The Best Interest, Chapter 3 · Section 6
Sect. 6. Such, as complain of inability to come up to the terms of the Goſpel, anſwered.
It may be ſome will ſay, I wiſh I could cloſe with the terms on which Chriſt is offered in the Goſpel, but I find I am not able to do it, I find in my ſelf an inability to believe and repent, I can't obey Chriſt, and deny my ſelf, and ſuffer for Chriſt; I wiſh I could do theſe things, but I find no power, yea ſometimes I find oppoſition and reluctancy in my will, againſt the terms of the Goſpel, what would you ſay to one in my condition.
A. 1. The main thing that God looks at, is that we ſhould be willing to have Chriſt, as he offers him to us in the Goſpel; That we be willing to believe in him, willing to repent of our ſins, willing to obey Chriſt, willing to ſuffer for his ſake, willing to be ſaved by him, in his own way; For God is willing to give Chriſt, and all his benefits unto every one that is willing to receive him. Rev. 22.17. Whoſoever will, let him take the water of life freely. As it is in matters of charity, where there is a willing mind, God accepts it, though there be not ability to do that which we are deſirous to do. 2 Cor. 8.12. If there be firſt a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. So it is in other Evangelical duties, if there be a willing mind to perform what the Goſpel requireth, it is accepted although there be not power and ability to do what is required of us. If there be a willingneſs to leave our ſins, and obey the Lord, it is accepted as obedience. Iſa. 1.16.19. Ceaſe to do evil, learn to do well— If ye be willing and obedient ye ſhall eat the good of the Land. There may be a willingneſs to that good which we want power to perform, and where there is ſuch a willingneſs, it is taken notice of, and accepted by God. Math. 26.41. The Spirit indeed is willing, but the Fleſh is weak.
2. If you find a want of power to come up to the terms of the Goſpel, this ſhould not keep you from Chriſt, but cauſe you to go to him, that he give you power and ſtrength to do what he requireth of you. The Apoſtle of himſelf was as weak as we are, he could do nothing, no nor think any thing that was good. 2 Cor. 3.5. But through Chriſt's ſtrengthning him, he could do all things. Phil. 4.13. If we find we can't believe, we muſt look unto Chriſt, that he would work Faith in us. Heb. 12.2. Looking to Jeſus the Author and Finiſher of our Faith. If we can't Repent, we muſt look unto Chriſt to give us Repentance, for he was Exalted to give Repentance to thoſe that can't Repent, as well as Remiſſion of ſins to them that do Repent. Act. 5.31. If we can't obey Chriſt and walk in his ways, we muſt look unto Chriſt to put his Spirit within, and to cauſe us to walk in his ways. Ezek. 36.27. If we can't love and prefer Chriſt above all things, we muſt look unto Chriſt that he would Circumciſe our hearts to love him, with all our hearts and all our ſouls. Deut. 30.6. If we can't deny our ſelves for Chriſt, we muſt look to him to give us a ſelf-denying heart. Ezek. 36.26. If we can't ſuffer for Chriſt, we muſt look unto him to give us a ſuffering Spirit. Phil. 1.29.
3. If you find ſome unwillingneſs as well as an inability to cloſe with Chriſt upon the terms of the Goſpel, ſeek unto God to work in you both a will and power to accept of Chriſt as he is offered in the Goſpel. To encourage thereunto, conſider,
(1.) Both are Gods work, which he works in us, out of his free grace. It is God that makes us willing to cloſe with Chriſt on the terms of the Goſpel, and it is God that gives us power to believe, repent, deny our ſelves, take up our Croſs and follow Chriſt. Phil. 2.13. It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do, of his good pleaſure.
(2.) Both are promiſed and may be obtained of God, if we will ſeek for them. He hath promiſed to encline our wills to embrace Chriſt. Pſal. 110.3. Thy people ſhall be a willing people in the day of thy power. And he hath promiſed to give power alſo to them that have no might. Iſa. 40.29. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he encreaſeth ſtrength.
(3.) Both a will to embrace Chriſt, and power have been ſought with good ſucceſs. Cant. 1.4. Draw me, we will run after thee, the King brought me into his chambers. Draw me, that is, make me willing and able to come to thee, and this requeſt was anſwered, the King brought me into his Chambers, that is, according to my deſire, drew me unto himſelf. Pſal. 119.36. Encline my heart unto thy Teſtimonies. When we feel any averſeneſs in our hearts, to any of the ways of God, we muſt go unto God to encline our hearts to walk in his ways.