It is true, of course, that God does much for a man without his aid. I do
not now refer to material blessings. He it is who gives us "life, and
breath, and all things"--and gives them largely without our effort. But
even in man God does much without his help. He calls. He stirs up
conscience. He gives flashes of light to the most darkened heart. He
softens by the hand of sorrow, and rebukes with the stripes of affliction.
Memory, human affection, hope, ambition, are all made means by the Holy
Ghost to urge men to holiness. The ministry of goodness in others is so
directed as to point multitudes to the way of the Cross. But this will not
provide the one thing needful. Instruction, clear views of the truth,
belief in the facts of God's love and grace, admiration of Salvation in
other lives, even the desire to declare the Gospel, may all be present,
and yet the soul be--DEAD--dead in trespasses and sins--cursed, bound, and
corrupted by dead works. Just as the noblest and highest efforts of man
towards his own Salvation, _without the co-operating, life-giving work
of God_, can result only in confusion and death; so the most powerful,
gracious, long-suffering and tender yearnings and work of God for man's
Salvation, _without the co-operating will of man_, can result only in
distress, disappointment, and death.