfare, and for the welfare of those around them. Do this, and you will soon see how much inclination men have for a thorough conversion of their souls to God.]
It is from God, and from God alone — [This we are not left to determine by any fallible reason- ings of our own : it is decided for us by God himself ; who, speaking of all who received the Lord Jesus Christ, and thereby received power to become the sons of God, says, " They were born, not of blood (or in consequence of their descent from any particular parents), nor of the will of the flesh (that is, from any good desires of their own), nor of the will of man (that is, from the kind efforts of others), but of Godb." It is God alone who makes one to differ from another0 : it is " God alone who gives us either to will, or to dod," what is good : and " He who is the Author, is also the Finisher e," of all that can issue in a man's salvation.]
But as God is pleased to use means and instruments in this work, I will proceed to shew, II. The means by which it is effected —
It becomes not us to restrict God in the use of means. We know that he frequently makes use of
* John i. 12, 13. c 1 Cor. iv. 7. d Phil. ii. 13.
e Heb. xii. 2. How all this accords with the doctrines of the Church of England, may be seen by referring to our Articles and Liturgy : — In our Liturgy we thus address the Deity : " O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do pro- ceed." And the tenth Article runs thus : " The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare him- self by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and calling upon God. Wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us when we have that good will."