Discourses of William Alleine, Discourse 3
THE THIRD DISCORUSE. A Sermon concerning the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures.
1 THESSALONIANS ij.xiij.
For this cauſe alſo thank we GOD without ceaſing, becauſe when ye received the word of God which you heard of us, ye received it not as the word of Men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh alſo in you that believe.
IN this Chapter you may obſerve two things. 1. Paul's Relation of the Story of his Preaching the Goſpel to the Theſſalonians, which for the manner was done with boldneſs, v. 2. and in ſincerity, not in guile, v. 3. not out of covetouſneſs, v. 5. but his ſincerity appeared in two things. 1. Becauſe his aim was to pleaſe God, v. 4. as pleaſing God. A ſervice is never pleaſing to God, unleſs it be our aim and deſire above all to pleaſe him. 2. In his moſt affectionate deſire of the Theſſalonians, 7.8. that is, that they might be won to Chriſt and be ſaved. Aiming at pleaſing God, and a deſire to win Souls to God, are always joyned together. Remember theſe two marks of ſincerity.
2. The ſucceſs of his Preaching the Goſpel, the good it wrought, for which he bleſſes God.
In the Text obſerve,
1. The Apoſtles Thankfulneſs and Praiſe offered up unto God: He doth not Sacrifice to his own Net, but caſts in his Net to catch Souls for Chriſt, and bleſſes God for what is done by him. The work is only God's, to make his word effectual, and all the Glory muſt be his. For this cauſe thank we God.
2. The matter of his Thankſgiving, and the ground of his praiſe. Becauſe when ye received the word of God, ye received as 'twas in Truth, i. e. as it ought to be received. And therein obſerve further.
1, The Divine Authority of the word aſſerted, As it is in Truth the word of God.
2. The manner how it muſt be received by men: As the word of God himſelf.
3. The way in which it comes to work effectually; that is, by believing it.
Doct. The word contained in the Books of the Old and New Teſtament, is in Truth the word of God: This is the firſt Stone that muſt be layed when you begin the work of ſaving your Souls; this is the Foundation of Religion; our Faith, our Hope, our Profeſſion of Religion is all vain, unleſs this Principle be rooted in our Hearts, Heb. 5.12. I may ſay of ſome of you as the Apoſtle of ſome of them, Ye have need that one teach you which be the firſt Principles of the Oracles of God. Now this is one of the firſt of thoſe firſt Principles: which that you may be inſtructed in. Four Truths are to be ſhewn.
Truth 1. That word which is held forth as God's, is ſo in Truth. It hath God for its Author. And if you ask as Chriſt concerning the Coin, whoſe Image and Superſcription hath it, the Anſwer is, God's, give then to God the things that are God's. You muſt not come with the Devil's Queſtion, no not in your hearts, yea, hath God ſaid it? But be like the Theſſalonians here, &c.
That there is a God that made the World and and all Creatures, I hope is certain to you; and that this God is to be worſhipped: There was a Law written in man's heart, which did teach him how God was to be worſhipped: but Sin hath almoſt blotted out this Law, ſo that there remains but here and there a Character of it, and impoſſible it is that thereby we ſhould come to a ſaving knowledge of the mind of God. 'Tis with us in reſpect of the things of God as with the Blind Man, Mar. 8.24. Christ put his hands upon him and askt if he ſaw ought: I ſee Men at Trees walking: So we in our natural condition, we ſee God as Man, and as Trees, and ſo fall to ſuch groſs Idolatries to worſhip ſtocks: we look on evil as good, on good as evil. Now as Chriſt did put his hands the ſecond time on the Blind Man, and then he ſaw clearly; ſo God muſt give his Law the ſecond time, and give us Eyes the ſecond time, and reſtore a divine and ſpiritual Light to us; then we ſhall ſee the things of God clearly. The former of theſe he hath done, he leſt his will upon Record, in the word, which in truth is his. The latter we muſt deſire him to do, if he hath not done it already; and as a means to further this, I ſhall endeavour to prove it to you. And here take Notice of three things as neceſſary to eſtabliſh you in this Truth.
1. There is the Spirit in Scripture giving Teſtimony to it, as Chriſt ſays, Though I bear witneſs of my ſelf, it is true, John 8.14. So the Spirit in Scripture giving witneſs to it ſelf, is true, John 3:33, 34. Faith receives that Teſtimony, 2 Tim. 3.16. All Sc…ipture, &c. 2. Pet. 1.21. Holy Men ſpeak, &c.
Truth 2. There are Arguments to be drawn from the word it ſelf to Evidence the Divine Authority.
As 1. The Power and Efficacy of the word. The word is quick and powerful, &c. Heb. 4.12. There is a twofold word of God.
1. There is the Eternally begotten word of God, that is, the Second Perſon, John 1.1. this is moſt Powerful, Omnipotent; becauſe he is God: All the great works of God were done by this word, v. 3. All things were made by him. He is called the Word, becauſe begotten of the Divine underſtanding beholding the Divine Eſſence: And as a word doth expreſs, and is the Image, the Conceit of the mind, ſo the Son is the expreſs Image of the Father. Now ſome underſtand that place of this word.
2. There is the written word of God, which may be called the word of the word of God. Chriſt is the word of the Father. This is the word of Chriſt, Col. 3.16. He is the great Prophet that revealed this word. Now as Chriſt is called the Power of God, becauſe by him all things were made, ſo this word is the power of Christ; 'tis a powerful Inſtrument in his hand, whereby he doth all great works, Rom. 1.16. deſtroying Satan's Kingdom, and ſetting up his own Kingdom, converting Souls, &c▪ and in this reſpect 'tis ſaid to be quick and powerful, &c. by this power Chriſt overcame the Devil, Math. 4.4, 7. 'Its written; now the power of the word is ſeen.
1. In conviction of the Conſcience, a wing and reſtraining mens Spirits: How many proud Hearts have been made to ſtoop and fall down before the power of the word, and to ſtand trembling before it, as Act. 24.25. Felix trembled and ſaid go thy way for this time, &c. he could not ſtand before the power of the word; and experience tells us what a power the word hath in awakning ſleepy Conſciences, in pricking Men at the Heart, that they know not what to do: in wounding Mens Spirits in ſuch a manner, as that the wiſe man ſays of it, a wounded Spirit who can bear? ſo as that the moſt exquiſite torments of the body are not to be compared with it; the ſcorching of Fire, the dividing betwixt the Joynts and Marrow, yea Death it ſelf is nothing to it: for would not a wounded Conſcience chooſe Death to be freed from the torment thereof? what a power is it that the word hath? when Men have gone on in Sin and taken great pleaſure in it, and when they hear what the word ſays, that ſuch muſt be damned, baniſh'd from the preſence of God, and be everlaſtingly tormented with Devils; and that this that the word ſpeaks, ſhould ſtrike ſuch unſpeakable terror to the Heart of Man; what doth this argue but that the word is powerful? Joh 18.6. as Chriſt ſpake but a word, and his Enemies that came to take him fell back; ſo that Mens proud and ſtubborn hearts ſhould fall down before the word, and are made to ſay as the Devils why art thou come to torment us? this ſhews that there is an Almighty God ſpeaking in the word: and this f…ther; That ſome Men yet in a natural condition, who love Sin as their own Souls, ſhould not dare to commit ſome Sins becauſe the word pronounceth Judgment; and that Men that hate holineſs, (as 'tis evident that many do) yet out of fear of Judgments denounced in the word, ſhould be brought to make ſome Profeſſion of Holineſs▪ that as the unclean Spirit fell down and confeſſed Chriſt to be the Son of God; ſo Men of unclean Hearts not renewed, are forced to confeſs the word is of God.
2. In the Converſion of Sinners: I may ſay concerning the Word as Chriſt in his Meſſage to John, The Dead are raiſed, the Deaf hear, the Dumb ſpeak, and t… the Poor the G…ſpel is Preached: that a word preached ſhould do this, ſhews it to be the word of God: ſo Men that are dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins are raiſed by it, the word doth bore ſome Mens Ears and make them hearken and obey it. Conſider, that Men that take ſuch great delight in Sin, (as we all do by Nature) working uncleaneſs with greedineſs, going to it as an hungry Man to his Meals, ready to pine away for the pleaſures of Sin, and be diſcontent when we cannot ſatisfy our Luſts, as it was with Ammnon. Now that any of us, becauſe the word ſays, ceaſe to do Evil, Sin no more, ſhould loath what we ſo dearly loved, and that our hatred of Sin ſhould be greater than our love was to it; and it may be ſome can tell the time, and remember the word that wrought ſuch a mighty change: what is to be concluded hence, but that this is none other but the word of God?
Again, we know how we love our ſelves by nature, even ſo as that ſelf-love is the ſupreme Law with corrupt Nature; now that ſuch an one ſhould (becauſe the word ſays if any Man will be my Diſciple let him deny himſelf,) caſt off ſelf-love, and ſelf-reſpects, and ſacrifice or give himſelf up to Chriſt, and be his only, and prize the Glory of God more than his own good, yea chooſe to undergo the greateſt Evils rather than diſhonour God, this ſhews the invincible power of the word.
Again, if you have any knowledge of your ſelves, you know what bitter enmity there is in our natures againſt holineſs; now, that becauſe the word commends holineſs, any of us ſhould come to delight in it; this likewiſe adds a Seal for the confirmation of this Truth, that the word is in truth Gods word.
Again you know how we naturally love the World, even ſo much that ſome can even in theſe plundering times, think it better to looſe our Lives than our Goods; now that any ſhould deſpiſe the world for Chriſt's ſake, and eſteem his Reproaches better Riches, only becauſe the word doth commend Chriſt above the World, and propoſe him as the beſt Good: What doth this argue but a divine efficacy of the word, and the power of a God, making uſe of his word as an inſtrument of his own to bring to paſs ſuch mighty works?
3. In confounding Chriſt's Enemies, Pſa. 8.2. Out of the mouths of Babes hast thou ordained ſtrength, to st…ll the Enemy: this ſtrength of mouth … Prayer, which is grounded on the word, and preaching: when men come with revengeful Spirits, and think to ſwallow up the People of God, the word ſhall ſtop and ſtill them; the word doth gather Men together and ſtir them up to fight againſt Anti-chriſt, Rev. 16 16. and Rev. 17.16. The ten hornes ſhall hate the Whore, &c. why? the word ſhall diſcover her: and hence 'tis ſaid. 2 Theſſ. 2.8. That Man of Sin ſhall be revealed &c. he ſhall deſtroy him with the Sword of his M…uth, and brightneſs of his coming. Dan. 2.34. A ſtone cut out of the Mountain without Hands, breaks the Feet of the Image, and that ſhall overcome the great Roman Monarchy: What is this ſtone, &c.? a poor, weak, diſpiſed People of God, called by the word, believing the ſame, and walking by it; theſe ſhall overcome all Antichriſtian powers, and as the worm Jacob, threſh the Mountains.
Uſe. To make ſome application of this by the way. Is there ſuch a power in the word? and may that be truly ſaid of the word, which is falſly of Simon Magus, it is the great Power of God?
1. Then take heed of deſpiſing it, Heb. 12.25. ſee that ye diſpiſe not, look well to it; if you deſpiſe the word, you diſpiſe the Power and Authority of God which is in it, and which ſhall be manifeſted by it, either in Converſion or Confuſion; either in unſpeakable Terror or Conſolation; either it ſhall be the power of God to ſave you, and then you muſt believe it, and receive it with all readineſs; or to condemn you if you deſpiſe it: if it do not now work effectually in you, to turn you from Sin into the obedience thereof, then it ſhall Judge you in the laſt day▪ now you may hear it ſpeaking comfortably to you, bringing the glad Tydings to your Souls of good things; of a Saviour that is offered to you, a Pardon proclaimed, Heaven opened to Men that are ſhut up under Sin and Wrath, that is, if you will now ſuffer your Conſciences to be awakned, to ſee what condition you are in, but if it be not hearkned to, it ſhall ſpeak terribly to you, and then you ſhall not ſleep when 'tis ſpoken, you ſhall not ſit careleſly under it as you do now; but then you ſhall know the Terrors of the Lord, you ſhall know the power of Divine Wrath; to prevent which, you ſhould deſire to feel the exceeding greatneſs of his Power in creating Faith in you, and the length and breadth of his Love which is revealed therein: ſo when the word is ſpoken to you, let me exhort you as the Prophet Jer. 13.15. Learn, be not proud the Lord hath ſpoken. Act. 13.41 Behold ye Deſpiſers and wonder, I'll work that you will not believe: If you will not believe what I have ſaid in the Word, Precepts and Promiſes, ſuch Judgments ſhall be brought on you which you would not before believe.
2. Believe the Word, reſt on it; be ſtrong in Faith: your Faith ſhall not be in vain, you reſt not then on a broken reed, but on the word of the great God, on the great Power of that God. The Power of God ſhall bring to paſs whatever the word hath ſaid, if you can believe: Whatever ye ſhall ask, believe ye ſhall receive it and ye ſhall receive it; 'tis the word of God. I will never fail thee nor forſake thee; Believe and the Power of God ſhall make it good, John 3.36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life. If any drink of the Waters I ſhall give, when thou paſſeſt through the Waters I will be with thee, and through the Fires, &c. Iſa. 43.2. Whoever ſhall gather together against thee ſhall fall, &c. Reſt now on theſe Promiſes, the Power of God ſhall make them good. How much comfort do we looſe; what weakneſſes and failings are we ſubject to; how much Sin do we fall into; and how much ſorrow do we create to our ſelves, and all for want of reſting on the Divine Power and Efficacy of the word. So ſay to Unbelief, Get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offence to me; the greateſt Enemy to Peace and Holineſs: Hereby 'tis that we ſavour not the things of God, his precious word; but the things that be of Men.
Arg. 2. 'Tis drawn from the Holineſs of the Word: Holineſs conſiſts in a conformity to the will of God, and giving Glory to him: This is a Principle ingrafted in Man's heart, That God is to be worſhipped, and that all Glory muſt be given to him, and that his Will is the Supreme Law: now in the word is the will of God perfectly revealed. The Moral Law requires that which none can deny, but 'tis moſt juſt and equal that it ſhould be done. In the Law of Nature we Sinners could never have read the will of God; but he having given the Moral Law which is nothing but the Law of Nature; ſo much is leſt of the Law of Nature, that there is none but in their Judgments muſt needs be convinced, that we are bound in Conſcience to obey it: ſo that the word gives us a perfect rule of Holineſs, it ſhews what God is, it advances him infinitly above all things; which we muſt ſet to our Seals ſhould be ſo: it ſays he is God, and there's none beſides him; that of him are all things; that he is the chief good, and our happineſs ſtands in enjoying him, and in his favour is our life. And it ſhews that he muſt be worſhipped with our whole ſelves, Soul and Body; that it is the worſhip of the Heart and Spirit he ſpecially requires, i. e. that we fear him and love him, and put our truſt in him: it ſhews the vanity of the Creature, and infinite perfection of God; it diſcovers the Evil of Sin, and the Beauty of Holineſs, 'tis a Creature-emptying, and God-advancing word: Whereas in other Doctrines and Religions beſides the word, 'tis otherwiſe; as in Popery and Popiſh Traditions; there is much Ceremony but little Subſtance; outward, pompous and bodily ſervice, little or none of the heart: The honour that is due to God, is given to Saints; Idols are worſhipped inſtead of God. And in the Turkiſh Alcoran, happineſs is placed in outward pleaſures and carnal delights. Now it is far otherwiſe in the Scriptures; In a word, theſe three things well weighed, if we can judge of any thing in matters of Religion, viz. That the Scripture ſtill gives all Glory to God, and places all Happineſs in God, and that it ſets forth conformity to God, and communion with God as our perfection, and alſo ſhews an exact way for attaining to both; the Law as a rule for conformity, and Chriſt as the way to communion with God; theſe things being ſeriouſly conſidered by us, would amount to a demonſtrative and moſt convincing Argument, That this is the very word of God.
Uſe. This may ſhew us that if we would be Holy we muſt look to the word, and take that for our rule. If we would Glorify God, and be Glorified by God, Study the word, and if we would worſhip God aright we muſt take the word for our rule: Evermore to the Law and Teſtimony, Iſa. 8.20. if you ſpeak not, and walk not according to this rule, 'tis becauſe there is no light in you. If the Cuſtom and Tradition of men prevail more then the word, 'tis becauſe you are ignorant of the holineſs and perfection of the word.
Arg. 3. Is drawn from the fulfilling of Prophecies and Promiſes. Prophecies of the Old Teſtament exactly fulfilled in the New. As thoſe great Prophecies of Chriſt, concerning which we often find this or that was ſaid or done, That it might be fulfilled which was ſpoke by the Prophets, Math. 1.22.2.15.—8.17.—12.17.—13.35.—21.4.—27 35. Mark 14.49.—15.28. Luke 4.21. John 12.38.—13.18.17.12. And many Prophecies of the word have been fulfilled, as that which is ſpoken of the Beaſt, Rev. 13. having ſeven Heads and ten Horns, and another v. 11. a Beaſt having two Horns like a Lamb, which ſet forth the Civil and Eccleſiaſtical Roman Empire; and when the Pope got both into his hands, he was both theſe Beaſts, and that Babylon ſpoken of is Rome, for that is the only City that hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 17.18. Thoſe that will Study the Revelations, and obſerve the workings of God's Providence, ſhall ſee ſome of thoſe Prophecies now fulfilling.
And ſo for Promiſes. Some there are that can ſay, God hath been as good to them as his word to them: he hath ſaid, Call on me on the time of trouble, I will hear: ſome do know that God is a a God hearing Prayers: Chriſt ſays, Come to me, &c. ſome have come to Chriſt and been refreſhed by him; and ſome having had unſpeakable Terrors, yet thus have been filled with as great Conſolations.
Uſe. This ſhould be a means to ſtrengthen our Faith in the word; know aſſuredly, that as Paul ſaid, Act. 27.25. it ſhall be even as he hath ſaid; it ſhall be to thoſe that fear him and truſt in him as he hath promiſed. The People of God heretofore have ſo found, and acknowledged, 1 Kin. 8.56. Bleſſed be the Lord that hath given rest to his People, according to all that he hath promiſed; there hath not failed one word of all his good promiſes; and many of us have had ſweet experience of Promiſes being fulfilled, which is the ſweetneſs of a Mercy, to ſee it firſt in a promiſe by Faith, and then to receive it out of the bowels of the promiſe: now this ſhould be food to nouriſh our Faith, Pſa. 74.14. Thou breakeſt the Heads of Leviathan in pieces; that is, deſtroyed Pharaoh and his great Hoſt in the Sea, and gaveſt him to be Meat for the People inhabiting the Wilderneſs, that is, to be meat for Faith; ſo ſhould thoſe promiſes that God hath fulfilled be to us: God hath broken the heads of many Leviathans, ſome inward Corruptions are ſubdued, Armies of the ungodly are many times ſcatter'd; this ſhould be food for our Faith: why ſhould we doubt of the fulfilling any promiſe, when God hath begun to fulfil ſome? this is our Manna. Bread f…om Heaven to ſuſtain us whilſt we inhabit the Wilderneſs.
Truth 3. To make all theſe Arguments demonſtrative and convincing is required an inward work of the Spirit upon the Heart: to this external light of Arguments muſt be added the internal light of the Spirit; For the things of God knoweth no Man, but the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2.11. ſo ſays Chriſt to Laodicea, that ſhe might ſee, I counſel thee to buy of me Eye-ſalve, that is, beg of me my Spirit. The Spirit inwardly inlight…ing the Heart is the Eye-ſalve, Rev 3.18. 1 Joh. 2.27. the anointing which you have received of him, abideth in you and teacheth you all things, and is Truth: The anointing; that is, the Spirit wherewith you are anointed: He is Truth, ſo as that he cannot lye: and he muſt give Teſtimony to the Truth in our Hearts, elſe we ſhall not believe it by a divine Faith; and he is Truth, ſo as that 'tis an Office he hath undertaken in the New Covenant to lead into all Truth; as he was promiſed by Christ, Joh. 16.13. The Spirit of Truth will guide you into all Truth. Joh. 15.26. The Spirit of Truth ſhall teſtify of me; and ſo of the Scripture he ſhall ſay to the Soul, that Christ who is ſpoken of in the Goſpel, is the Son of God? that the Scripture is the word of God: he ſhall aſcertain the Heart of this, and this two ways.
1. By a moral work, as the opening and expounding the word in the Miniſtry of it by exhortations, perſwaſions. Therein Truth is held forth and propounded to be embraced, and believed as the word of God; and this work of God may be reſiſted, as the Jews did reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt. Act. 7.51.
2. By a Phyſical work upon the heart, working a change in the Faculty, renewing us in the Spirit of our Minds, bringing in a ſpiritual light into the Soul, to enable it to diſcern the things of God▪ when this is done, then we ſhall know the word of God with as great, yea greater certainty than that the Sun ſhines when we ſee it; for certainty of Faith is greater than certainty of Senſe. Then we ſhall ſee the Authority of God in his word: when thus we have the Spirit of Truth, then ſhall we receive the word as it is in Truth the word of God; ſo that we may attain the full aſſurance of Faith in this particular, we muſt wait for the promiſe of the Holy Ghoſt, as Act. 1.4, 14. we cannot believe the word as it is outwardly propounded to us, unleſs it be inwardly revealed to our Hearts: now the Spirit of Truth who of neceſſity muſt be received by us before we can believe, is the Spirit of Promiſe, Eph. 1.13. that is a Spirit promiſed: ask him ſo, and he ſhall be given to us.
2. The knowledge of the Scripture to be the word of God containing the Myſteries of Salvation, is neceſſary to Salvation, Joh. 17.3. This is Life Eternal to know God and Chriſt; the diſtinct knowledge of God as Creator, as Omnipotent, moſt holy is neceſſary; and as moſt good, and that Man's happineſs conſiſts in the enjoyment of God, and that Man is fallen from God, and hath loſt his Image in Holineſs, and his preſence which is Life: this is evident that we in our natural condition are alienated from the life of God, and are ignorant of him. Eph. 4.18. now the Scripture makes God known, and ſhews how we fell from G…d; and the principal ſcope of it is to d…ſcover Chriſt to the World as a Saviour and Mediator, by whom Sinners are reconciled to God, and reſtored to Communion with him: now then that we may be ſaved, its neceſſary that we ſearch the Scriptures, for theſe only are able to make us wi…e to Salvation; ſo we ſhall know God, our Selves, and a Saviour. 2 Tim. 3.16. there is knowledge of God by his Creatures, foreign, are known by the things that are made, Rom. 1.2…. and there is Scripture-knowledge of God; there God is known in his Son, the fulneſs of the Godhead is in him, he is the expreſs Image of the Father.
3. The knowledge of what the Scripture reveals is ſufficient to Salvation; this is enough to make the Man of God perfect, there is no need of Mens additions; there's nothing more that's needful to be done; this furniſhes to all good works, nothing more to be believed. Joh. 20.31. Many more Signs Jeſus did, but theſe are written that ye might believe: what the Scripture reveals is Gold and Silver, fit to help towards raiſing up a ſpirit…al building; what is added by Men is Wood, Hay, and Stubble. 1 Cor. 3.12. we ſay in matters that appertain to the worſhip of God, and our Salvation, as our Saviour of Communication, Math. 5.37. let your Communication be yea, yea, nay, nay; for whatever is more than theſe cometh of Evil; ſo whatever more than the word is urged or practiſed in matters of Religion, cometh of Evil, i. e. from the Devil principally, and from our own corrupt and proud hearts immediately, as if they were wiſer than God, and could teach him how he may be ſerved and we ſaved: God hath ſealed up his word in ſuch a manner, as that no addition may be made to it. See the Law, Deut. 4.2. Ye ſhall not add to the word which I command, nor dimin…ſh from it: by that the Jewiſh Talmud is excluded; and for Prophets, we may obſerve that the Goſpel is begun with what the Prophets are concluded: as Malachy the laſt Prophet concludes Mal. 4.5. with this, Behold I will ſend you Elija the Prophet, and Mark begins with this, Chap. 1.1, 2. The beginning of the Goſpel as it is written in the Prophets, behold I ſend my M ſſenger. By this thoſe Books juſtly called Apocrypha are excluded; and the laſt book of the New Teſtament. Rev. 22.18. is concluded thus▪ Whoever ſhall add unto theſe things, God ſhall add unto him the Plagues that are written therein: Conſider two things; firſt, that there muſt be no detracting, and ſecondly no adding, &c.
4. The Scripture is clear in thoſe things which are abſolutely neceſſary to Salvation, it ſhews plainly what is to be believed. Three Perſons, One God: what is to be done, the word is nigh in thy mouth and in thy heart; if thou ſhalt believe in thine heart, and confeſs with thy mouth, the Lord Jeſus, thou ſhalt be ſaved; that word doth moſt plainly deliver things neceſſary to Salvation: true indeed, ſome things are hard to be underſtood, 2 Pet. 3.16. yet enough to Salvation is plainly diſcovered: ſo that if any do periſh through Ignorance, their Ignorance ſhall not excuſe them; the Scripture is clear in this, that we are loſt and undone Creatures by nature, that all we like Sheep have gone aſtray, and that Chriſt Jeſus came into the World to ſave Sinners; and that only ſuch as believe in him, renouncing their own Righteousneſs or abilities, to do any thing in the buſineſs of their Salvation; I ſay ſuch only ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life: the Scripture is plain in this, that only Saints ſhall ſee God; that no Whoremongers, &c. ſhall ſee God: If Perſons be of very weak capacities, yet ſuch is the plaineſs and clearneſs of the Scriptures, in things that are abſolutely neceſſary, that they may underſtand them: here is milk for Babes, as well as ſtronger meats for more experienced Chriſtians. As there are great Depths for Elephans to ſwim, ſo ſhallows for Lambs to wade through: as there are ſome things hard to be underſtood, which the unlearned do wreſt, &c. ſo there others eaſy to be underſtood, which the unlearned may follow to their Salvation; then let none plead their want of parts as a ground of their neglect of the word, as if it were only for men of Learning to ſearch into it; but as all have Souls to ſave, ſo let all that have the uſe of Underſtanding and Reaſon, ſearch the word that they may be ſaved; and great encouragement there is, becauſe if Men are willing to learn and know the things of their Salvation, and of Chriſt's Kingdom, they have a Promiſe from God to be taught; Joh. 6.45. Hebr. 8.10. we know God did inable Children to ſing Hoſanna to Chriſt, Math. 2…. Iſa. 32.4. The heart of the raſh inconſiderate Men ſhall underſtand knowledge, and the Tongue of the Stammerer ſhall be ready to ſpeak plainly; they ſhall be all taught of God that are willing to learn of God; and the Spirit that leads into all truth is a Spirit of Promiſe.
Uſe firſt. Reproof of two ſorts.
1. Thoſe that receive not the word of God with ſo much reſpect as the word of Man: And it is to be obſerved for the moſt part, that if the word be not received with the reſpect that is due to the word of God, then it is received with leſs reſpect than is due to the word of Man. If the word be not embraced as God's, 'tis deſpiſed more than Man's. If Men love it not above any word, they hate it more than any word; and what's the reaſon?
1. Becauſe it is a great Enemy to what Men do naturally love as their own Souls. If they receive not the word ſo as above all to deſire to yield obedience to it, then they hate it; for it reproves for an Herodias, it forbids that which is Mens great delight to follow; it contemns the World, and it condemns Sinners: Hence if the word be not embraced as the word of God, with that Fear, and Reverence that is due to it, 'tis hated and deſpiſed more than the word of Man. Thus 'tis with all thoſe that take delight in Sin, and greedily hunt after the things of the World, and care for nothing but to ſatisfy their own Luſts and deſires; they can't but hate the Light becauſe their deeds are evil. There is hardly a medium betwixt theſe two, a receiving of, and ſubmitting to the whole word as God's, and a hatred of it in ſome parts at leaſt: every Sinner hath ſuch a diſpoſition to the word, as Ahab to Michaiah, I hate him becauſe he Prophecies not good to me; ſo the word gives not a tolleration to commit Sin, which is only good in a natural Man's Eye, and therefore 'tis hated.
2. Pride is another reaſon: That which is generally condemned to be the Devil's firſt Sin, is our great Sin, Pride; the Devil thought himſelf too high to ſubmit, ſo he rebelled againſt God; that he might Rule, he'll uphold and maintain a Kingdom againſt God, rather than ſubmit to God, though he know that he ſhall be deſtroyed for it in the end: now there is this deviliſh diſpoſition in every one of our hearts; the pride of them lifts us up againſt God; we of our ſelves chuſe to be our own Lords, though we deſtroy our ſelves hereby, rather than Chriſt rule over us that we might be ſaved: Who is Lord over us is a queſtion ariſing from that proud diſpoſition of our Hearts; the proud Men in Jeremiah ſaid, as for the word thou haſt ſpoken in the Name of the Lord, we will not do it; this we all do, if God do reveal his word, and not work by his Spirit.
2. Thoſe are to be reproved that receive it but as the word of Man: ſome do in a ſort receive the word, and think that they receive it aright; yet 'tis but as the word of Man, as
1. When they have nothing elſe to ground their Faith upon then humane Teſtimony; if the ſhould be asked, why they believe the word to be God's? can give no other reaſon, then that their Fathers and Mothers ſaid ſo; and 'tis generally ſo believed and embraced: now thoſe that believe it becauſe others believe it, receive it only as the word of Man; ſo the Papiſts receive it as the word of Men; and all that have no teſtimony from the Spirit, no true work on their hearts, &c.
2. Thoſe that perform Duties that are required in the word to be ſeen of Men; as did the Phariſees, they Faſted, Prayed, and gave Almes; were zealous of the Law, all to be ſeen of Men; they ſought the praiſe of Men: now they that do any thing that the word requires, to be ſeen of Men, ſee not God in his word; they that love the praiſe of Men, and out of that ſeem to be Religious, receive the word only as the word of Men: then ſays our Saviour, how can ye believe? 'tis impoſſible ye ſhould receive the word as God's, and believe it by a divine Faith, if ye ſeek Honour one of another. Joh. 5.44. therefore if you come to pray and hear, only to ſatisfy Man's expectations of you, you receive it but as Man's word.
3. Thoſe that take up Mens Ordinances as of equal authority with the word, are as zealous for a humane form of prayer as for the word, &c. they that make Man's words equal with God's, make God's word no better than Man's, therefore ſaid our Saviour, Math. 15.3, 9. By your Traditions you make void, &c. you urge your Traditions, as if they were ſo neceſſary as the word; and hereby you make void the word. That hath not any authority amongſt you as the word of God; for Men to ſet their Threſholds by God's, their Poſts by his, is to defile his holy name, Ezek. 43.7, 8. that i…, by making God no better than Man.
4. When Men look on the word as binding the outward Man, and not the heart: that Religion conſiſts in a bodily exerciſe; that it is ſufficient if we come with our bodies before God, and honour him with our lips; as Men think it enough if you yield outward obedience to their commands, for they have no power over the Conſcience: Now if it be thus in matters of Religion, that our hearts are not brought into obedience to the word, that we think our thoughts and affections are free, and our hearts being looſe, &c. The Phariſees gave this Interpretation of the Law: anger, hatred, ſpeculative uncleanneſs they thought were no breaches of the Law; when 'tis thus, the word is received but as the word of Man. Now how many are there that in theſe ways only receive the word of God?
5. When the word is received but in word only. 1 Theſſ. 15. The Goſpel came not to you in word only, but in Power. The word comes only in word, when 'tis not accompanied and ſet home on the heart, by power of the Holy Ghoſt; as on Lydia and the Jailor. Act. 16.
Uſe 2. Exhort. To ſtir you up to look on, and to receive the word as the word of God. Hear, and give ear, be not proud for the Lord hath ſpoken. Jer. 13.15. 'Tis God that ſpeaks in the word, God ſpeaks Promiſes, God ſpeaks Threatnings, and Commands; look on each of theſe as coming out of the mouth of God: the word is called the Spirit of Chriſt's mouth. 2 Theſſ. 2.8. you muſt not only receive it in the Letter, ſo indeed only it comes from Man; but as the Spirit of Chriſt's mouth, as breathed out of his mouth, and ſo as that it proves not a dead and an ineffectual Letter, but a quickning Spirit in you; that is, a new principle of Life, a new Soul in you; ſo as that you live by the word, act, and do all according to it.
Now for direction, that the word may be received by us as the word of God, know that ſomething is due to the whole word, and every part of it, as more general duties; and ſomething is to be done (that is ſome ſpecial Duties) with reſpect to the ſeveral parts of the word, as diſtinguiſhed one from another.
1. That which is due to the whole word, conſider in theſe particulars.
1. Faith: you muſt believe it to be the word of God, upon a clear apprehenſion of the Divine Authority of it: your aſſent muſt be grounded on the teſtimony of God: Conſider, there is a divine Faith, and a humane Faith; this is, when we believe a thing upon Man's teſtimony given of it, as the Samaritans believed in Chriſt for the ſaying of the woman, this was but a humane Faith: Divine Faith is when we believe a thing and give an aſſent to the truth of it upon a divine teſtimony that is given to it; as the Samaritans believed in Chriſt when they heard him, and ſaid, now we have heard him and know that this is the Chriſt; this was a divine Faith: now this is neceſſary to a right receiving of the word.
Queſt. Where is this Divine Teſtimony that is given to the word?
Anſw. 'Tis contained in the word it ſelf; for as there is a light in the Sun ſufficient to diſcover it ſelf, ſo that when the Sun ſhines, its own light ſhews it to be the Sun; ſo there is a divine Light in the word, ſufficient to ſhew it to be the word of God.
Queſt. Why do not all then believe it to be ſo?
Anſw. Becauſe Men are blind, and know nothing of the things of God, neither are they able to judge of them: the light of the Sun diſcovers the Sun, but 'tis to thoſe that can ſee the light of it: ſo the word ſhews its divine Authority but to thoſe that are inlightned; ſo we muſt have the Spirit as eye-ſalve reſtoring our Spiritual Sight, and then we ſhall ſee clearly the word to be the word of God; and this is the firſt duty: we muſt receive the word as the Theſſ. Chap. 1.15. the Goſpel came not in word, but power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and much aſſurance.
2. Fear. Iſa. 66.2. To him God looks that trembles at his word. There is twofold trembling at God's word.
1. Slaviſh, only out of fear of Judgment, thus Ahab, and thus Felix trembled.
2. Filial; this is here meant, God looks to that heart that when it looks to God, and ſees any thing of him, trembles: now this is a diſpoſition of heart that's required to the right receiving the word; you muſt tremble at the word: that is, firſt, there muſt be in you an holy awfulneſs, humility and …everence of Spirit, ſuitable to the Greatneſs and Majeſty, Goodneſs, Glory of that God that gave his word: this is contrary to that pride of heart which is in every one of us by nature: when ever we have any manifeſtations or goings forth of the Glory of God, the out goings of our hearts muſt be ſuited hereto.
2. You muſt have an apprehenſion of your own vileneſs and nothingneſs. Ezek. 2.18. there was an appearance of the Glory of God, when I ſaw it I fell on my Face, as apprehending his own unworthyneſs to behold it.
2. There are ſpecial duties that reſpect ſeveral parts of the word.
1. Hiſtories related; as of the Creation, of the fall of Man, drowning the world, &c. here you muſt believe the report as made by God, and give not God occaſion to complain as the Prophet, Lord, who hath believed our report? and look on all theſe as written for our Learning, on whom the ends of the World are come.
2. There is a Saviour deſcribed and ſet forth; which is the main ſcope of the Scripture: the eternally begotten word revealed in the written word, that came to deſtroy the works of the Devil, to ſave Sinners, &c. him you muſt embrace withal your hearts, entertain him as Abraham did: the whole word is a Goſpel bringing glad tydings of Chriſt: the old Teſtament is Goſpel throughout, in which Chriſt is (though more darkly) ſet forth; and in the New Teſtament more clearly: ſo that this is to embrace the word, to receive him whoſe name is the word of God. Rev. 19.13. to ſee Chriſt in his fulneſs of Glory, Merit, &c. and to receive him as the word of the Father; this is to receive the word in power, to receive Chriſt into our hearts, and to have him revealed in us, and to have him formed within us; ſo as that Chriſt live, acts, and rules in us▪
3. There are Promiſes: Now to receive theſe as the word of God, is to quiet our Souls in dependance on them, and aſſurance that they ſhall be fulfilled; that as his faithfulneſs hinds him, ſo his Power ſhall bring forth his Promiſes into Act. Say as Paul, I believe God that it ſhall be as he hath ſaid, that not one jot ſhall paſs unfulfilled: you muſt know Chriſt to be the faithful witneſs. Rev. 1.5.
4. When Judgments are threatned; know that there is a Righteouſneſs, and Faithfulneſs in God that engages him to make them good; we are as averſe from believing Threatnings as Promiſes: therefore as God has confirmed his Promiſes by an Oath, ſo Threatnings likewiſe. Amos. 9.8.10. The Sinners among God's People ſaid, Evil ſhall not overtake nor prevent us. Deut. 32.40. If I lift up my hand to Heaven and ſay, I live for ever, I will make mine Arrows drunk with Blood: Now to receive this word, is to fear God and to prepare to meet him, as Jacob by wreſtling, &c. Iſa. 26.8, 9. Hoſ. 12.2, 3, 4, 6.
5. When God gives Precepts and lays Commands on us, know that the Holineſs, Majeſty, and Goodneſs of God deſerves Obedience, and ſing as the 24 Elders. Rev. 4. ult. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Honour, &c. you muſt ſee the greateſt reaſon of yielding Obedience.
Now theſe qualifications make up that honeſt and good heart. Luk. 8.15. That having heard the word keeps it, &c. by this try the honeſty of your hearts; many think they have honeſt hearts, becauſe they hate no man, do no Injury, but are upright in their dealings; but here's a way to try the honeſty of your hearts indeed; do you not hate ſome part of the word; there is ſelf-denial, mortification of Luſts required, heavenly mindedneſs, a ſeeking the praiſe of God only, and not of Men. Joh. 5.42, 43, 44. Rom. 2.29.
Signs of true receiving the word of God.
1. Holding faſt the word unde… Perſecutions. Luk. 8.15. there are four ſorts of Hearers, only the laſt that believe the word a…ight, and they grow by it and live on it, and according to it; and when Perſecutions do ariſe for the word's ſake, a mock or ſcoff from Men is not ſo grievous as the word is precious: As Chriſt endured the contradiction of Sinners, ſo can they; this is ſet forth as the higheſt of Chriſt's Sufferings. Heb. 12.3. Conſider him that endured Contradiction of Sinners, &c. and mockings are called Cruel, they are hard to be born. Heb. 11.36. theſe will try whether the word be received and bleſt, ſo as to ſee Sin the greateſt Evil.
2. If it work effectually to thorough Conviction, and Converſion, ſo that all high Imaginations ſtoop, and the ſtrong holds of Sin are demoliſhed. Agrippa was almoſt perſwaded: So the word did not work effectually in him: The Jews did halt between two Opinions, when the word works effectually, then Men will pitch on Joſhua's choice, I will ſerve the Lord, Joſh. 24.15. and the World will be deſpiſed for the word's ſake. You will go into Patmos for the word, as John did. Revelat. 1.9. rather than leave the word to eſcape Perſecution.
This Diſcourſe concluding ſo abruptly ſeems Imperfect, but the Authors Notes proceed no further.