There is, indeed, one particular, in which the illustration fails ; namely, that the kite is upheld without any concurrence of its own ; whereas the soul, notwithstanding its entire de- pendence on God, does yet, in fact, " work out its own sal- vation." I grant this: I grant, that what God effects for the soul, he effects through the instrumentality of its own volition and action. But it must be remembered, that " it is Pie, and He alone, who works in the soul either to will or to doq ;" and, consequently, that the work is as much his, as if the believer himself were purely passive : only, indeed, inasmuch as the believer's concurrence is necessary, he has the greater cause to implore of God that aid, " without which he can do nothing'."
If it be said, that here is a distinction without a difference ; and that, since the certainty of the saint's salvation is admitted, it signifies not what the means are by which he is saved ; I reply, that, on the supposition of the grace which has been once received being absolutely indefectible, a man will feel no occasion for fear : but, if he depend solely and entirely on God, he must exercise fear as well as faith. In the one case, confidence alone is encouraged ; but, in the other, humility : in the one case, faith alone is called for; in the other, it must be blended and tempered with holy fear. And this very dis- tinction is marked by the Apostle Paul ; " Thou standest by faith : be not high-minded, but fears."]
Let me, then, in conclusion say, Behold,
1. What need we have to cry mightily to God for grace —
[Perish we must, if God uphold us not. And it is in the continued exercise of prayer alone that we can hope for those
supplies of his grace which are necessary for us " Pray,
then, without ceasing1 ;" and beg of him to " hold up your goings in his paths, that your footsteps slip notu" ]
2. What need we have to guard against the means and occasions of sin —
[We are in the midst of a defiling and ensnaring world ; and have need of continual care and watchfulness, to " keep our garments clean x." If we become careless, Satan will not fail to take advantage of us, and to draw us into siny. David and Peter shew us very abundantly how frail we are, and how prone to fall, if once we enter into temptation. Hence we are
prayed for Peter, that his faith (the connecting medium between him and his God) might not fail.
i Phil. ii. 12, 13. r John xv. 5. » Rom. xi. 20.
1 1 Thess. v. 17. u Ps. xvii. 5. * Rev. xvi. 15.
> Luke xxii. 31.