An ExpJJ(ttion of the Epifole ~ Now then to handle in the firll place that Second thing mentioned, viz, wi1at Sermort it is in the work of Convedion, \which I have proved to be the fcope of the X)\<!',I:• • Apollle to take in, a 0 defpe·cially to aim at,) I fay 1 what is that lhould draw forth v-v""'-J fo great a power frorrlGdd 1 to have ali thefe l'ugh and m1ghty expreilions of it, The exceedi11ggrr~111e[s of the mtght of hiS power. There are great Difpures in the World, what power God putteth forth in con– verting men to him. My Brethren, believe not difcourfes ot' it, but believe the· Holy Gholl himfelf, If you would know what power is put forth in any work, ask the Agent himfelf. Who is he that lets fall thefe words, but he that bath con-' verted Millions ofSouls,whois-tbe"Power ofthe highefl, as he is called Luk. Ll). He it is that bath indited this Scripture, and he faith no lefs goerh to it than the exceedi11g greatltcfs of' his Power. Oftentimes the Standers-by, they difcern it nor. When the Woman was healed by a touch of the hem of Chrifl's Garment, thofe tha_t llood bydifcerned no fuch thing : Hear Chrill fpeak; faith he, Virttlf is gone from me; he could bell tell. Becaufe the Holy Gbofi cloth work often– times in men's hearts in a trice; like unto a firong man that bath a flight of hand, rakes up aWeight in fhew eafily,hebce therefore men think tbat thete isno great power goeth to the work; but the Man himfelf that dotb thli thing thus iligbtly, he can tell you what firength he putteth' to it. So the Holy Ghofi, he that was the lnditer of this Epifile, be telleth us, that the exaedi"ggreatnefs of his Power went to the converting of you, Now, my Brethren, though this be enough to fettle your hearts in it, yet confider the work it felt~ what it is that requiretl1 this power, All wife Agents do proportion their power unto the work they have in hand; he that lpends more power than the thing requireth, it is folly. And God (you know) works all things in weight and meafure. Let us confider therefore what there is in this great work, 11\ould draw forth the txceedinggreatuefs of the Power of God. .Accordi11g (faith he) to the rxceedi11ggreattufs of' his power to tu-ward. The word,;,;,.;;, either is towards tu, as noting an extrinfecal agency, an A– gency without us, yet which concerns us; or it noteth out ilt tu. We will confi- · der firfl, what God doth when he bringeth a man home tohim,wbich is an rin– fetal work out of him, And Secondly, what be cloth in him; and fo we lhall by degrees /hew you, that there is an exceedittggreattufs of Power required to this work. In the firfi place,What God cloth extrinfeeally toward a man,and for a man,befides what he cloth in him. Firfi, When be eo<~verteth a man, he cafleth the Devil out of him; that is one thing that is done for a man, befides what is done in his own heart; and there is an exceedi11ggreattuJS ofPower goeth to this. In Matt. rz.z8.our Saviour Chrifi there, from his having cafi out aDevil, and there faying, he did it by the Pri11a of' 'Dtvi!s, he clears the point, and he rifeth up to the point of Converfion, (for that is his fcope likewife,) and he fheweth that it mufl be a Divine power that mufi cafi the Devil out of a man, and when you are turned to Qod the Devil is cafl out of you. Saith he, If 1 cafl o11t 'De:JJts 6y the Spirit of God, then the 1-wgdcmof God zs cometmtoyotl; E!fe (fauh he) hiY'..v cat1 ot1et11ter into aflrong man's hottfe, aud Jpoi! hisgoods, except hefirjl biud the Jlrottg mmt and then he wi/Jj'poi! bis hottje1 ' To open this place unto you a little. E~ery man befor~ his Convefion,as he is a Childof S~tan,fo( as Chap.z. verj.z: of tillS Ep1flle bath It) the Devil works effectually m bun while he is a Child of 'Dtjohedunce; .h~ cloth nde and act,and fill the hearts of men,as you have itAfi.)• You fhall find th1s m Scnptur~, that the w1ckednefs of men is exprell to you by bow many Dev1ls they have m them, as Luke 11,26. when be would defcribe a man's !tare to be in a worfe condition than his former, He takes fevm 'Devils worfe ~hrm him(elf,m;dthey mter i11to the man. . According to the proportion of amans w1ek~dnefs '.n the fiate ofNature,ac~ordmgly bath he Devils that poffefs Ius Soul, that IScertam. Accordmg (faith he m that Eph. ~.2.) tothe Prince ofthe power of the Air, the Spirit that works hOW i11 the Cbildrm of 'Difohediettcr, works not in you as he was wont to do, for he is eafi out; he works now,but not in you,You walk thus and thus,not ~eS)rding to the pown· of tht PrillCl ofthe Air. Therefore
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