them what it was impossible for them to know, who were Populus volun∣tarius, and would have known more if they could.
St. Paul before actually converted, cry'd out, Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do? Another, What shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life? Others, What shall we do to be saved? who will shew us any good? When Christ said to the poor Man, Doest thou believe in the Son of God? he shewed his willingness in saying, Who is the Lord, that I might believe on him? And when Christ told him, I am he, and 'tis he that hath opened thine eyes, he presently reply'd, Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. They that were asked if they had received the Holy Ghost, answered, We have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost; but being wil∣ling to hear, they were baptised, and did receive the Holy Ghost, as they desired.
There are in the Gospels two proverbial sayings, He that is not with us, is against us; And he that is not against us, is with us. The first en∣joynes an active will, the latter seems to approve of an indifferent will, and to allow a Neutrality; both these must needs be true, but indistinct measures.
The first, He that is not with us, is against us, is meant of those that are in Covenant with God: these are past the preparation and disposition, and are come to the bearing of fruit; which if they do not, seeing they are already in the Tree, such branches must be cut off.
And so he that doth not love God, is his enemy; and not to go for∣ward is to go backwards. They must confess with their mouth, and practise in their actions what they believe in their hearts, or else their Faith is vain: for obstat quicquid non adjuvat, All hinders in this case that helpeth not: unless we gain that have a talent, we are unprofitable Servants.
The second, He that is not against us, is with us, is meant principally of those that are strangers, but Candidates for being Citizens, and in alliance with God. These will not be Christ's enemies, but would fain be his friends. Est quiddam prodire tenus, It is some thing to be ready to step forward, to long to be better; this little is something, and that's more than nothing, to wait for the moving of the waters: So Gamaliel was on Christ's side, because he would not be against him: So Joseph of Arimathea was for Christ, because he consented not to his death; a good Man, and of a friendly mind to Christ: So Nicodemus had a good will, though he came to Christ by night, and many others that concealed them∣selves for fear of the Jews. Many do as well as they can, and others as well as they may; and all do something, and God is pleased with it; and if they hold in this mind, he will help them to do more and please him better.
He that doth not dis-believe, is in a fair way to believe; he that doth not stop his ear, is in a fair way to hear. Such are not far from the Kimdom dom of God, allmost and may be altogether Christians. They know no farther, but believe what they know, and will believe more; when they do know what they should believe. Till when God will not cast them off, but call them on, saying; Come unto me all you that labour, and are heavy laden with the burden of your sins, and ye shall find rest for your Souls. Ho every one that thirsteth, let him come and drink the waters of life. Let them come and buy wine and milk, &c. without money and with∣out price. The hungry Soul shall be filled with marrow and fatness. Blessed