Of the Divine Original Authority, Treatise 1 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
Innate Arguments in the Scripture, of its divine originall and Authority. Theſe the formall Reaſon of our Believing. Its ſelfe evidencing Efficacy. All light m…nifeſts it ſelfe. The Scripture, Light. What kind of Light it is. Spirituall light evidentiall. The ground of mens not diſcerning this Light. Conſectaries from the Premiſes laid down. What the ſelfe Evidencing Light of the Scripture peculiarly is. The Propoſition of the Scripture as an object of faith is from and by this Light. Power, ſelfe Evidencing. The Scripture the Power of God. And Powerfull. How this Power exerts its ſelfe. The whole Queſtion reſolved.
§ 1. HAving given ſome few inſtances of thoſe many Teſtimonies, which the Scripture in expreſſe Termes beares to its ſelfe, and the ſpring, riſe, and fountaine of all that Authority, which it claimes among and over the ſons of men, which all thoſe who pretend on any account whatever, to owne and acknowledge its Divinity, are bound to ſtand to, and are obliged by; The ſecond thing propoſed, or the innate Arguments that the Word of God is furniſhed withall for its owne manifeſtation, and whereby the Authority of God is revealed for faith to repoſe its ſelfe upon, comes in the next place into conſideration. Now theſe Arguments containe the full and formall Grounds of our Anſwer, to that enquiry before laid downe; namely, why and wherefore we doe receive and beleive the Scripture to be the word of God; It being the formall Reaſon of our faith, that whereon it is built, and whereunto it is reſolved that is enquired after, we anſwer as we ſaid before; we do ſo receive, embrace, believe, and ſubmit unto it, becauſe of the Authority of God who ſpeaks it, or gave it forth as his Mind and Will, evidencing its ſelfe, by the ſpirit, in, and with that word unto our minds and Conſciences; or becauſe that the Scripture being brought unto us, by the good Providence of God, in Waies of his Appointment and Preſervation, it doth evidence its ſelfe infallibly unto our conſciences to be the Word of the living God.
Sect. 2. The ſelfe evidencing Efficacy of the Scripture, and the grounds of it, which conſiſt in common mediums, that have an extent and latitude anſwerable to the Reaſons of men, whether as yet they acknowledge it to be the Word of God or no, is that then which in the remainder of this diſcourſe I ſhall indeavour to cleare and vindicate. This only I ſhall deſire to premiſe, that whereas ſome Grounds of this efficacy ſeeme to be placed in the things themſelves contained in the Scripture, I ſhall not conſider them abſtractedly as ſuch, but under the formality of their being the Scripture or Written Word of God; without which conſideration and Reſolution, the things mentioned would be left naked and utterly deveſted of their Authority and efficacy pleaded for; and be of no other nature and importance, then the ſame things found in other Books. It is the Writing its ſelfe, that now ſupplies the place and Roome of the Perſons, in, and by whom God originally ſpake to men. As were the Perſons ſpeaking of old, ſo are the Writings now: It was the Word ſpoken, that was to be believed, yet as ſpoken by them from God; and it is now the Word written, that is to be believed, yet as written by the Command and Appointment of God.
Sect. 3. There are then two things, that are accompanied with a ſelfe evidencing Excellency; and every other thing doth ſo, ſo far as it is pertaker of their nature, and no otherwiſe; now Theſe are 1 Light. 2. Power for, or in Operation.
Sect. 4. 1 Light manifeſts its ſelfe. Whatever is Light doth ſo: that is, it doth whatever is neceſſary on its own part for its manifeſtation and diſcovery. Of the defects that are, or may be in them, to whom this diſcovery is made, we do not as yet ſpeak: And whatever manifeſts its ſelfe is Light. foreign. Epheſ. 5. 13. Light requires neither proofe nor Teſtimony for its Evidence. Let the Sun ariſe in the firmament, and there is no need of VVitneſſes to prove and confirme unto a ſeeing man that it is day. A ſmall candle will ſo do. Let the leaſt child bring a candle into a roome that before was darke, and it would be a madneſſe to go about to prove by ſubſtantiall VVitneſſes, men of Gravity and Authority, that Light is brought in. Doth it not evince its ſelfe, with an Aſſurance above all that can be obteined by any Teſtimony whatever? Whatever is Light, either naturally or morally ſo, is revealed by its being ſo. That which evidenceth not its ſelfe, is not Light.
Sect. 5. That the Scripture is a Light, we ſhall ſee immediately. That it is ſo, or can be called ſo, unleſſe it hath this nature and Property of Light, to evidence its ſelfe, as well as to give light unto others, cannot in any tolerable correſpondency of ſpeech be allowed. Whether Light ſpirituall and intellectuall regarding the mind, or naturall with reſpect to bodily ſight, be firſtly and properly Light, from whence the other is by Alluſion denominated, I need not now enquire. Both have the ſame properties in their ſeverall kinds. foreign: true light ſhineth. foreign: 1 Joh. 1. 5. God himſelfe is light; and he inhabiteth foreign, 1 Tim. 6. 16.Biddle Catech. not a ſhining gliſtering brightneſse, as ſome groſly imagine, but the Glorious unſearchable Majeſty of his owne Being, which is inacceſſible to our underſtandings. So Iſa. 57. 15. inhabiteth eternity. So foreign ſaith the Pſalmiſt, thou cloatheſt thy ſelfe with Light: and Dan. 2. 22. foreign the Light remaineth with him; God, He is light eſſentially, and is therefore known by the beaming of his Eternall Properties, in all that outwardly is of him. And light abides with him, as the fountaine of it; he communicating Light to all others. This being the fountaine of all Light, the more it participates of the nature of the fountaine, the more it is Light; and the more properly, as the Properties and Qualities of it are conſidered. It is then ſpirituall, morall, intellectuall Light, with all its mediums, that hath the preheminence, as to a participation of the nature and properties of light.
Sect. 6. Now the Scripture the word of God is light; thoſe that reject it are called foreign lights rebels, men reſiſting the Authority which they cannot but be convinced of. Pſal. 19. 9. & 43. 3. & 119. 105, 130. Prov. 6. 23. Iſa. 9. 2. Hoſ. 6. 5. Math. 4. 16. and 5. 14. Joh. 3. 20. 21: It is a Light ſo ſhining with the majeſty of its Author, as that it manifeſts its ſelfe to be his. 2 Pet. 1. 19. A Light ſhining in a darke place, with an eminent advantage for its own diſcovery, as well as unto the benefit of others.
Sect. 7. Let a light be never ſo meane and contemptible; yet if it ſhines, caſts out beames and raies in a dark place, it will evidence its ſelfe. If other things be wanting in the faculty, the Light as to its innate Glory and beauty, is not to ſuffer prejudice. But the Word is a glorious ſhining Light, as hath been ſhewed; an illuminating Light; compared to, and preferred above the light of the Sun. Pſal. 19. 5, 6, 7. Rom. 10. 18. Let not then a reproach be caſt upon the moſt glorious Light in the world, the moſt eminent reflexion of uncreated light and Excellencies, that will not be faſtened on any thing, that on any account is ſo called. Math. 5. 19.
Sect. 8. Now as the Scripture is thus a Light, we grant it to be the duty of the Church, of any Church, of every Church, to hold it up, whereby it may become the more conſpicuous. It is a ground, and pillar to. ſet this light upon. 1 Tim. 3. 15. foreign, may referre to the miſtery of Godlineſſe, in the next words following, in good coherence of ſpeech, as well as to the Church; but granting the uſuall reading, no more is affirmed, but that the Light and Truth of the Scripture is held up, and held out by the Church. It is the duty of every Church ſo to doe: almoſt the whole of its duty. And this duty it performes miniſterially, not Authoritatively. A Church may beare up the light, it is not the light. It beares witneſſe to it, but kindles not one divine beame to further its diſcovery. All the Preaching that is in any Church, its Adminiſtration of Ordinances, all its walking in the Truth, hold up this light.
Sect. 9. Nor doth it in the leaſt impaire this ſelfe evidencing Efficacy of the Scripture, that it is a morall and ſpirituall, not a naturall light. The Propoſition is Univerſall to all kinds of light; yea more fully applicable to the former, than the latter. Light I confeſſe of it's ſelfe will not remove the defect of the viſive faculty. It is not given for that end; Light is not Eyes. It ſuffices that there is nothing wanting on it's owne part for it's diſcovery and Revelation. To argue that the Sun, cannot be knowne to be the Sun, or the great meanes of communicating externall light unto the World, becauſe blind men cannot ſee it, nor doe know any more of it, then they are told will ſcarce be admitted; nor doth it in the leaſt impeach the Efficacy of the light pleaded for, that men ſtupidly blind cannot comprehend it. Joh. 1. 5.
Sect. 10. I doe not aſſert from hence, that wherever the Scripture is brought, by what meanes ſoever (which indeed is all one) All that read it, or to whom it is read, muſt inſtantly, of neceſſity aſſent unto it's Divine Originall. Many men (who are not ſtarke blind) may have yet ſo abuſed their Eyes, that when a Light is brought into a darke place, they may not be able to diſcerne it. Men may be ſo prepoſeſſed with innumerable prejudices, Principles received by ſtronge Traditions, corrupt Affections, making them hate the light, that they may not behold the Glory of the word, when it is brought to them. But it is nothing to our preſent diſcourſe, whether any man living be able by and of himſelfe to diſcerne this Light, whilſt the defect may be juſtly caſt on their owne blindneſſe. 2 Cor. 4. 2, 3▪4. By the manifeſtation of the truth we commend our ſelves to every ones conſcience in the ſight of God; but if our Goſpell be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt: in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, leſt the light of the Goſpell of Chriſt who is the image of God, ſhould ſhine unto them. There is in the diſpenſation of the Word an Evidence of Truth commending it's ſelfe to the conſciences of men; Some receive not this Evidence; is it for want of Light in the Truth it's ſelfe? No! that is a Glorious light that ſhines into the hearts of men; Is it for want of Teſtimony to aſſert this light? No! but merely becauſe the God of this world hath blinded the Eyes of men, that they ſhould not behold it.
Sect. 11. From what then hath been laid downe, theſe two things may be inferred.
1. That as the Authority of God the firſt and only abſolute Truth, in the Scripture, is that alone which divine faith reſts upon, and is the formall object of it; ſo wherever the Word comes, by what meanes ſoever, it hath in it's ſelfe a ſufficiency of Light to evidence to all, (and will doe it eventually to all that are not blinded by the God of this world) that Authority of God it's Authour; And the only Reaſon why it is not received by many in the World to whom it is come, is, the Advantage that Sathan hath to keep them in ignorance and blindneſſe, by the luſts, corruptions, prejudices, and hardneſſe of their owne hearts.
Sect. 12. The word then makes a ſufficient Propoſition of it's ſelfe, wherever it is. And he to whom it ſhall come, who refuſes it becauſe it comes not ſo, or ſo Teſtified, will give an accou…t of his Atheiſme and infidelity. He that hath the witneſſe of God, need not ſtay for the Witneſſe of men, for the Witneſse of God is greater.
Sect. 13. Wherever the Word is received indeed, as it requireth it ſelfe to be received, and is really aſſented unto as the Word of God; it is ſo received upon the Evidence of that Light which it hath in it's ſelfe, manifeſtly declaring it's ſelfe ſo to be. It is all one, by what meanes, by what hand, whether of a Child or a Church, by Accident or Traditions, by common conſent of men, or pecular Providence, the Scripture comes unto us; Come how it will, it hath its Authority in it's ſelfe, and towards us, by being the Word of God; and hath it's power of manifeſting it's ſelfe ſo to be, from it's owne innate Light.
Sect. 14. Now this light in the ſcripture for which we contend, is nothing but the beaming of the Majeſty, Truth, Holineſſe, and Authority of God, given unto it, and left upon it, by it's Author the Holy Ghoſt; An impreſſe it hath, of God's Excellency upon it, diſtinguiſhing it by infallible foreign, from the product of any creature; By this it dives into the Conſciences of men, into all the ſecret receſſes of their hearts; guides, teaches, directs, determines, and judges in them, upon them, in the name, majeſty & Authority of God. If men who are blinded by the God of this world, will yet deny this light, becauſe they perceive it not, it ſhall not prejudice them who doe. By this ſelfe evidencing Light, I ſay, doth the Scripture make ſuch a propoſition of it's ſelfe, as the Word of God, that whoever rejects it, doth it at the perill of his eternall Ruine; and thereby a bottome and foundation is tendred for that faith which it requireth, to repoſe it's ſelfe upon.
Sect. 15. For the proofe then of the Divine Authority of the ſcriptures, unto him or them, who as yet on no account what ever doe acknowledge it, I ſhall only ſuppoſe, that by the Providence of God the Book it's ſelfe be ſo brought unto him or them, as that He, or they, be engaged to the conſideration of it; or doe attend to the reading of it. This is the worke of God's providence in the Government of the world; upon a ſuppoſall hereof, I leave the Word with them; and if it evidence not it's ſelfe unto their conſcience, it is becauſe they are blinded by the God of this world; which will be no plea for the refuſall of it, at the Laſt day; And they who receive it not on this Ground, will never receive it on any, as they ought.
Sect. 16. The ſecond ſort of things that evidence themſelves, are things of an Effectuall powerfull Operation in any kind. So doth fire by heat, the Wind by it's noiſe and force; ſalt by it's taſt and ſavour, the Sun by its light and heat; So doe alſo morall principles that are effectually operative. Rom. 2. 14, 15. Men in whom they are, foreign, Doe manifeſt the Worke of them; or them by their worke and Efficacy. Whatever it be that hath an innate power in it's ſelfe, that will effectually operate on a fit and proper ſubject, it is able to evidence it's ſelfe, and it's owne nature and condition.
Sect. 17. To manifeſt the intereſt of the Scripture to be enrolled among things of this nature, yea under God himſelfe, who is knowne by his great power and the Effects of it, to have the Preheminence, I ſhall obſerve only one or two things concerning it, the various improvement whereof, would take up more time, and greater ſpace, then I have allotted to this diſcourſe.
Sect. 18. It is abſolutely called the Power of God; and that unto it's proper End, which way lyes the tendency of it's Efficacy in Operation. Rom. 1. 16. It is foreign, vis, virtus Dei; the Power of God. foreign, the word concerning the Croſſe, that is the Goſpell, is foreign. 1 Cor. 1. 18; the Power of God; And faith which is built on that word, without other helpes or Advantages, is ſaid to ſtand in the Power of God. 1 Cor. 2. 5. That is, effectually working, in and by the Word; it worketh, foreign; in the demonſtration of the ſpirit and of power. foreign: it's ſpirituall Power gives a demonſtration of it. Thus it comes not as a naked VVord, 1 Theſ. 1. 5, but in power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and foreign; giving all manner of Aſſurance and full perſwaſion of it's ſelfe, Even by it's Power and Efficacy. Hence it is termed foreign the Rod of power, or ſtrength. Pſal. 110. 2; denoting both Authority and Efficacy; ſurely that which is thus the Power and Authority of God, is able to make it's ſelfe known ſo to be.
Sect. 19. It is not only ſaid to be foreign, Power, the Power of God in it's ſelfe; but alſo foreign, able and powerfull in reſpect of us. Thou haſt learned ſaith Paul to Timothy foreign, the ſacred letters (the written word) foreign, which are able to make thee wiſe unto ſalvation. They are powerfull and effectuall to that purpoſe. It is foreign. James. 1. 21. The Word that hath power in it, to ſave. So Acts 20. 31. I commend you foreign, to the able, powerfull Word. And that we may know what kind of power it hath, the Apoſtle tells us, that it is foreign, it is living and effectuall (Heb. 4. 12.) and ſharper then any two edged ſword, peircing even to the dividing aſunder of ſoule and ſpirit, and of the joynts and marrow, and is a diſcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is deſigned of God to declare foreign, the effectuall working of his power. See Joh. 6. 68, 69. 2 Cor. 6. 41. 2 Cor. 15. 58. Gal. 2. 8. By vertue of this Power, it brought forth fruit in all the world. Col. 1. 6. Without ſword, without (for the moſt part) miracles, without humane Wiſdome, or Oratory, without any inducements or motives, but what were merely and ſolely taken from it's ſelfe, conſiſting in thinges, that eye had not ſeene, nor eare heard, nor could enter into the heart of man to conceive; hath it exerted this it's power and efficacy, to the conqueſt of the World; cauſing men of all ſorts, in all times and places, ſo to fall downe before its Divine Authority, as immediatly to renounce all that was deare to them in the world, and to undergoe whatever was draedful, terrible and deſtructive to nature in all it's deareſt concernments.
Sect. 20. It hath been the worke of many to inſiſt on the Particulars, wherein this Power exerts it's ſelfe: ſo that I ſhall not enlarge upon them. In generall they have this Advantage, that as they are all ſpirituall, ſo they are ſuch, as have their ſeate dwelling and abode in the hearts and conſciences of men, whereby they are not liable to any Exception as though they were pretended. Men cannot harden themſelves in the rejection of the Teſtimony they give, by ſending for Magitians to doe the like; or by any pretence that it is a common thing, that is befallen them on whom the Word puts forth it's power. The ſeate and reſidence of theſe Effects, is ſafeguarded againſt all Power & Authority but that of God. Its diveing into the hearts Conſciences & ſecret receſſes of the minds of men, its judging and ſentencing of thē in themſelves, it's cōvictions, terrours, conqueſts, and killing of men; it's converting, building up, making wiſe, holy, obedient, its adminiſtring conſolations in every condition, and the like effects of it's power are uſually Spoken unto.
Sect. 21. Theſe are Briefly the foundations of the Anſwer returned to the Enquiry formerly laid downe which might abundantly be enlarged. How know we that the Scripture is the Word of God; how may others come to be aſsured thereof? The Scripture, ſay we, beares Teſtimony to it's ſelfe, that it is the Word of God; that Teſtimony is the witneſſe of God himſelfe, which who ſo doth not accept and believe, he doth what in him lyes to make God a lyar; To give us an infallible Aſſurance that in receiving this Teſtimony, we are not impoſed upon by cunningly deviſed fables, the foreign, the foreign, the Scriptures, have that Glory of Light and Power accompanying of them, as wholy diſtinguiſheth them by infallible ſignes and Evidences from all Words and Writings not divine, conveying their Truth and Power, into the ſoules and conſciences of men, with an infalible certainty. On this account are they received, by all that receive them as from God; who have any reall diſtinguiſhing foundation of their faith, which would not be, ſeperated from theſe grounds, as effectuall an expedient for the reception of the Alcoran.