A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 6 (Question 2 cont.)
SERMON VI.
Prop. IV. THAT this Word, which is the Rule, is contained in the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Teſtament. The holy Scripture are called a Rule Mero…y…i…ly, becauſe they, … in them all that is needful to be known, to guide or direct fallen man to the attainment of his chief …nd: and they were given by God … this very porpoſe, that they might ſhew to …an his way.
THERE are three things which will be here requi… …, viz.
(1.) That the Scriptures of … and New Teſtament are the Word of God.
(2.) That God hath given them to be our only Rule to direct us to our chief end.
(3.) That they are a ſufficient Rule to this purpoſe.
Article 1ſt. THAT the Scriptures of the Old and New Teſtament are the Word of God. This Concluſion muſt be cleared up, becauſe we have already heard, that the word of God muſt needs be our Rule: except therefore we are ſure that this is his word, we cannot reſt upon it, as our Rule, with any ſafety to our Minds: and tho' one would think it ſuperfluous, to do much here among Chriſtians, becauſe they profeſs their belief in this Article, yet when Atheiſm begins to put it ſelf forth, and the Scriptures to be reproached, and God blaſphemed upon their account, it is requiſite that young ones be confirmed in the evidence of this truth. Now there are two ſorts of Arguments uſed to prove things by: … which are drawn out of the thing it ſelf; and theſe are always the moſt evidencing, becauſe they contain the Reaſons of things in them: and I…rtificial, which are Teſtimonies given to a thing the …edit whereof is always depending upon the quality of the Witneſs. And we may prove the Scriptures to be the word of God in both theſe ways. They have good evidence in them, and they have good witneſs for them. I ſhall offer ſomething of both —.
Arg… 1. THE Scriptures ſpeak enough for themſelves to prove their …n Legitimacy. As the Sun proves it ſelf to be ſo by its own beams, ſo Scripture-light proves it ſelf to derive from the Father of lights. I do not mean, that it is therefore neceſſarily the word of God, becauſe it tells us … it is ſo: for it were an eaſy matter for men to make any fooliſh writing to ſay as much; but it hath ſuch qualities in it, as bear a manifeſt ſtamp of Divinity upon them and carry conviction that none but God could be the Author of them: and they are ſuch as theſe which follow.
1. THE gre… and g…ri…s Truths, that are therein diſcovered & …: Myſteries, which if God had not revealed them, they could never have been known: ſo far above humane underſtanding to have found them out, that now they are revealed, they are beyond its comprehenſion; hence ſand to paſs knowledge, (Eph. 3.19.)—things that lay …id for Ages; and had done ſo forever, if God had not revealed them, (v. 5.) — riches unſcarc…able, (v. 6.)— things that Angels themſelves admire, as not being able to graſp, (1. Per. 1.12.) — Myſteries great and unfathomable. 1 Tim. 3.16. Without com…cerſie, great is the myſtery of …neſs. — What elſe is the revelation of one God in three Perſons, an undivided Eſſence, containing in it three diſtinct Subſiſtences three and yet but one: So the hypoſtatical Union of the Divine & the Humane Nature in the Son of God; the reconciling of Juſtice & Mercy in the recovery of fallen man; the tranſlation of our guilt to Chriſt, and his Righteouſneſs to us; the nature and way of the work of Converſion, the giving of the Holy Ghoſt. — There are no footſteps of theſe things in the light of Nature, nor any diſcoveries to be made of them in the book of Creation and Providence. This is the Wiſdom of which is ſpoken, Job. 28.12, 13. Where ſhall Wiſdom be found? and where is the place of underſtanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. So Ver. 21, & 23. It is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept cloſe from the fowls of the air. God underſtandeth the way thereof, and …e knoweth the place thereof. Now theſe are the main ſubjects of Scripture-revelation: to which we may add the knowledge of the Covenants. Needs therefore muſt they be of God and no other.
2. THE Foretelling of future Events, which here certainly come to paſs according as predicted. It is the prerogative fo the true God thus to do. Hence that challenge, Iſa. 41.21, 22, 23. Produce your cauſe, ſaith the LORD; bring forth year ſtrong reaſons, ſaith the King if Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and ſhew us what ſhall happen: let them ſhew the former things … they be, that we may conſider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may knew that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be diſmayed, and behold it together. It is true, there are ſome Events, which ariſe out of natural cauſes, if not impeded. Hence there are fair probabilities. Hence Satan, who is a great Naturalliſt, foretels many things that do evene: Aſtrologers have their Predictions, that do ſometimes fall out right. But let … obſerve, that the Scriptures have things fore…d in them, which had no natural cauſe to in-digitate them, being arbitrary, pr…ter & ſupernatural, & contrary to the tendency of ſecond cauſes. It muſt needs therefore be a Divine Foreſight, that could acquaint the Children of men with them ſo long before hand, and declare the time, means & ways of them, & call out Inſtruments by Name, and that ſo long too before hand. There are too many of theſe upon Scripture-record to be here inſtanced: and ſeveral being ſuper-natural effects, could not be read in natural Cauſes. To be ſure, what concerns the coming of Chriſt, which takes up great part of the Old Teſtament, muſt undeniably be ſuch. Hence the Apoſtle (Gal. 3.8.) aſcribes to the Scripture a Foreſight, metonymically, becauſe the Author of it hath one. Now becauſe the futurition of contingent things depends upon his Will, who only can bring them to paſs, he only can aſſure us they ſhall be: and hence the fulfilling of Scripture-Oracles is a witneſs of their Divine Authority.
3. THE wonderful! Efficacy of the Scriptures upon the hearts and conſciences of men: The conquering power of it, and irreſiſtible operation of it, whether conſidered extenſively or intenſively.
EXTENSIVELY. How large an Empire hath this gained? And that by no carnal Stratagems, or outward force, but by its own ſpiritual energy. How did the word prevail in the Apoſtles days, when the preaching of tho Goſpel won ſuch Multitudes to the faith of Chriſt? For, th… Paganiſm & Mahometaniſm, and many Hereſies have been powerfully prevalent, yet they were things, either ſuted to the corruptions of men, or advanced by external force and policy. Whereas it is evident, that the Scriptures are levelled againſt all theſe Corruptions, and require the things that are moſt contrary to man's natural Inclinations. The Rich, the Wiſe, and Noble of the earth, Kings and Counſellors ſet themſelves againſt it. The Inſtruments, by which it was carried on, were poor, illiterate, ignoble, contemned ones. The rage and violence uſed to ſuppreſs it, expreſſed in all manner of Cruelties, was managed with greateſt fury. All which notwithſtanding, did this word go on conquering and to conquer. Col. 1.6. Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth alſo in you, ſince the day ye heard of it, and knew the g…e of God in truth. And from whence ſhould it derive this vertue? One that little loved it, could ſay of it; Acts 5.38, 39. If this counſel, or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.
(2.) INTENSIVELY. What work it doth make in a Soul, where it comes with power, they that have felt and found it can beſt tell. It's force is irreſiſtible. Heb. 4.12. For the word of God is quick, and powerfull, and ſharper than any two-edged ſword, piercing even to the dividing aſunder of ſoul & ſpirit, and of the joynts & marrom, and is a diſcern…r of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It's power of Conviction is very terrible and amazing. It can ſtrike mo… terrors into the Soul of a proud Sinner, than all the World beſides. It is compared to ſharp Arrows, Pſal 45.5. Thine …rrows are ſtory in the heart of the kings enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. One Line of it could ſet that proud King into an amazing horror: when he ſaw the hand-writing on the wall, 'tis ſaid, The King's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, ſo that the joynts of his lo…ns were looſed, and his knees ſmote one againſt another. (Dan. 5.5, 6.) Nay it ſtrikes the ſtout hearts of Devils themſelves, and fills them with Conſternation. Jam. 2.19. The Devils believe & tremble. It is compared to a Sword: Eph. 6 17. The ſword of the ſpirit, which is the word of God. And it cuts not Bodies but Souls One Sermon out of it wounded Three Thouſand at once, and laid them as dead men. Acts 2.37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart—. Again, it's power of Converſion is aſtoniſhing. This is it that converts the Soul. Pſal. 19.7. The low of the Lord is perfect, converting the ſoul: the teſtimony of the Lord is ſure, making wiſe the ſimple. Hence is the new birth aſcribed to it. 1 Pet. 1.23. Being born again, not of corruptible ſeed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth & abideth for ever. And in this work is the unperſwadible heart of man perſwaded: it raiſeth the dead to life, quickens them that were dead in ſin: it caſts down all the powers that did mightily oppoſe. 2 Cor 10.4, 5. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty thro' God, to the pulling down of ſtrong holds: caſting down imaginations & every high thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chriſt. It turns Sinners into Saints; Wolves, Bears & Lions into Men; Devils incarnate, into holy ones. (Iſa. 65. ult.) Again, It's power of Conſolation; it's efficacy in comforting diſconſolate and deſpairing Souls is great. Them that were dying of deſpondency, and all friends & creature helps could not ſupport, one word hath filled with Joy. Pſal. 19.8. The ſtatutes of the Lord are right, rejoycing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightning the eyes. In a word it's power is a ſaving power. Rom. 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. And could it be ſo, if it did not proceed from God?
4. THE Deſign, which is carried on through the whole Book of the Scriptures. There is one Aim, in which both the Old & New Teſtament do center, as the ultimate ſcope they are driving forward; and that is the glorifying God. The holineſs of the Scriptures proclaimeth who is their Author. They breath nothing but purity. They call upon, and direct ment to glorify him, that is the Author of them. They muſt have an Author: they could not dictate themſelves. This Author muſt be either God or a Creature: a third cannot be named. If a Creature, than either one that is wicked or one that is godly. It could not be a wicked, either Devil or men: for theſe are enemies to God and his glory, hate holineſs, and muſt needs croſs their own inclinations, and condemn themſelves. It would have thwarted all the deſigns of impure Creatures, to have given out a Rule ſo adverſe to their aims and ends. They therefore could not be Authors hereof. Neither could it be a holy, either Angel or Man: becauſe theſe are all of them bound for God's glory; and therefore could not arrogate to themſelves that honour, which he who is the Author of the Scriptures challengeth to himſelf; they have made him their laſt end, and therefore could not make themſelves ſo: they would not challenge to themſelves ſovereign power & authority over the Creature, call for adoration, challenge the Dominion & Kingdom. For they all cover their faces before God, and caſt their Crowns at his feet, and aſcribe all might, power, dominion and ſovereignty to him.
5. THE perfect Conſent or Agreement of the Scripture with it ſelf. Tho' it came thro' many hands, was written by ſeveral Men, who were uſed as Amanuenſes; yet it appears to be dictated by one and the ſame Spirit, becauſe of the excellent harmony there is in it. The ſtyle indeed is divers, the manner of expreſſion various; there is great diverſity between the language of the Old & New Teſtament: but yet the matter is agreeable. One writer doth not contradict another, nor do they charge each other with falſehood. One Prophet agrees with another, and all of them with Moſes. The Evangeliſts alſo and Apoſtles agree with them The later written books of the Bible do add confirmation to the former. The Goſpel gives aſſurance of the fulfilling of what was predicted in the law. (Luke 1.70.) There are indeed men of perverſe minds, that go about to ſet the Scripture at variance with it ſelf: but not withſtanding all their atheiſtical attempts, they cannot obtain. All may be reconciled, and it is only men's ignorance and prejudice, that leads them to ſuch atheiſtical attempts. They all agree in Chriſt, and center in him. Rom. ….31. Do we … make … the … through …aith? God …: yea, we eſtabliſh the …. Heb. 13 8. Jeſus Chriſt the ſame yeſterday and to day, and for ever.
6. THE Preſervation of this B…k mi… l…ſly, is alſo an co…d…nce that it is of God. To this alſo that of … is applicable, Acts …. …8. If this counſel, or this worke… of men, it … came to nought. The Five Books of Moſes are tho't to be the firſt and moſt ancient Books, that ever were: and yet they are ſtill preſerved intire, when the other Writers of thoſe Ages are almoſt forgotten, and ſcarce any fragments of them preſerved, and they that bear their names, are Inſpected to be ſpurious. Solamon's natural Philoſophy is lo…t in the ru…us of time, when his canonical Books are preſerved. The Books of the New Teſtament have abode more than One Thouſand and ſix hundred Years, whilſt multitudes of a later date are ſwallowed up in Oblivion. And that which adds to the confirmation of this evidence, is that whereas the world bare no prejudice to thoſe other writings but ſought their preſervation, yet the moth of time hath conſumed them: While Men and Devils have done their utmoſt to deſtroy the Bible, and could never obtain. God hath mirac…louſly preſerve… this Book . Wh… … the time of Heathen Perſecution all Bibles were to be burnt, and they …o …y with exquiſite tortures, that concealed them, yet all the ſearch, and all the cruelties uſed could not extinguiſh this light. God preſerved his word, becauſe it was his: yea, hath uſed enemies to preſerve it. The Jews, who ſtoned the Prophets, yet kept their writings, and why ſhould God ſo ſignally own it, if it were not his own?
7. THE glorious Majeſty of the Scriptures reſtifies for them. Compare all the writings in the world with theſe, and they muſt vail to, and fall down before them. For the Subject-matter of them, they are incomparable,—but of that already. For the manner of their delivery, they are moſt ſtately. The Style indeed is for the moſt part plain, but that takes not from their majeſty, but illuſtrates it. The Sun needs no Ornaments to emblazon it; it's own light is ſufficient. And yet when God pleaſeth, he gives ſtrains of grave Rhetorick imparallel. (See Job 39.19. &c. with many others which might be inſtanced.) It is moſt comprehenſive in it's delivery. Luther ſaid, he admired the fulneſs of Scripture. A Philoſopher reading Job. 1.1.—cried out. This barbarous man hath ſhut up more in theſe few words, than all the Philoſophers & Orators in their voluminous Writings. There is enough Majeſty in this word, to captivate all the Kings of the Earth, if they could but diſcern it. Pſal. 138.4, …5. All the …ines of the earth ſhall praiſe thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of …y mouth. Yea, they ſ…il ſing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord. Yea the very delivery of it is with powerfull majeſty. God ſpeaks it, like a God, with greateſt Authority. He ſummons all the Would to give attendance to him Pſal. 49.1, 2. Hear this, … ye people, give …ar all ye inhabitants of the world: B…h … & … & … … gether. So Pſal 50.1. The … God, … the Lord … ſpoken, and … the … the uſing of the ſun, unto the …. He gives his Edicts and menaces to the greateſt earthly Potentates Pſal 2.10, 11, 12. Becauſe near therefore, O ye kings: … ye …ſtra…ed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and … with …. Kiſs the Sea, leſt …e …e angry, and ye p…riſh from the way, when …s … is … has a little: … they that … their truſt in him. Another Inſtance you may ſee in Jer. …7.3, &c—And he confirms his Commands by his … Will, and gives no other reaſon many times for it, but, I am the Lord: and now who but God would ſpeak after this manner?
Arg. 2. THERE is alſo good Teſtimony, to prove to us that the Scriptures are the … of God; and that both Humane — Divine.
(1.) THERE is Humane Teſtimony, (which will at leaſt help, to confirm the former evidence) and that is of the Church. And here,
1. THE … gives … Evidence … …ticle, in which all the World, … …ge themſelves Chriſtians, are a…. The man that denies this, is in all men's account judged to have renounced Chriſtianity. And indeed, all the Chriſtian Religion is built upon the Scriptures ſo that the denial of one is the rejection of the other. Theſe Oracles of God are committed to the Church, (Rom. 3.2) and they are therefore to be witneſſes to them.
2. THE Faithful People & …dren of God is give the teſtimony of their even Experience to it. They have ſeen & ſ… the Divine vertue and efficacy of the word of God, and are thereupon able to ſet their ſeal to it. For they witneſs nothing but what they have ſeen & heard, 1 J…. 1. beg. They have found the irreſiſtible efficacy of the word, convincing, humbling, converting, comforting of them; have felt it to be all that to them which it is commended for in it ſelf 2 Cor 3.2, 3 Te are our epiſtle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: For as much at ye are manifeſtly declared to be the epiſtle of Chriſt, miniſtred by us, written not with ink, but … … the ſpirit of the living God; not in tables of ſtone, but in fl…ſhly tables if the heart.
3. THERE have been thouſands & millions of thoſe that have ſeal'd their Teſtimony with their Blood: and theſe are therefore called Martyrs or witneſſes of Chriſt. (Rev 2.13. Acts 22.20.) And tho' ſome ſometimes have dyed for a falſehood, yet they have been but few in compariſon; and theſe uſually with a dead, ſtupid, and ſenſeleſs frame of ſpirit Whereas the Martyrs have ſuffered with great Patience, Joy, Courage and higheſt Reſolution and have ſeemed to have been carried far beyond any natural ſtrength; the Spirit of glory & of God evide…ly reſting upon them. And what was it they died for? ſee Rev. 20.1. I …ate the … of them that were beheaded for the witneſs of Jeſus … for the word of God, and which had not worſhipped the …, neither his image, neither had received his work upon their foreheads, or in their …nds. And now out of doubt, ſuch a Teſtimony adds a great confirmation to this …th:—Multitudes were converted by it.
(2) THERE is Divine Teſtimony; which is infallible, it proceeding from God, who cannot ly. He hath not left himſelf without witneſs-…earing to this, That the Scriptures are his own word: and that, —
1. OUTWARDLY and Openly, by thoſe many …, which he hath ſet as a ſeal to the truth of them. A Miracle is ſomething wrought by a ſupernatural and divine power. And theſe have always been wrought to confirm the truth of Doctrines co…ned in the Scripture, and are for that reaſon called Signs. Heb. 2.3, … … ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great ſalvation; which at the …ſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God alſo bearing them witneſs, both with ſigns & w…ders, and with divers miracles, and … of hte holy Ghoſt, according to his own will? And whenever they are uſed, they are a voice from Heaven, ſpoken by God himſelf.
2. INWARDLY, in the Conſciences of all his People, by the Teſtimony of his Spirit, It is true, the Scripture i… a Rule to diſtinguiſh of ſpirits by: but ſtill it is the Spirit of God, who leaves glorious impreſſions of the Wiſdom, Majeſty, and Holineſs of the word of God upon the hearts of his Children; whereby they are made to diſcern the beauty of it, and apprehend the powerful efficacy of it: as Chriſt did to thoſe two Diſciples, Luk 24.32 And they ſoul one to another, D… not … heart … within us, while be talked with us by: be …y, and while be opened to us the ſcriptures! And to the reſt of them, Verſe 45. Then opened …e their underſtanding that they might underſtand the ſcriptures. And now the word of God is glorified in them, (2 Theſ. 3.1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free courſe, and be glorified, even as it is with you.) i. e. They apprehend a divine glory in …, and they apprehend the goodneſs, grace, power of God deriving it ſelf to them by and through the word, whereby they are fully aſſured, that that word which is able to work ſuch effects in and upon them, can be no other but the word of God: and all the policy of Hell, & Arguments of the ſubtileſt Enemies of the truth cannot prevail with them to relinquiſh this faith of theirs. And this is a witneſs that abides in men.
USE. LET this Conſideration provoke Young & O…d to love the Scriptures, to take delight in the holy Bible, ſet an high price upon thoſe Oracles which are contained in it: and let it engage you to be much converſant with it, and make it the man of your Counſels. If it be God's word, it muſt be full of Wiſdom; and will make you wiſe, if you be much in it. This is the way to have a great deal of Communion with God, to know much of him, whom to know is life Eternal. If you deſpiſe the word, you deſpiſe God himſelf: all the reflections that you make upon it, reflect upon him: and he will look upon himſelf as concerned to vindicate the glory of his own Name in it. If you would be wiſer, h…lier, more intimate with the great God than others, meditate in the Scriptures day and night. Only be ſure to look up to his Holy Spirit, to give you ſuch entrance into the …, as may give you life, and light, and warmth.
[JUNE 19. 1688.]