A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 224 (Question 89)
SERMON CCXXIV.
QUESTION LXXXIX.
HOW is the Word made effectual unto Salvation?
ANSWER.
THE Spirit of God maketh the Reading, but eſpecially the Preaching of the Word, an effectual Means of convincing & converting Sinners, and of building them up in Holineſs and Comfort, thro' Faith unto Salvation.
UNDER the former, we had an Account give us, what is the uſual & frequent W…y, in which God hath choſen to bring about the Salvation of th…ſe whom He hath Choſen, and Chriſt hath R…deemed, viz. By His Ordinances, which are the appointed Means, and accommodated in Infinite Wiſdom, for the Working of Faith and Repentance in them, and carrying them from Grace to Glory. And the principal of theſe were reduced to Three Heads, …. The Word, Sacraments, & Prayer, not excluding the Pr…vi…ences which paſs over them, which in their Order and Subordination are alſo made uſe of; tho' without the other they cannot contribute any thing towards, this great Work; as is to be ſeen in the Hearthen, who were ſtrangers to the Goſpel. But becauſe theſe Means have not, in themſelves, that Efficacy that can render them effectual; it is neceſſary more particularly to enquire, in what Way & Manner they are made to attain this End? And, What is required of us, in order to our finding of them to be thus ſerviceable for our beſt Good According our Catechiſm proceeds to give us a diſ…in… According of each of theſe, to ſhew us the Way how we may obtain this Benefit, and ſatisfy us in the uſefulneſs and ſufficiency of them for this Purpoſe. And that which firſt lies before us, is the Word; which is the Principal, and therefore challengeth the firſt Conſideration; for without it we have no Rule of Direction how to Uſe the other to advantage; for the Sacraments are appendages to it, and Proper depends on it, both for Direction and Encouragement.
IN the clearing up of this we are to conſider.
1. The Subject ſpoken of, the Were.
2. The Author, or prime …cient of this Be…efit, that derives thro' the Word, The Spirit of God.
3. The Caſualty of the Word, viz. Inſtrumental.
4. The way by which it is made effectual, viz. By the Reading, eſp…tally the Preaching of it.
5. The Effects produced by it, whereby it is made ſerviceable to promove their Salvation, by Convincing & Converting Sinners, and of …al…ing them up in Holineſs and Comfort, &c.
Theſe things may therefore come under a diſtinct Conſideration, for a more clear taking up of this matter.
THE firſt thing that comes to be the…t of, is the Subject ſpoken of, viz. The Word, i.e. The Word of God; for it is ſo called emphatically. It is needleſs here to conſider, in how many ſenſes this Word …. God is taken in the Bible; & what it here it tends of theſe things we had a more diſtinct …ccount, at Queſtion Second. In ſum, It is whatſoever God hath pleaſeth to reveal of Himſelf to Man; and more peculiarly that wherein He hath told is what is our Duty, and wherein we may obtain Wlw…edneſs of c…lled, becauſe Words are the …ſ…i way for us to impart our Minds by, …e to and …: And tho' He hath uſed many ways to impart this His Mind to His People as, Heb. …. Yet in the Goſpel Times. He hath …e …d to commit it to Writing and leave it … the Canonical Books of the Old and New Teſtament, in the Laſ… whereof is the Viſion Sealed; and ſince that, Immediate Revelation hath ſo far ceaſed, that addition thereto is forbidden, Rev. 22.18. Of the ſufficiency of which we are aſſured, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. All ſcripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for inſtruction in righteouſneſs: That the man of God may be perfect, thro'ly furniſhed unto all good works. This then is the Word under conſideration, of the Fulneſs & Perfection of which, we have formerly had the account: and this is it which we are here told is made uſe of, and becomes effectual to the Elect for Salvation: And bow, or after what manner it is ſo, now comes to be diſtinctly enquired. Hence,
II. THE next thing to be confidered, is, The Author, or prime Efficient of the great Benefit which derives to us by the Word, viz. The Spirit of God. By which we are to underſtand, the Holy Spirit, the Third Perſon in the Sacred Trinity; to whom belongs the application of the purchaſed Salvation to all ſuch as CHRIST hath Redeemed, and who is able to do it for them. This is not to be underſtood excluſive of the other Divine Perſons, who are one and the ſame God; but to denote the Oeconomy of the Perſons in this great work of ſaving Sinners. I ſhall here only take notice of theſe Two remarks which are proper to this head, viz.
1. THAT the Spirit makes uſe of the Word, in His ſaving applications to the Souls of Men. We are here to conſider this under a Diſtinction, that we may not be miſtaken in it, as ſome are. The Word may be confidered, either as to the Truth contained in it, or as to the Manner of the application of it to Men, by the Spirit: As to the Former it is certain, that whether He treats Men Mediately, or Immediately, it is by the Word, i.e. by thoſe Truths which He applies to them, and reveals in them, that they are drawn, and by the efficacy whereof He perſwades them to comply with the Terms of the New-Covenant; for He deals with Men, as with Reaſonable Creatures, and they are the very Truths that are contained in the Word, which He imprints upon them, whereby they are won: Though He hath ſometimes Revealed them more Immediately to them. We are therefore ſaid to be begotten by it, Jam. 1.18. And in regard of the Latter of theſe, though the Spirit is not neceſſarily tied to the external diſpenſation of the Word; as will be evident in the next: (but as He can do it by Himſelf without it, ſo He hath not ſaid, that He ever will,) yet He hath given us to underſtand, that this is the ordinary and appointed Medium that He uſeth in this affair; elſe that had been inargumentative, Rom. 10 14. How then ſhall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how ſhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how ſhall …ey …ear without a preacher? This is the way that He hath choſen, and given us the only encouragement to wait for it. Hence that, Exed. 20.24. In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bleſs thee. And Rom. 1….17. So then ſaith cometh by hearing, and Leaning by the word of God. And Chap. 1.16. For I am not aſhamed of the goſpel of Chriſt: for it is the power of God unto ſalvation, to every one that believeth, to the Jew firſt, and alſo to the Greek.
2. THAT the whole Efficacy of the Word for this end, entirely depends on the Co-operation of the Spirit with it. As the Spirit will not ordinarily apply himſelf, but with the Goſpel; ſo the Goſpel cannot, of it ſelf, accompliſh this end, except the Spirit ſet in with His Power to ſucceed it. Hence that, Zech. 4.6. Not by might, nor by power, but by my ſpirit ſaith the Lord of hoſts. That the Word it ſelf cannot alone do it, will be ſeen from the Nature and Uſe of it; and may be conſidered under the next particular: and that it is not in the Power, either of the Man himſelf to apply it ſavingly to himſelf, nor in the Power of any Man or Men, who are uſed in the Diſpenſation of it, is evident, both by the Greatneſs of the work it ſelf, which requires the ſame Power that was exerted in the Reſurrection of Chriſt, (Eph. 1.18, 19.) and by the Impotency of Man, either to do it for himſelf, or for another. The Man cannot change himſelf, who is dead in treſpaſſes & ſins; and the beſt of Men can only ſpeak to the Ear, but cannot mollify the Heart. And this is eminently exemplified in the diverſe Subjects of the Goſpel Adminiſtrations; it is notorious, that thoſe that enjoy the ſame Means, ſet under the ſame Miniſtry, have the ſame external Helps, and advantages afforded them, do yet give a different Entertainment to them: Some are Enlightned, others are Blinded; ſome Softned, and ſome Hardned. The Apoſtle gives us a ſolemn account of this affair, 2 Cor. 2.15, 16. For we are unto God a ſweet ſavour of Chriſt, in them that are ſaved, and in them that periſh. To the one we are the ſavour of death unto death: and to the other the ſavour of life unto life: and who is ſufficient for theſe things? Yea, many times, the moſt unlikely are gained, when the moſt likely, and of whom there were greater hopes, are obſtinate and impenitent. Hence that, Matth. 21.31. Publicanes and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
III. WE are here to take notice of the true and proper Cauſality of the Word in this concern, viz. it is Instrumental. And this is to be argued from the two former; for it the whole work that is done in the bringing of a Sinner, from a ſtate of Nature, to that of Grace, and thro' Grace to that of Glory, be aſcribed to the Word, there muſt needs be ſome Cauſality attend it: and if it can do nothing of it ſelf, but all its Energy depends on the holy Spirit, then it can claim no other Cauſality, but that of an Inſtrument. For it belongs to the Natures of an Inſtrument, to be made Uſe of by an Agent in the doing of a work, in which it moves, but as it is moved by the Ag…nt: only to render it an Inſtrument, there is ſuppoſed to be in it, and Aptitude, or at leaſt a Capacity of being uſed in the bringing about of the …. Only we are here to obſerve this difference between the Spirit, who is a Divine Agent, and Second Brings, that are Created Agents, that theſe can uſe Inſtruments, no further than they have the Vertue in them; whereas He can put the Vertue to the Inſtrument, to cauſe it to ſerve to His end or deſign; yea, He can with it communicate that Vertue to the Subject, which ſhall accompliſh his purpoſe effectually. Nevertheleſs, it muſt be acknowledged, that the Spirit hath accommodated the Word to be a ſuitable Organ, by which to work on the Hearts of ſinful Men. This will be evident, if we conſider it as a Moral Inſtrument, to work on the Rational Powers that are in us, to draw us, … Cauſes by C…ſel, to comply with thoſe things that are ſervicable to advance our Salvation. For we muſt here obſerve, that as in the Production of the Habits of Grace in us, we are Pa…e: ſo the work is done by the Spirit alone, by a Creating Power, in which there is no Inſtrumentality of any thing; but as we are drawn to comply with the Terms of the Covenant of Grace, and ſpontaneouſly to exerciſe N… Obedience, and proſecute the buſineſs of Salvation; ſo the Word is made uſe of by the Spirit, and ſo applyed to our Underſtandings, with, and Affections, that being by the mighty influence of God thus ſet home, we are Helped by them, and thro' them it is that the Spirit brings us this Help; ſo that the diſcoveries there made, the Rules there laid down, the Motives and Arguments there repreſented, are the things that are ſet home upon our Hearts; and the Spirit with them perſwades us to Believe them, to Entertain them, and Reſign our ſelves up to the guidance, and conduct of them. And tho' this Efficacy accompanies the Word, where it comes with Power, yet it derives from Him who only can ſo work upon our Moral Powers, as to give them both Ability & Exerciſe. But the particular way and manner of this will come to be conſidered in the ſequel.
IV. WE are pointed to the Way in which it becomes Effectual to this end, viz. By the Reading, and ſpecially by the Preaching of it to Men. We are here, in general to obſerve, that for the Reading of the Word, Inſtrumental in this affair, there is an Application of it neceſſary to be made to us; and becauſe it is a Moral Medium, it muſt be applied to our Moral Powers, ſuitable to our Nature & Capacity. Now it is certain, That there is this order in ſuch a Conveyance, …. The Truths of the Word are firſt applied to the Underſtanding, by which we may know the meaning, and diſcern the reaſon of them, for here all humane Actions begin; and being approved by the Judgment, it muſt be paſt over to the Will for its Election, whereby it embraceth the Truth commended, and is won over to it; and from thence it is imprinted on the Affections, to which the Will commits the Proſecution of the choice which it hath made, and by which it performs its Imperate Actions. Hence, in …er to the Word's being made ſervi…le to this purpoſe, it is requiſite, that the Underſtanding be irradiated to Diſcern the Truth in its admirable Excellency … is the pr…per w…k of the Spirit, and without it the … it ſelf cannot obtain; for th… it gives … Light, yet it doth not give us Eye-ſight, that being proper to Him alone to open the eyes of the Mind: Hence his Prayer, Pſal. 110.1…. … eyes, … I may … things … of …y ….) So it is …o leſs requiſite that the Truth it ſelf be ſet home upon the Heart, and the Man have the Light of it, that he may know what he Believes & Entert…s: and the Matter of this is contained in the Word of God, in which … all the Rules both of …, and Manners are contained, which are … in their Order for our Salvation. And becauſe God Reveals Himſelf to us in theſe things Medi…ely and hath choſen the Word to be the great Medium for th…, it is requiſite that there be ſome Medium for the Conveyance of it to our Underſtanding, and by that to our Wills and Affections. Now the Means that are moſt conveniently fitted for this Conveyance to us, are the Reading & Pr…hing of the Word: It is certain, that (tho' there are the reli…s of the Law upon the Conſciences of Natural Men, tho' …ark and confuſed, yet) the Knowledge of the Truth … it is in Jeſus, or of the way to Improve any Divine Truth, in order to Salvation, hath no rooting in the Natural Mind, but it muſt be ſome way imported to us from Abroad, by Revelation; till when, we remain utter Strangers to any ſuch thing; and therefore there muſt be the Means for this. Now it hath pleaſed God to bring this home to us, in & with His exciting us to Improve the Powers ſeated in us, with which He conveys His Bleſſing to us; and theſe are the things under Conſideration, viz. the … and Pre…ing the Word. In both of … the Word is the ſubject, but there is a difference in the manner of the Conveyance; and the difference aimed at between theſe two, I ſuppoſe is, that in the one there is a Perſonal or Private uſing of the Word; in the other there is an Open and Publick Diſpenſation of it: in the Former, either the perſon himſelf Rea… the Scripture; or if he have not the skill, he may make uſe of ſome other to Read it to him; in Preaching, the Word is not only Read, for that is not properly Preaching, but it is Opened; the Truths contained in it laid open, and Applied to the Hearers Conſciences for their Practice accordingly. And hence it follows, that …th of theſe are Duties preſcribed by God, to ſuch as He hath ſeen meet to communicate His Word, and Providentially called them into Religious Societies. There are here Two Aſſertions in gen… to be laid down concerning both of th…ſe conjunctly.
1. THAT both Reading & Preaching the Word are Evangelical Duties: i. e. They are required of ſuch is are under the Goſpel Diſpenſation
2. THAT Both of theſe are made uſe of by the Spirit, for the furtherance of the Salvation of Men. And we may take an account of thoſe ſeverally.
(1.) IN reſpect of the Reading of the Word▪ That th… … made a Me… of Salvation, will be evident if we conſider …ſe things▪
1. THAT it hath theſe God for … & gr… …io… … His Word 1. Writing. The Writing of there ſacred Truths, is accidental to the Word, which is properly the Truths which God … to Man for his Salvation; hence called The Word of Truth, Ep…. 1.13. And thoſe Trut…s were at firſt Extraordinarily revealed to ſome, and then … to others by wood of Mouth; but it pleaſed God to …der, … His Time, the recording of theſe, and that in good Will, that they might be pe…e…ved for the Benefit of His …; as therefor: they were given by In…, (2 T…. 2.16.) ſo the Writers of … were inſtigated to it, as well as a…ſted in it, by the Spirit of God. (2 Per. 1.22.) and this … ſingular Favour to thoſe who enjoyed it, and was once a diſtinguiſhing Privi…ge beſtowed on Iſrael, (Pſal. 1…7.19, 20.) And hence mentioned as an Aggravation of … Sin, ( …. 8.12.) And by … are theſe …ed Archives preſerved from Generation to Generation.
2. THAT hence i… muſt needs be a D…y of … that have it, to get acquainted …. The … of God doth not work after the manner of …, but as a Moral Inſtrument, which is to be applied to the Reaſon and Conſciences of Men; and hence it can no farther do them a Kindneſs than as they have the Uſe of their … Powers; they muſt therefore ſome way know, what there is in it, how elſe ſhall they Uſe their Reaſon for the Application and … …vement of it, for their own Benefit: The … of this Knowledge is Deſtructive, H…ſ. 4.6. And the Scriptures become able to make Men Wiſe t… Salvation, only to ſuch as Know them, 2 …. 3.15.
3. THAT Reading of the Word is one proper … by a …. …e… it is neceſſary, that either God ſhould immediately Inſpire Men with this Knowledge, or that it b… heard by the Man himſelf, or by ſome other, that may be able to give him an Account of the Truths contained in it Beſides, the Word is of daily Uſe for a Chriſtian, and …ght to be the Man of his Ca…ſe…s, as David ſaith, Pſal. 11….24. The Memory alſo is very reacherous, and we have not always the Opportunity of the Preaching of it; but we have the written Word at all times to repair to, both for our Direction, our Awakening, and our Encouragement.
4. THIS Word contains in it all theſe Truths that are neceſſary for the pointing us to the way of Salvation, and establiſhing of us in it. Of the Perfection of the Scriptures we have formerly conſidered; and of the ſpecial Uſefulneſs of it in the furtherance of our Salvation, will be particularly conſidered in the next particular: And that it muſt needs be Perfect in this re…d, is evident, becauſe it was given by God, to be the Rule of Life; and certainly the Infinite Wiſdom who is the Author of it, could not fail of making it every … to anſwer the end for w…ich He hath given … Man. Our Saviour therefore uſeth ſuch an Argument to pe… …ad… them to the careful Reading of it. …. 29. Search the … …n them … eternal life. And we are acq…inted with the fulneſs of ſuſ…tency there is in it for the advancing of this Deſign, Pſal. 1….7. … It muſt needs therefore … all the other Writings in the World, …, being … …u… needs be Defective, and labour of … And this cannot but …ommned them to the Reading of all.
5. IT is by the frequent Reading & Me…i…ing of the Word that … God and not do … who neglect it. We find that David delighted in Conver…ing with the Word of God; and … us what he gained by it Pſal. 119.97, &c. For as the Word is the Store-houſe of ſaving Truths, … of it is one help in our Digging for them, that we may find and enjoy them. And God, who hath required this Duty of us, hath promiſed His Blesſing to this Diligence, and threatned ſuch as neglect ſo to do; and we are told, Hoſ. ….3. T…e… ſou… we know, if we f…llow …n to know the Lord.
6. HENCE there are theſe C…rr…ries which do rationally follow from the Premiſes; 1. THAT Chriſtian Parents are under a potent Obligation to ſee that their Children are taught to Read. And the too great neglect of ſo important a Duty is to be rebuked, eſpecially in Places where there i… Advantage for it. Truly, If we go no further than the Conſideration of the Uſefulneſs of it for Human Society, it would be enough to urge it; and the want …f it renders Perſons unfit for many Services, which otherwiſe they might Profit themſelves by, and through this Defect they render themſelves Contemptible: but when we conſider, that God hath ſt…red the hidden Treaſures of Wiſdom in the Records of His Word, which muſt ly by as a Book ſealed, as to thoſe that cannot Read; doubtleſs all Parents that have regard to the Souls of their Children will be very carefull to obtain for them this Benefit … the neglect hereof muſt leave them guilty of brituſh Inhumanity. 2. THAT ſuch as have their Underſtanding, ought to have them Ba…es, and to make daily Uſe of them. It is ſurely a taken of great Irreligion, when we come into a numerous Family, and can ſcarce find a Bible there; we muſt rationally conclude, that there is little or nothing of the Fear of God in that Family: And it is a vain and inſignificant Plea, for any to pretend their …bility to furniſh themſelves and theirs, with this moſt neceſſary and deſirable piece of Houſhold-ſtuff▪ ſince they can find wherewithal to furniſh themſelves with that which is leſs neceſſary; and it argues much of Atheiſm, and little concernedneſs for their own Souls, and the Souls of theirs Nor is it leſs ſinful in thoſe that have them, that they let them ly by as things uſeleſs, and ſeldom, if ever, make uſe of them, or call upon theirs to Converſe … them; and yet it is …ly to be feared, that there are too many who … did be called Chriſtians, are deeply Charg…ble with this Fault: Doubtleſs this Neglect argues a great Contempt of this great Kindneſs of God, in that He affords them ſuch a Privilege: And a Bible that lies by covered with Duſt for want of uſing, will riſe up in Judgment againſt ſuch another Day. 3. THIS ſhews us the Neceſſary of having the Word of God to be Tranſlated into the Vulgar Languages If it be the Duty of all Chriſtians, the Unlearned as well as the Learned, to Read and acquaint themſelves with the Word of God, it is neceſſary that it be accommondated to their Capacities, elſe it can be of no Profit to them. All Men who are concerned to know the Scriptures, are not, nor can they be acquainted with the Original Languages in which they were firſt Penned, and ſo without a Tranſlation they would be ſerviceable but to a few, who are Learned, and others muſt be deprived of ſo unvaluable a Treaſure. We are therefore deeply beholden to God, that He hath ſtirred up ſuch as were able and faithful, to make the Word ſpeak to us in our Language, and render the Myſteries of Salvation intelligible to us. Let us then be Thankful▪ and herein teſtify our Gratitude, by out making diligent Uſe of it, which if we do not, we …all render our ſelves inexcuſab…e. 4. IT tells us, That they are Enemies to Chriſt and Souls, who Forbid the Uſe of the Scriptures to the People. That it is ſo in the Popiſh Dominions, is notoriouſly known; in which, as Tranſlations into the Vulgar Language are forbidden, ſo the Uſe of the Word of God is ſtrictly prohibited to all but ſuch as obtain a ſpecial Licence for it. And it is made, not Criminal only, …ut expoſeth Men to all Cruel Perſecutions, ſo much as to have a Bible in their Houſes; herein directly contradicting the Command of Chriſt, who bids all to ſearch the Scriptures: and thus keeping Men in Ignorance of the things of their Peace, and enſlaved to their blind and Idolatrous Superſtitions. What an awful Account will theſe have to give up to God and … Day? And how Miſerable muſt the Condition of thoſe enſlaved People be, from whom the Key of Divine Knowlege is thus kept by thoſe who will not themſelves enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, nor ſuffer thoſe that would, to enter? Let us then Pray to God, That He will ſhew His Compaſſion to thoſe that fit in this Darkneſs for want of the holy Scriptures; That He will remove the Tyranny, and reſtore to them this Liberty: And let us gratefully acknowledge the ſignal Favour of God, that we dwell in G…ſhen, where th…e is this Light and Liberty; and carefully make uſe of the peculiar Privilege that we hereby enjoy, ſeeking for the Spirit to make this Word powerful in us, for our Salvation.