Lectures Upon John 4, Part 8 · Lecture 36
Lecture the sixe and thirtieth, December 26. 1609.
THe two first parts of this Verse we hauehave already finished, and are now to proceed to the third and last. viz. The Reason whereby Christ iustifieth the worship which the Iewes did vntounto God, in these words: Saluation is of the Iewes: wherein two things are to be obserued. 1. What hee meanes here by Saluation. 2. How this Saluation that he speaketh of is said to be of the Iewes. By Saluation in this place is meant the Word of God, and the Ministry thereof, as may appeare by these three Reasons. 1. The Saluation here spoken of, is that whereby the Iewes knew how to worship God aright; else there had beene no consequence in this Reason, wee worship that wee know: For saluation is of the Iewes, q. d. Because wee hauehave Saluation. Now the onelyonly meanes whereby the Iewes knew how to worship God aright, was the Word. 2. This Saluation here spoken of, was the chiefe prerogatiue whereby the Lord did preferre the Iew before the Samaritan, and all other nations, and so is it mentioned here. And the chiefe prerogatiue of the Iewes was the Word, Psal. 147. 19. Hee sheweth his Word to Iacob, his statutes and his iudgements to Israel (verse 20.) He hath not done so with any other nation, neither hauehave they knowne his iudgements. And Rom. 3. 2. The chiefe preferment of the Iewe was this, because to them were committed the Oracles of God. 3. The saluation here spoken of, is that that was to be deriued from the Iewes to Gods people of all nations. And what was that? The Law shall goe from Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Ierusalem, Esay 2. 3. And the reason why it is so called, is, for that it worketh the saluation of men: Which teacheth vsus;
That the Word of God, and the Ministry thereof, is the saluation of men. See for proofe of this, what titles are giuen to it by the Holy Ghost. Doct. 6.1. It is called the Word of grace, Acts 20. 32. 2. It is called the Word of life, Phil. 2. 16. Iohn 6. 68. 3. It is called the grace of God, Titus 2. 11. 4. The Kingdome of God: Matth. 21. 43. The Kingdome of God shall be taken away from you, and giuen to a nation, &c. 5. Saluation it selfe and euerlasting life here, and Heb. 2. 3. Act. 28. 28. Iohn 12. 50. I know that his commandement (that is, his Word which he hath commanded me to teach) is euerlasting life. These are vnproper and strange speeches to be spoken of the Word; yet are they farre more effectuall to set out the dignity and excellencie of the Word, then if the Lord should hauehave said onelyonly in plaine termes, that it is the meanes and worker of our saluation. Before I come to shew the Reasons why it is so called, I will answer three questions and doubts that may arise in your minds, which may hinder you from vnderstanding aright, and conceiuing the meaning of this Doctrine.
1. Can none be saued that want the Word?Quest. 1.
To this I answer. It cannot be denied but some hauehave attained to saluation Answ.that neuer enioyed the Word. Neither must we imagine that God either could not, nor neuer did saue any without the Word; or that all they are to be iudged to be in the state of damnation, that either in times past, or at this day liue and die in those places where the light of the Word did neuer shine. For God is able to doe whatsoeuer it pleaseth him, Psal. 115. 2. He hath appointed meanes not to tie himselfe, but vsus onelyonly vntounto them: and as the inuisible Church (the company of Gods Elect) is a Catholique Church in all ages, and in all places; so in such times and places as he hath denied the Word vntounto, he hath beene wont to saue his Elect without the Word. While his people were in the wildernesse, where they could not hauehave the ordinary meanes of tillage, God did feed them extraordinarily, and gaue them bread from heauen, Iohn 6. 31. So Rahab had faith euen while she dwelt in Iericho, Heb. 11. 31. And the Wise men of the East, before they came to Iudaea, Matth. 2. 2.
2. Shall all be saued that hauehave the Word? that reade it, that heare it, Quest. 2.that professe it?
To this I answer. That it is certaine, all are not saued that enioy the Word. For in all ages, there hauehave beene many that hauehave liued vnderunder Answ.most faithfull and profitable Ministers, and hauehave heard them also ordinarily, and yet hauehave not beene saued: such an one was Iudas, Iohn 6. 70. Yea the most part of them that hauehave enioyed the Word, hauehave missed of saluation. In so much as in all ages, the best of Gods seruants hauehave had cause to complaine, as: Esay 53. 1. Who will belieue our report? And to whom is the arme of God reuealed? Yea, it may well be, that those that hauehave enioyed the Word most abundantly, may be farre worse men for all kind of wickednesse, then such as neuer heard the Word in their liues. So it is said of Ierusalem, that it exceeded Sodome in all kind of abominations: Ezek. 16. 48. The Word vseth not to saue any, vnlesse it be by preaching opened and applied, Acts 8. 31. 1. Cor. 1. 21. For it saues none but such as can vnderstand, belieue, and obey it. It saueth none but Gods Elect. OnelyOnly those that God hath ordained vntounto life shall profit by it, shall finde it effectuall to their saluation: Acts 13. 48. The rest cannot profit by it, Many are called but few are chosen, Matth. 22. 14. The rest shall be made worse by it. The Word of God is like vntounto the water of iealousie, mentioned, Numb. 5. 27. 28. When it is receiued into an honest and good heart, it doth it good and makes it fruitfull; when into a corrupt heart it rotts it, and makes it worse.
3. Is the saluation of any to be ascribed to the Word it selfe, or any vertue that is in it?Quest. 3.
To this I answer. That 1. The saluation euen of those that are saued by the Word, is not to be ascribed to the Word it selfe, or any vertue Answ.that is in it; as if it were to be accounted the author and worker of any mans saluation. 1. The glory of this worke is to be ascribed wholly vntounto God: the Word is but the instrument that God is pleased to vse in this worke. God onelyonly is our Sauiour: 1. Tim. 2. 3. 2. Neither is it as a naturall instrument that hath vertue in it selfe to regenerate or saue (as food hath to nourish, and a medicine to heale the bodie) but onelyonly as a toole God is pleased to vse in this worke: So that as the excellentest toole the Ioyner hath, or vseth, can worke nothing vnlesse his hand goe with it, and worke with it. So is it in this case. The Word saues and regenerates men not by any naturall vertue that is in it, but onelyonly by a supernaturall power it receiues from God, the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, 2. Cor. 10. 4. Nay the Word it selfe, say it be deliuered in the Ministry of a man that hath the most excellent gifts, is not able to worke the least measure of sauing grace in the heart of any. A man would thinke it was no great degree of grace in Lydia, that shee attended to the thing that Paul spake, yet could not the word that Paul spake (though he had such excellent gifts) worke so much, but God opened her heart, Acts 16. 14. To come to Christ, is the least measure and degree of sauing faith; yet could not the word that Christ himselfe spake (as he was man) mooue a soule so farre; this is the onelyonly worke of God, No man can come to mee, vnlesse my Father draw him, Iohn 6. 44, 45. I hauehave planted, saith Paul, and Apollos watered, but God gaue the increase, 1, Cor. 3. 6. The Preacher (if he desire his Ministry should doe good) had need to crie to God for his helpe, and the hearer if he desire to profit by the Word, had need to cry to God to make his Word effectuall to his saluation. Therefore Christ (when he was to send forth his Apostles) spent a whole night in praying to God for his blessing vponupon their Ministry, Luke 6. 12. And doubtlesse one chiefe cause why the Word saues so few, is this, that men rest too much vponupon it, and cry not earnestly to God, that he would blesse it, and make it effectuall in their hearts.
This being so, it may be demanded why the Word should be called the Word of life, the Kingdome of God, the saluation of men.
The Reasons why these glorious titles are giuen vntounto it by the Holy Ghost, are these.Reason.
1. Because it is the onelyonly meanes the Lord hath sanctified to worke sauing grace in his elect, and to bring them to eternall life. Though where 1.this cannot be had he doth saue by other meanes, or without meanes, as pleaseth him; yet hath he not said nor reuealed that he will saue men by any other meanes then this; which caused the Apostle to mooue that strange question: How shall they belieue on him of whom they hauehave not heard? or how shall they heare without a Preacher? Rom. 10. 14. And to pronounce of all that are strangers from the couenants of promise, that they hauehave no hope of saluation, Ephes. 2. 12. 2. Though men may hauehave many good things in them without the Word, the Gentiles which hauehave not the law, doe by nature the things contained in the Law, Rom. 2. 14. yet sauing grace, such good things as may bring a man to saluation, none can attaine to ordinarily but by the Word, for that's the incorruptible seed whereby we are regenerated, 2. Pet. 1. 23. 3. Though there be many other meanes of saluation besides this, yet all the rest receiue their force and vertue from this, nothing can doe vsus good without this. 1. Meditation of the workes of God, must be acknowledged to be a good meanes of grace, and so of saluation, Dauid made great vse of it to further himselfe in grace, Psal. 8. 3, 4. But no man can profit by that, till he hauehave first profited by the Word, Make mee to vnderstand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate in thy wondrous workes, Psalm. 119. 27. 2 Affliction is a great furtherance to our saluation, Hee chasteneth vsus for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holinesse, Heb. 12. 10. But it can doe vsus no good till it be sanctified to vsus by the Word, Psal. 94. 12. Blessed is the man whom thou chastisest, O Lord, and teachest him in thy Law. 3. The Sacraments are great helpes to our saluation, 1, Pet. 3. 21. Baptisme saueth vsus. The Bread that we breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ, 1. Cor. 10. 16. but they hauehave all their efficacie from the Word. Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth his Church by the washing of water through the Word, Ephes. 5. 26. and that was the cause why Paul in that Congregation, that was assembled principally for the celebration of the Lords Supper, spent so much time in preaching, Asts 20. 7. 4. Prayer is an excellent meanes of saluation, Whosoeuer shall call vponupon the name of the Lord shall bee saued, Rom. 10. 13. But no man can pray with comfort, till the Word hath wrought with him, How shall they call on him, in whom they hauehave not beleeued? and how shall they beleeue in him, of whom they hauehave not heard? Rom. 10. 14. Till the Lord hath first said to a man by his Word, thou art my childe, he can neuer say to God in his prayer thou art my father, Zach. 13. 9. I will say it is my people, and they shall say, the Lord is my God.
2. Because it is euer powerfull: God euer vseth to make it effectuall vntounto the saluation of his Elect. This may appeare in two points.
1. Though it be sometimes sent in iudgement, and to be a sauour of death vntounto death in some, Goe and tell this people, heare yee indeed but vnderstand not; 2.and see yee indeed but perceiue not; Make the heart of this people fat, &c. Esay 6. 9, 10. yet was it neuer sent to any place onelyonly in iudgement, onelyonly to harden; but to worke the saluation of some. When God sent Paul to Corinth, and continued his liberty there but one yeare and an halfe, The reason is giuen, Acts 18. 10. That God had Much people in that place. The like wee shall finde noted of all places the Apostles preached in, that some were conuerted by them in eueryevery place.
2. In Gods Elect it will certainely be effectuall to their saluation, as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued, Acts 13. 48. And though not at the first, yet it will be effectuall one day, as the doctrine that Iohn the Baptist taught became effectuall in sundry of his hearers after his death and not before, Iohn 10. 41, 42. And when this will not saue and conuert, nothing will be able to doe it, If they heare not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be perswaded, though one rose from the dead, Luke 16. 31. Therefore is so much spoken of the power and efficacie of the Word, that it is liuely and mighty in operation, Heb. 4. 12. that it conuerteth the soule, Psalm. 19. 7. that it is the power of God vntounto saluation, Rom. 1. 16. that it is able to saue our soules, Iames 1. 21. that it is able to make vsus wise vntounto saluation, 2. Tim. 3. 15.
This power and ability that is in the Word to saue, may bee seene in foure cases.
1. It is able to enlighten and bring vntounto sauing knowledge, the simplest that shall heare and reade it with an honest heart: Psalm. 19. 7. and 119. 130.
2. It is able to reforme the heart and life of him, that hath the strongest corruptions, and greatest temptations, if hee giuegive himselfe to the hearing and reading of it with a good heart, euen the young man may reforme his waies, if he would take heed to them according to the word, Psal. 119. 9.
3. It is able to comfort and reuiue the heart that is most cast downe, either with inward or outward afflictions, I create the fruit of the lips, (the liuely voice of the Ministry) peace, peace, (to bee the meane of abundant and constant peace) to him that is farre off, and to him that is neere, (to eueryevery one of mine Elect both Gentile and Iew) saith the Lord, and I will heale him, Esay 57. 19.
4. It is able to preserue and add knowledge and grace to them that hauehave best profited, I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace, which is able to build you vp, Acts 20. 32. And Marke 4. 24. to you that heare shall more be giuen.
3. Because it is the onelyonly euidence that we hauehave to shew, and whereby we claime eternall life, and whereby also we may be able to hold and 3.defend the right we hauehave vntounto it, against Sathan himselfe: Psal. 119. 111. Thy Testimonies hauehave I taken as an heritage for euer. As the deeds and euidence of mine eternall inheritance. The truth of this appeares in two points. 1. It is the onelyonly ground of our faith, and is therefore called the Word of faith: Rom. 10. 8. Whatsoeuer we belieue concerning our eternall saluation, is but a deceiueable fancie, vnlesse it be grounded vponupon the Word. Vnlesse by the Word we know, that Iesus Christ the Sonne of God hath satisfied Gods iustice for vsus: that through him wee hauehave obtained remission of all our sinnes, we can neuer hauehave any comfort in the hope of our saluation, through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, we come to true hope, Rom. 15. 4. When the Apostle Peter had spoken, 2. Pet. 1. of the ground of all that hee had taught the Church concerning Christ and their saluation, and said, verse 16. hee had not followed therein, cunningly deuised fables (such as many of the chiefe points of deuotion in the Romane Church which pretends to be built vponupon Peter, is grounded vponupon) he tells them, verse 19. what is the sure rule and ground to bee followed and rested vponupon in this case, We hauehave (saith he) a more sure word of Prophecie, &c. And as it is the onelyonly ground of our faith: so is it, Secondly, the onelyonly Touch-stone whereby we may trie, and surely know, that we are in the right way to saluation: whether our faith, repentance, louelove and workes be such, as God will accept of, Iohn 3. 21. by our comming vntounto this light our deeds shall bee made manifest that they are wrought according to God and by no other way.