One-Hundred Forty-Five Sermons Upon John 17, Sermon 91
SERMON XCI. Of the Cauſes of Sanctification, and in particular of Gods Word as the Instrumentall Cauſe.
JOHN 17.17.
Sanctifie them by thy truth, thy Word is Truth.
WE are now come to the Manner, or rather the Inſtrumentall Cauſe of our Sanctification, and that is Truth, Sanctifie them by thy truth. Some underſtand this foreign for as much as foreign, truly, ſincerely; and ſo thoſe that limit this Sanctification to their Miniſterial Separation for to preach the Word of God, make it an oppoſition to Legall Cuſtoms. For whereas the Prieſts of the Old Teſtament, being to enter into the Sanctuary, did not only firſt waſh their hands and their feet, but put on glorious Garments. Thus (ſay they) Chriſt prayed that thoſe Apoſtles, whom he was commiſſionating to preach the Goſpel over the whole world, might be, though not externally ſanctified, yet internally, by a more plentifull and copious enjoyment of the holy Ghoſt. But this is too much reſtrictive:
Others there are that underſtand it finally, foreign for foreign, Sanctifi… them to the Truth, that they may be fitted and furniſhed to publiſh it.
Others by truth underſtand Chriſt, who is the eſſentiall Truth, but the words following demonſtrate, what is meant by Truth, even The word of God; So that our Saviours purpoſe is to informe, what is that ſaving Medium, and inſtituted Organ of our Sanctification, even The word of God From hence obſerve.
Obſerv. That the word of God is the inſtrument of our ſanctification.That the word of God made known to us, is the inſtrument of God to our Sanctification. It's by this waters ſide, that a godly man being like a tree planted, doth bring forth much fruit. Are any luſts too ſtrong for thee? Are any corruptions too powerfull? This is a two-edged ſword to be the death of them. Art thou dull, cold and lukewarm in matters of Religion? This is the fire to inflame thee. Art thou fainting and dejected with divers temptations? This is the Apothecaries-ſhop, that hath all kinde of refreſhments for thee, no diſeaſe but may be cured, no doubt but may be anſwered. Hence the Scripture is commended unto us, 2 Tim. 3.16. for that which is profitable to inſtruction, correction, ſo as to make a man of God much more a private Chriſtian perfect and thorowly furniſhed to every good work.
The explication of the point The neceſſity of learned officers in the Church.But this Point deſerveth ſome Explication.
Firſt, We ſay the Word of God made known unto us, is thus an inſtrument; and this bringeth in the neceſſity of Officers in the Church, who by their Gifts and Miniſtry are to interpret and publiſh the Word of God to us. For if the Scriptures be kept in the Originall Tongue, they are unknown to moſt people, and ſo are like a Candle under a Buſhell, or like a Fountain ſealed up. God therefore who hath appointed his Word as a Rule, hath alſo given gifts to men, that there may be ſuch, who ſhall divide this Word aright, and give his children fit meat in their due ſeaſon; So that if a man ignorant of the Tongues, ſhould have a Bible in Hebrew and Greek, What good could he get by it, till tranſlated and interpreted? This is like a veil upon the Scripture, and therefore doth as much hinder our underſtanding, as if we had a veil upon our hearts: Hence it hath been the good Providence of God, to raiſe up ſuch able and willing men, who have been ready to tranſlate the Scripture into all kinde of Languages, that ſo every Nation might have it in their known Tongue. We ſay therefore the Word of God made known to us is thus powerfull.
Secondly, We ſay it's Inſtrumentall: Now there is a two-fold Inſtrument,The Word is Gods inſtrument, and faith is mans. as to our purpoſe, both which meeting together, the Word produceth it's compleat effects, There is Gods Inſtrument, that which he hath appointed on his part; And then, There is that which is Inſtrumentall on our part, and that is Faith. As in the fore-mentioned place of 2 Timothy 3.16. The Scriptures are able to make thee wiſe to ſalvation, through faith: So that as Chriſt, who is the eſſentiall Word of God, dwels in our hearts by faith. Thus the Scriptures the revealed Word of God, become effectuall to us by believing, The Word did not profit the Iſraelites, becauſe not mingled with faith, Heb. 4.6. So that as the Word of God is a neceſſary inſtrument on Gods part; Thus faith is a neceſſary inſtrument on mans part: Whenſoever God cauſeth his Word to be publiſhed, be thou ready to prepare a believing heart. This is that which diffuſeth the Word through the whole ſoul. The Word is Bread, but it's faith that eats it, and digeſts it. No Sermon can ever doe thee the leaſt good, unleſſe Faith write it down in thy heart. Goe home believing ſuch places of Scripture, and this will antidote againſt ſinne: If humane Faith can turne a man wholly upſide downe, How much more may divine Faith?
Thirdly, We ſay it's Inſtrumentall, therefore the Word of God preached,The Word is not the principal or efficient, but the inſtrumental cauſe. is not the principall, or the efficient: No, though we have ten thouſand Teachers, and they all like Angels, yet truth could never ſanctifie us, unleſſe God give a bleſſing to it; and therefore you ſee here, Chriſt prayeth to God, that he would ſanctifie them by his truth, intimating, That though they underſtood it never ſo clearly, and remembred it never ſo firmly, yet if God bleſſe it not to this ſanctifying uſe, they are like a Rock under much rain, that never brings forth any fruit, and in three particulars we muſt neceſſarily acknowledge Gods efficiency.The neceſſity of Gods efficiency. Without Gods bleſſing men may by the Scriptures through interpretation be corrupted.
Firſt, Though men be never ſo expert and diligent in the Scripture, yet if God bleſſe them not with a ſeeing eye, and a ſpirituall underſtanding, in ſtead of being ſanctified by the Word, they are through miſ-interpretations corrupted: Doth not the Apoſtle Peter tell of ſome, who through their ignorance did wreſt the Scripture to their perdition, 2 Pet. 3.16? There are many Heretiques and erroneous perſons, who are full of Scripture, will alledge many places of Gods Word, but putting their corrupt gloſſes upon it, it's no more Gods truth, but mans errour, and therefore are not ſanctified by it, in which ſenſe Luther called the Bible, The Heretiques book, becauſe they would all confidently boaſt, they grounded their opinions upon that Book, when indeed it was upon their own corruptions: Oh then, beſides frequent knowledge and excellent memory of the Scripture, know a further thing is requiſite, even the Spirit of God to lead thee by this Rule into the truth, elſe it is with the Scripture, as it was with that pillar in the wilderneſs, it was light to the Iſraelites to guide them, but darkneſs to the Egyptians.
2. The Word of God is not bleſſed to ſanctifie our affections, and reform our corruptions, unleſſe God come in as the principal, cauſe. As the Prophets ſervant could do no good in raiſing the dead childe, till the Prophet his Maſter came; ſo though thou take up the Scripture, reade ſuch a place an hundred times over againſt that very ſinne thou liveſt in, yet it doth not ſanctifie till God ſet it home upon thee. Nicodemus was groſly ignorant about the work of Regeneration, yet no doubt being a Maſter in Iſrael, he had often read that promiſe, That God would take away an heart of ſtone, and give an heart of fleſh: and doth not ſad experience tell us, of many that have great knowledge in Scripture, yet they live prophanely and groſly? It's true, ſuch men are to look for greater condemnation then others, but yet how common is it for ſuch who know, and read the Word of God, yet not to be reformed in their lives thereby. Though they look in this glaſs, yet they waſh not thoſe loathſome ſpots that are upon them, conclude the Scriptures are not in their proper uſe to thee, till they have reformed thee from ſuch ſins, as thou didſt formerly live in?
3. The people of God, though they have a ſpiritual life within them, yet under deſertions and temptations finde not the Word of God effectual for joy and conſolations, till God bring ſuch texts, and ſuch promiſes cloſe to their ſoul. That we, ſaith Paul, through the Scriptures might have conſolations, 2 Cor. 1. And David doth often acknowledge, That the word of God did comfort and revive him; but let a godly man groaning under the guilt of ſinne, hear the ſound of the Goſpel a thouſand times over, yet he will remain like dried bones, and a parched wilderneſs, till God ſanctifie it: Oh how often have the people of God deſired comfort and aſſurance, read over the promiſes again and again, gone to the Miniſters of the Goſpel to have oyl poured in their wounds, yet not the Law, but even the Goſpel hath been made a dead letter, till the Spirit of God doth comfort in and by it, the Word then of God, though inſtrumental, yet is but inſtrumentall, it's not a principal.
Inſtrumentall Cauſes are phyſical, natural or moral.Fourthly, When we ſay it's Inſtrumentall to Sanctification, we are to diſtinguiſh of inſtrumental cauſes: For there are Phyſical and Natural Inſtruments, which work by an inherent and natural power, and there are Moral Inſtruments, which work by the ſole inſtitution and appointment of another. Now the Word of God is not inſtrumental to Sanctification in the former, but in the later way. The Word doth not by any inherent vertue and efficacy in a natural manner purifie the heart, but by Gods appointment and his voluntary co-operation, when and where he will; For if it did work thus naturally, then whereſoever the Word is preached, it would ſanctifie, it would heal: As the fire whereever it is, in one Countrey as well as in another, it doth burn, but experience doth confute this, Are there not two hearing the Word of God, the one is ſanctified, the other not? At the ſame Sermon one is humbled, made tender; The other is more obſtinate and hardened: Whence comes all this diverſity under the Word preached, but becauſe it is not a natural inſtrument?
Again, If the word of God did convert and ſanctifie naturally, then the grace of God could not ſo much be amplified and magnified, which yet the Scriptures do. Though it be Gods goodneſs, that the Sunne ſhineth, the fire burneth, yet we do not ſpeak of it, or call it his grace, but if the Word of God ever touch and heat any mans heart, if it ever reform his life, this is the meer grace of God. By which it appeareth, That the Word of God is inſtrumental only by Gods inſtitution, and where he commands it to work, there it works; where he requireth it to break down all oppoſitions, there it hurrieth all down before it; Inſomuch that ſometimes the moſt unlikely and prophaneſt enemies to godlineſs, they are changed by the Word,One cauſe muſt not be oppoſed to other cauſes. and thoſe that are very ingenuous and civilly diſpoſed, remain in a perverſe oppoſition.
5. When we ſay, The Word of God is inſtrumentall to our Sanctification, this is not to be oppoſed to thoſe other cauſes, which God hath appointed. Grace is the efficient cauſe, and Chriſt the meritorious cauſe, onelyonly this is the medium; God who could convert immediately, and reach home to our ſouls, as he did to the Prophets by an immediate Revelation, hath taken this way. That as it's the goodneſs of God in natural things, though he be the firſt and univerſall cauſe, and ſo could do all things immediately himſelf, yet he hath ordained ſecond cauſes, who have their derived cauſality. Thus it hath pleaſed God in the Government of his Church, to uſe means and external helps, the Word and Sacraments, thereby to work grace, when yet he could change the hearts of men immediately, or communicate himſelf to his Church, as he did once without Scriptures; When therefore you hear many oppoſe the Scripture to the Spirit, and the Miniſtry in the Church to Chriſts teaching, this is abſurd and tends to the diviſion of thoſe cauſes, which God hath ſo wiſely joyned together. The Spirit and the Scripture muſt not be oppoſed, nor Chriſts teaching and the Miniſters; for that Rule is true here, Quando duorum unum eſt propter aliud, ſunt ut unum.
Sixthly, The Word thus made known, The Word is the ordinary means.is the ordinary means both of our beginning and increaſe in Sanctification. Two things are couched in this particular, 1. It's the ordinary means; ſo that what God may do in extraordinary caſes, is not for us to diſpute, but ordinarily there is no other way to beget and increaſe grace but this. Neither may we ſay this is diſhonourable to God, to binde him to one way; for it hath pleaſed himſelf to appoint the communication of his grace by the Word ordinarily; ſo that as in naturall things, he will give light to the world only by the Sunne, though he could do otherwiſe; Therefore the Sunne was not made till the fourth day, to ſhew us, that God could give light to the world without a Sunne. Thus it is alſo in ſpiritual things, though God could otherwiſe communicate his graces, yet he hath pleaſed to appoint this ordinary way: So that there is no expectation of the Spirit, but in the Word, as the Word can no wayes avail without the Spirit, and it's the goodneſs of God that he hath commanded all ſpirits to be tried by this Rule, and if not conforming to it, to reject them, which could not be, if the voice of the Spirit could be heard any other way, but in and by the Scriptures, we then are bound to come to this pool; if we will have the divine moving not of an Angel, but of the Spirit of God. As the Iſraelite that would eſcape death was to keep within his doors, and thoſe within the Ark, who would enjoy Gods Protection. Thus muſt ſuch keep within the bounds of the Scripture, who expect Gods Spirit to guide them. But although we are thus bound to expect Sanctification onelyonly in this means, yet we cannot ſay, that God hath bound himſelf to work theſe effects alwayes, for though he will not ordinarily diſpenſe his grace, but in this way, yet he will not alwayes accompany this way, yea it's the ſavour of death to many, 2 Cor. 2 16.
Hence in the ſeventh place, The word of God, The word to ſome through their wickednes becomes an inſtrument of greater ſinfullneſs.though it be ex ſe and quoad inſtitutionem, an inſtrument of Sanctification, yet to ſome accidentally through their corruption, it becomes an inſtrument of greater ſinfulneſſe and wickedneſſe So that commonly there are no greater ſinners under Heaven, then in the Church, and in the Church none greater then where the beſt and moſt powerfull means of grace are. It was thus with the Jews, Col. 6. who enjoyed beſides the ordinary Miniſtry of their Prieſts, the inſtructions of extraordinary Prophets, and yet the truth of God did not ſanctifie them; But go (ſaith God to the Prophet) make their eyes blinde, and their hearts hard; and this our Saviour did apply to their poſterity alſo, who enjoyed Chriſt himſelf, and ſaw all the wonderfull miracles he did. This is a dreadfull and terrible thing to conſider of, when in ſtead of ſanctifying, God ſhall ſay, Harden them, blinde them, and make them more wicked by the truth. It's not the Word worketh thus of it ſelf, but wicked hearers through their unbelief, and unprofitableneſs, provoke God to give them up to believe a lie; and for the abuſe of heavenly light, they are given up to vile affections, To many curſed ſins, which is a greater judgment then to be caſt into the mouth of wilde beaſts, for they will only devoure the body, but theſe will damn the ſoul.
Ʋſe of Direction to all the people of God, whoſe burden and grief it is, that they have no more holineſs, who cry out like the horſleech, It's not enough, and their ſouls refuſe all comfort, becauſe they cannot climb up this hill to Heaven faſter; let ſuch be directed to take the right way; How willingly is the earthly man ready to hear how he may get more wealth? and the languiſhing man, how he may get more health and ſtrength? Why then ſhouldſt not thou rejoyce to know which is the way to purifie the heart more? Few know the divine efficacy of Gods Word, but ſuch who ſet themſelves to get the vertue of it. And that this may be inſtrumentall to your Sanctification,
In the firſt place, Remember faith, without which it can do no more good then excellent medicines, if they be not applied, ſet faith a work, and then the word of God will powerfully work upon thee. It's with thee as thou believeſt. Believe, and thoſe high mountains of luſts ſhall be thrown down.
2. Bring an humble, tender and trembling heart at the teaching of it. Such an heart King Joſias had, and he is commended for it, yea Ezra 9.4. it's the character of the godly to tremble at his Word. The hard heart, no more then the hard Rock, can receive the ſeed ſown into it.
3. It's not enough to receive the Word of God at firſt, but keep it there. The Apoſtle Peter cals it, the ingraffed Word, the Word that turneth us into the nature of it, that we are walking Bibles, as great Schollers are called walking Libraries. David ſaid, He had hid Gods word in his heart; This is the leaven that will diffuſe it ſelf.
4. Reſt not in the bare hearing, but joyn earneſt and fervent prayer, that the Spirit of God may teach inwardly, while the Word doth outwardly.
Ʋſe 2. Of Inſtruction, How terrible a thing it is to ſee men grow more wicked and ungodly, by how much the more plentifully they enjoy the Word, that the Word ſhould work contrary to it's nature upon thee, that this light ſhould put out thy eyes, that this life ſhould bring thee to death? Oh the rivers of water that ſhould run out of our eyes for this matter, and yet is there any more common judgment then this! Oh bewail and cry out for fear of it, Lord every thing I take doth me more hurt!