Twenty-Four Sermons, Sermon 12
SERMON XII.
June 30. 1696.
ACTS V. xxxii. latter Part.
And ſo is alſo the Holy Ghoſt, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
2. HOW did the Spirit perform this Work of a Witneſs, when Christ was upon the Earth? I will mention only Three Ways,
1. His Viſible Deſcent upon Chriſt at his Baptiſm, Luke 3.22. The Holy Ghoſt deſcended in a bodily ſhape, like a Dove, upon him, &c. It is not to my preſent Purpoſe to enquire of what Nature or Subſtance this Appearance was, the Form or Reſemblance here aſſum'd, is ſaid to be that of a Dove, which was obvious to Senſe, and ſeen by his forerunner, the Perſon that Baptiz'd him, which was the Token that God had given him to know the Meſſiah by, and this he bare Record of, John 1.32, 33. That this was deſigned as a ſolemn Teſtimony to Jeſus Chriſt, is manifeſt, becauſe immediately after this he enter'd upon his publick Miniſtry; here was a Pledge firſt given of the Authority which he was inveſted with, that he might be accordingly acknowledg'd and regarded in the Exerciſe of his Office, which till now he had not begun.
2. The extraordinary Works that were done by Chriſt, theſe were the Seals of his Commiſſion, and prov'd him to come from Heaven, for the Doctrine of an Impoſtor would never have been ſo ſignally aſſerted. But now all theſe Works were done in the Power of the Holy Ghoſt, whom he is ſaid to be anointed with, and partly for that End, Acts 10.38. Particularly he caſt out Devils by the Spirit of God, Mat. 12.28. And for that Reaſon he charges the Jews with Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt (the unpardonable Sin) who aſcrib'd this mighty Act of his to Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils, ver. 31, 32. If Chriſt himſelf only had been concern'd in this Work, this could have been Blaſphemy againſt him only, but ſeeing the Spirit of God concurr'd with him in it, they were guilty of Blaſpheming that Spirit alſo.
3. The Reſurrection of Chriſt, which was a conſiderable Teſtimony to his Eternal Deity, is aſcrib'd to the Spirit likewiſe. This Work is indeed in Scripture aſcrib'd to all the Three Perſons; to the Father, Rom. 6.4. To Chriſt himſelf, John 10.17, 18. And the Holy Ghoſt is intereſted in it too. Rom. 8.11. If the Spirit of him that raiſed up Jeſus from the Dead dwell in you, he that rais'd up Chriſt from the Dead, ſhall alſo quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit, &c. The Connexion of the Words, and the Relation which one Thing in them bears to another, ſhews this to be the meaning, that God will revive and raiſe the Dead Bodies of Believers by the ſame Spirit, by whom he rais'd his Son, that Spirit who reunited the Humane Soul and Body of Jeſus Chriſt, will reunite ours alſo. So 1 Pet. 3.16. Quicken'd in the Spirit, the ſame Spirit by which he Preach'd to the Diſobedient in the Days of Noah, ver, 19, 20. with Gen. 6.3.
3. How did the Spirit witneſs to Chriſt after his Departure into Heaven? I mean in the Times of the Apoſtles, and in thoſe firſt Ages of the Goſpel.
Anſw. I. By the Revelation of the Myſteries of the Goſpel to the Apoſtles, which they were to Preach to others. This we have an Account of from Chriſt himſelf. John 16.12, 13, 14, 15. I have yet many Things to ſay unto you, but you cannot bear-them now; howbeit when the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth, &c. He ſhall Glorifie me, for he ſhall receive of mine and ſhew it unto you; which is repeated in the next Words. The Diſciples then were weak in the Faith, prepoſſeſt with carnal Notions about the Kingdom of Chriſt, and at that Time alſo overwhelm'd with Sorrow, upon the Notice of his intended Departure; and by this means they were uncapable at the preſent, of Learning all that they needed to be taught; now Jeſus Chriſt, who conſider'd their weakneſs, and dealt with them according to it, refers them to be more fully inſtructed by the promiſed Spirit; who though he did not diſcover any new Truths which they never heard, yet he brought old Truths to their Remembrance with new Illumination; he help'd their remaining Ignorance and Infrimity, in giving them a clearer Underſtanding of all the Things of Chiriſt, of all thoſe Doctrines concerning Chriſt, which were hid and veil'd from them before.
2. By endowing them with a miraculous Power of doing thoſe Things, which were above the utmoſt activity of Nature, for the Confirmation of the Chriſtian Doctrine. Thus he is ſaid, to give Teſtimony to the Word of his Grace, in granting Signs and Wonders to be done by their Hands, Acts 14.3. God bearing them Witneſs with Signs and Wonders, and divers Miracles, and Gifts of the Holy Ghoſt, Heb. 2.4. A great many of thoſe ſupernatural Effects were produced by his means, in the Courſe of their Miniſtry, and ſome of them ſuch as even exceeded what were wrought by our Lord himſelf. So he had told them that it ſhould be, John 14.12. He that believeth on me, the Works which I do, ſhall he do alſo, and greater Works, than theſe ſhall he do, becauſe I go to my Faither. I would not go about to reſtrain this Text to the Apoſtles (becauſe Chriſt puts it in larger Terms, He that believeth, &c.) but undoubtedly, it was verified in them. They were enabled to Work the ſame Miracles which he did, and in ſome Reſpects ſuch as out-did them, Chap. 9. The Healing of thoſe that were laid upon Beds and Couches in the Streets with the Shadow of Peter paſſing by, ver. 15. of this Chapter, and Chap. 19.11, 12. We read of ſpecial Miracles wrought by the Hands of Paul, ſo that from his Body were brought unto the Sick, Handkerchiefs or Aprons, and the Diſeaſes departed from them, &c. The Reaſon of theſe greater Works done by the Apoſtles, was Chriſt's going to the Father; which made Way for an eminent pouring forth of the Spirit, and this tended not ſo much to the Reputation of their particular Perſons (for they could not Work them when they would) as to the Glory of Chriſt, whoſe Intereſt was hereby advanced in the World.
3. By the remarkable and numerous Converſions of great Multitudes to Chriſt, among whom they preach'd. As ſoon as ever the Holy Ghoſt was come upon them, there were Three Thouſand Souls added to them; That gladly receiv'd their Word and were Baptized, Chap. 2.41. Soon after, theſe were made up Five Thouſand, Chap. 4.4. All this was done in the compaſs of very few Days, and the firſt Harveſt was the Fruit of one Sermon. At Samaria, when Philip went and Preach'd Chriſt to them, 'tis ſaid that the People with one accord gave heed to the Things which he ſpake; Chap. 8.5, 6. Which is the more extraordinary, becauſe they had all given heed to Simon the Sorcerer before, from the leaſt to the greateſt, ver. 10. What a ſtrang and marvellous turn was here in an whole City, upon the Preaching of the Goſpel? In many other Places, the Word of God grew mightily and prevail'd, Chap. 19.20. It got ground againſt all the Oppoſition both of Jews and Gentiles. The Preachers of it were made to Triumph in Chriſt, and baffies all contrary attempts, from open Enemies, and falſe Brethren, and overcame the Devil by the Word of their Teſtimony. And the way of doing all this, is explain'd to us, 1 Cor. 2.4. My Speech, and my Preaching was in Demonſtration of the Spirit and of Power. The Spirit of God accompanied their Word, and made it thus ſucceſsful.
4. By the ſupernatural Gifts which were beſtowed upon other Believers alſo, as well as the Apoſtles. The Truth of this might be made out by ſeveral Inſtances, if it were needful. Acts 10.44. While Peter ſpake, the Holy Ghoſt fell on all them which heard the Word, viz. Cornelius, and his Kindred and Friends, whom he had call'd together, ver. 24. But how did he fall on them? Peter himſelf explains it, Chap. 11.15. As on us at the beginning; i.e. in a miraculous extraordinary Manner. So Chriſt had ſaid, Mark 16.17. Theſe Signs ſhall follow them that believe; in my Name ſhall they caſt out Devils, they ſhall ſpake with new Tongues, &c. Not only they that Publiſht the Goſpel, but they that receiv'd it, were many of them thus eminently gifted by the Holy Ghoſt; and this was much for the Honour of Chriſt, whom they believed in, and ſerv'd to reſcue his Goſpel from that Contempt and Reproach which the World was ſo apt every where to pour upon it.
5. By the admirable Patience and Reſolution both of the Apoſtles and other Believers in the extream Sufferings which they underwent for Chriſt and the Goſpel. I think (ſays Paul) that God hath ſet forth us the Apoſtles, as it were appointed to Death, 1 Cor. 4.9. He proteſts for his own Part, that he Dyed daily, Chap. 15.31. Stood in jeopardy every Hour, ver. 30. Others, to whom he writes, endured great fights of Afflictions, Heb. 10.32. Not little Skirmiſhes, but continual Combats. What vaſt numbers of them crown'd all at laſt with Martyrdom, which is the moſt peculiar Notion of witneſſing? And with what meekneſs and undauntedneſs was all this done, as by Men that had fully learnt to deſpiſe their own Lives, and deareſt Comforts, together with the greateſt Cruelties of their Adverſaries. But whence did all this proceed? From the Spirit of Glory reſting on them, 1 Pet. 4.14. As Stephen being full of the Holy Ghoſt, ſaw the Glory of God, when his Murderers gnaſh their Teeth, Acts 7.54, 55. Their dying witneſs to Chriſt, was through the ſpecial Aſſiſtance of his Bleſſed Spirit
4. How does the Spirit witneſs to Chriſt, even now in our own Times? For there is a never failing Teſtimony which he gives ſtill, and will always give to the End of the World. Not by Voices, Dreams, or Enthuſiaſtick Inſpirations, which are uſually dangerous Deluſions, where they are pretended and reſted on, but in ſuch Ways as are ſafe and clear, and highly beneficial. As
1. The Spirit witneſſes at this very Day to Jeſus Chriſt in the written Goſpel. This is the ſtanding Memorial and Regiſter of all Divine Teſtimony. There the Doctrine of Chriſt is preſerved uncorrupt, and is the ſame in writing to us, that it was originally to the firſt Chriſtians; and here we have a ſufficient Hiſtory of the Miracles which recommended and backt this Doctrine. I ſay, a ſufficient Hiſtory, ſufficient to Anſwer the End, though not a compleat Hiſtory of all that was done. John 20.30, 31. Many other Signs did Jeſus in the Preſence of his Diſciples, which are not written in this Book, but theſe are Written that ye might believe that Jeſus is the Son of God, &c. They were not only wrought, but are written in Order to our Believing; this puts it out of doubt, that we are bound to Believe upon the Teſtimony of thoſe Miracles, which we never ſaw, as faithfully related; if they were to be renewed in every Age, the commonneſs of them would make them loſe their End; and every Generation after they are ceaſed, might challenge a Repetition of them, as well as one; and to what Purpoſe ſhould Perſons be enjoyn'd to tell the wonderful Works of God to their Poſterity, if they were not oblig'd to give Credit to them? As Exod. 10.2. And many other Places.
2. He witneſſes to Chriſt by the Operations and Effects which the Goſpel hath upon all the choſen of God; for hereby it is diſtinguiſht from the Word of Man, even by its Effectual Workings, 1 Theſſ. 2.13. There is no Compariſon between them in their Natures, For what is the Chaff to the Wheat? Jer. 23.28. Nor in their Operative Vertues; For is not my Word like as a Fire? ſaith the Lord, and like an Hammer, &c. ver. 29. This ſhews the Power of the Spirit attending it; this is that which puts an Edge upon the Word, and gives a force to it; which makes it quick and mighty, ſharp and ſearching in the Work of Conviction; hereby it takes hold of Sinners, Caſts down Imaginations, and brings every thought into Captivity to the Obedience of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10.5. The Word alone would not do this; but as it comes in Power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Theſſ. 1.5. There are Impreſſions of the Majeſty and Authority of God upon the Word, ſtampt by the Spirit, but the ſame Spirit muſt enable us to diſcern them; as a Stranger muſt Learn to know an Artificer's Workmanſhip from himſelf.
3. By giving us an inward Experience and feeling of the Things of Chriſt. Spiritual Sences are a great Advantage to thoſe that have them, and whoever have them, are beholden to the Spirit for them. Hence it is, that the Things of Chriſt, are called the Things of the Spirit of God, which the natural man neither does receive, nor can know, 1 Cor. 2.14. A meer notional acquaintance with them, is vain and inſignificant, and yet this is all that any Man in the World by Nature, without the help of the Spirit, can Riſe up to. We know them by receiving them; they are ſtrange Things, till they are taken in, and made Familiar to us, by real and experimental Knowledge. Therefore 'tis ſaid, He that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witneſs in himſelf, 1 John 5.10. That Verbal Teſtimony which is without him in the Scripture, is then tranſcrib'd within him on his own Heart; he is ſatisfied from himſelf, which is the higheſt and fulleſt Satisfaction.
4. By the producing of Faith in Chriſt, which is a Work that's never fulfilled in any Soul, where be is not given; for 'tis one of his Titles, the Spirit of Faith, 2 Cor. 4.13. He infuſes the Habit, he excites to every Act. Divine Supernatural Faith requires a Divine and Supernatural Agent. 'Tis he that effectually Reproves for the Sin of unbelief, John 16.9. He diſcovers the Diſeaſe, he applies the Remedy. 'Tis a part of the Myſtery of Godlineſs, that Jeſus Chriſt is believed on in the World, and another part of it is, that he is juſtified in the Spirit, 1 Tim. 3.16. But one part Contributes to the unriddling of the other. If Chriſt were not juſtified in the Spirit, he would not be believ'd on in the World. Chriſt is juſtified in or by the Spirit, whenever any one in the World is perſuaded to believe; they are the Spirits internal Arguments on the behalf of Chriſt, that ſway the Soul to a receiving of, and cloſing with him. He reveals thoſe Things concerning Chriſt to us, which could not enter into our Hearts to conceive of him, 1 Cor. 2.9, 10.
5. By the ſtrengthening and increaſing of this Faith daily, after he hath produc'd it. There are gradual Diſplaies of the Glory and Excellency of Chriſt to the believing Soul; all is not manifeſted at once; there are freſh Communicatious of Light and Grace, as long as we are in the World, that our Faith may grow, and that what is lacking in it, may be perfected. According as the Spirit enriches us in the Progreſs of our Sanctification, the Teſtimony of Chriſt is confirmed in us, 1 Cor. 1.6. He grounds and ſettles us, and makes us unmoveable from the Hope of the Goſpel; he fortifies and eſtabliſhes us againſt various contrary Temptations, whereby the Devil is frequently endeavouring to looſen our hold of Chriſt, and beat us off from him. We are poor wavering, unſteady Creatures when we are left to our ſelves; rejoycing one Moment, and drooping the next, confidently aſſured of that at one Time, which we are ready to call in Queſtion at another. The beſt Believers in the World will moſt humbly own this; the ſtrongeſt Faith would certainly fail, if the Cauſe of Chriſt in the Soul were not often pleaded over again by the Spirit, as an Antidote for the Motions to Infidelity.
IV. Ʋſe. There are ſeveral Things which from hence we may be informed of, and exhorted to.
1. There are ſeveral Things which we may be informed of. As
1. Jeſus Chriſt never will, nor can be left without a Witneſs, becauſe the Eternal Spirit is his Witneſs, who will never with-dram his Teſtimony. This Spirit of Chriſt is given to all that obey him, and he teſtifies of Chriſt to them, and by them to others; but if we could ſuppoſe, this whole Generation of the righteous to be extinct (which yet ſhall never be; as long as the Earth remains) if all theſe Humane Witneſſes were ſlain, and not one left to ſtand up on the behalf of Chriſt in the World, yet while the Holy Ghoſt ſurvives as a faithful Witneſs in Heaven, 'tis impoſſible that Chriſt ſhould be deſtitute. Let the Rage and Malice of the World against Chriſt go as far as it can, in ſtopping the Mouths or ſhedding the Blood of all that receive or bear the Record which God hath given of his Son, the Spirit cannot be prevented from doing conſtant Honour to Jeſus Chriſt.
2. The Word of Chriſt hath a better Foundation, than any Teſitimony from Man, or from any Church, or Party of Men whatever. As Chriſt ſaid, He had a greater Witnrſs than that of John, John 5-36. Concerning thy Teſtimonies, I have knowu of Old, ſays David, that thou haſt founded them for ever, Pſalm 119.152. But if mortal Witneſſes were their only Supporters, they would be as liable to fade and periſh, to be ſubverted and deſtroyed, as other Inferiour Things. To build the Credit of the Goſpel upon Humane Tradition, is like putting the Ark of the Teſtimony into a wooden Cart, which will be apt to ſhake and reel, if not to tumble. The Church of God is the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, 1 Tim.3.15. To hold it forth indeed, not to hold it up; not ſuch a Pillar as Houſes ſtand upon, but as Writings hang upon for Publick Notice.
3. The unrighteous Judgment of Satan and the World against Chriſt, is and will be perfectly reverſed. Now is the Judgment of this World; ſays Chriſt, John 12.31. So Chap. 16.11. When the Sprit is come; he will Reprove (or Convince) the World of Judgment, becauſe the Prince of this World is judged. I take theſe Two Texts to refer to one and the ſame Thing; for the Prince of this World, and the World it. ſelf paſs the ſame Judgment on Jeſus Chriſt, and the Judgment of both is very unjuſt; the World and its Prince, make up as it were but one Perſon, the Head and the Body; and they exactly Agree and Joyn in the ſame Sentence, to condemn our Lord Jeſus. But here is a Witneſs that nuls this Sentence; and plainly proves the Iniquity and Falſhood of it; and indeed none of the Devil's Devices can ſtand, when God himſelf comes forth to withſtand and oppoſe them.
4.It muſt needs be a lying Spirit that ſpeaks a Word againſt Chriſt, or that derogates any Thing from him. 1 Cor. 12.3. I give you to nderſtand, that no Man ſpeaking by the Spirit of God, calleth Jeſus accurſed. Whatever is ſpoken by any to the diſhonour of our Lord Jeſus cannot proceed from the Spirit of God. This is moſt certain, becauſe the Spirit of God cannot contradict himſelf, he cannot teſtifie for him, and againſt him too. The Holy Ghoſt is Chriſt's Witneſs, the unclean Spirit is his Adverſary; and too many Tongues are duided by this unclean and wicked Spirit, that pretend to Propheſie in Chriſt's Name; and whereas a true Witneſs delivereth Souls, Prov. 14.25. Theſe do lay ſnares for their Ruine and Deſtruction.
5. They that have the Spirit of God cannot err in what is eſſential to the Faith of Chriſt, and neceſſary to Salvation. They are undoubtedly taught to hold the Subſtance of Divine Teſtimony, though they may be miſtaken in leſſer Particulars. This is hinted by what our Lord ſays, Mat. 24.24. There ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſt's and falſe Prophets, and ſhall ſhew great Signs and Wonders, inſomuch that (if it were poſſible) they ſhall deceive the very Elect. That Parentheſis is the moſt material Part of the Propoſition; there is no poſſibility of any of God's choſen and called ones miſcarrying by a fundamental Deluſion; they have a Reſident Witneſs for Chriſt in their own Boſoms, who ſecures them from it.
6. Ʋnbelief is a ſpecial Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt; all unbelief is ſo, though all unbelief (and perhaps no meer unbelief) is not the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt. It is the Spirit that beareth Witneſs, becauſe the Spirit is Truth, 1 John 5.6. But he that believeth not, makes him a Lyar; ver. 10. Hypocriſie is a lying to the Lord (as Ananias and Sapphira lyed to the Holy Ghoſt) but infidelity is a belying of him, Jer. 5.12. 'Tis a painting of the Spirit of God like the Sons of Men, who are Lyars upon Record, Rom. 3.4. Yea, like the Devil, who is the Father of Lyes, John 8.44. This black aggravated Evil is included in the not receiving of the Spirit's witneſs.
2. There are ſome Things, which we may hence be exhorted to.
1. Set your Seal to the Truth of the Spirits Teſtimony unto Chriſt, by Believing in him; and reject it not againſt your ſelves. Embrace him with all your Hearts upon the high and honourable Commendation which the Holy Ghoſt gives of him. How readily do we repoſe a Confidence in Creatures, when we have receiv'd a worthy Character of them from Perſons of known Integrity! And ſhall we be influenc'd more by the Witneſs of Man, than by the Witneſs of God? God forbid. How much greater Encouragements have we to Divine, than humane Faith? There are infallible Grounds for Divine Faith to reſt upon, which for humane cannot be.
2. Grieve not the Spirit of God by Sin, that he may not deliver you up, nor leave you alone to be led away by Error. The Holy Ghoſt is often provok'd by Men's looſe Converſations to give them over to ſome unſound Opinions. Practical Godlineſs is an excellent Means for the maintaining of Doctrinal Orthodoxy. If any Man will do his Will, he ſhall know of the Doctrine, John 7.17. Follow the Spirits Guidance in the Courſe of your Lives, if you would not forfeit it, as to the regulating of your Judgments. Be govern'd by him as a Spirit of Holineſs, if you would be inſtructed by him as a Spirit of Truth.
3. Whatever the Spirit in and according to the Scripture teſtifies againſt, give it no Entertainment. That cannot be the Doctrine of Chriſt, which he doth not atteſt. 'Tis another Goſpel, and therefore not to be receiv'd, though an Angel from Heaven were the Publiſher of it. We have a ſure Word of Propheſie, whereunto we do well to take heed, 2 Pet. 1.19. That muſt be no Article of our Faith, which we have not firſt tried, or which upon the Trial, is not approv'd by this Rule of Faith. According as the Teſtimony of the Spirit in the Word is, we are to Judge of every Cauſe which comes before us.
4. Regard the Witneſs of the Spirit, with reſpect to Chriſt in you, as well as Chriſt without you. He is a capable Witneſs as to both, for he ſearcheth all Things; he knows the State and Diſpoſition of our Souls towards God, as well as the out-goings of the Heart of God to us. He that can reveal Chriſt in us, is undoubtedly the ſitteſt to diſcover us to our ſelves. Therefore, what our Conſcience bears us Witneſs in the Holy Ghoſt (as Rom. 9.1.) Is to be comfortably acquieſced in, as a faithful unerring Report. If Conſcience it, ſelf be as a thouſand Witneſſes, how much more when the Holy Ghoſt concurs with it.
5. Beg the help of the Spirit in Order to the giving of your Teſtimony to Chriſt, as you ought to do, in your ſeveral Places, 1 Cor. 12.3. No Man can ſay that Jeſus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghoſt.
Obj. What think you then of thoſe that call Chriſt Lord, Lord, and do not the Things which he ſays?
Anſ. 'Tis true, the meer repeating of ſuch words is eaſie, and may be done without the Spirit; but if we ſay it from a right Principle, in a right Manner, and to a right End, it muſt be by the Holy Ghoſt. And therefore this ſaying, is like that confeſſing, 1 John 4.15. Not a bare Verbal Confeſſion with the Mouth, but joyn'd with believing in the Heart.
6. Manifeſt your having of the Spirit, by your ready, reſolute and eonstant witneſs-bearing on the behalf of Christ. Be not aſham'd of the Testimouy of our Lord, 2 Tim. 1.8. 'Tis the greateſt Honour to us, when we are call'd to any ſuch Service to our great Redeemer. A Work which is done by the Spirit of God himſelf, muſt unqueſtionably be a Matter of Glory and Reputation to ſuch as we. Nor is it only upon ſolemn extraordinary ſpecial Occaſions, but in the whole Courſe of our Lives, in all that we think, ſpeak and do, we ſhould teſtifie to our Lord Jeſus. In ſhort, you who have the Spirit of Chriſt dwelling in you, can do no leſs among a World of Men, that ungratefully deſpiſe him, than by your whole behaviour proclaim your deſerved eſteem of him.