84 SERMONS upon Serin. io. Mar. 3. 17. Lo, a Voice from Heaven, frying, This h my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleated : agreeing with the Prophecy of him, !fa. q 2. I. Behold my Servant whom I up- hold, my Elea in whom my Soul deltghteth. At his Transfiguration before three Perfons, that for the Holinefs of their Lives were of great Credit, tat. 17. 5. Before all his Difciples, John 12. 28.. Father, glorify thy Name : Then came there a Voice from Heaven, frying, ¡have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. To the World,at his Refurreli- on, Alb i7 31. Whereof be bath given affxrance unto allMen, in that he bath railed him from the dead. To which Refurrelion the yews were confcious. Thofe that reported it, wrought Miracles ; there Men fought not themfelves, had no Advantage, but vi- lible Hazards 5 their Witnefs was agreeable to the Writings of the Prophets ; the Do- ctrine built on i , 'very fatisfalory 5 there is in it what every Religion pretendeth to, tho in a higher way 5 tho Miracles are now ceafed, yet it is confirmed by the Truth of the Word, God continually confirmeth it by the Seal of the Spirit, and there is an in- ward Certioration, whereby Believers are fatisfied. John 18.37. For this caufe came I into the World, that I fbonld bear witnefs unta the Truth : Every one that is of the Truth, heareth my hoice; that is enlightned by the Holy- Gho(t, receiveth and believeth it, but thofe that have a mind to wrangle, God will not fatisfy. And then for his Miracles, they were not Miracles of Pomp and Orientation, not defirulive Miracles, but Allions of Relief. When the Pharifees faid, He caffeth oat Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of De- vils. Mat. 12. 24. He proveth that his main aim was to call out Satan, ver. 26. If Sa- tan calf out Satan, he is divided againff himfelf. Would Satan confent that his Kingdom fhould Eall ? He would not go to difpoffefs himfelf. All his aim was to promote Holi- nefs, and the Kingdom of God. I nom this5 I. That you may know, that the Apofileshad fufficient Means to convince the World of the certainty of the Chriftian Doctrine. The inward Tellimony of the Spirit,the 4 pofiles would not alledg it ; by Miracles, and rational Probabilities they were fitted to deal with the World, and to appear as Witneffes for him, when they were to give an Account; Alts 5. 32. And we are Witnefes of theft things, andfo is the Holy -Ghoff whom God hatb given to them that obey him. This inward Witnefs is proper to Believers ; the other may be alledged to Infidels : By the Spirit is meant there, a Power to work Miracles. 2. That you may know the way ofGod's working with Men: Afually all there three concur to the working of Faith 5 there is the Light of the Spirit,.external Confirmation, and the ufe of fit Inftruments. (I.) The Light of the Spirit, without which there can be no Grace nor Faith. I John 5. 6. It is the Spirit that beareth Witnefs, becaufe the Spirit is true : That is, That Word which the Spirit himfelf hash revealed, is Truth, for he is not only the Author and Inditer of the Word, but the Witnefs ; he worketh in the Hearts ofthe Faithful fo, that he perfuadeth them of the Truth of the Word. (2.) There is external Confirmation : Tho Miracles ceafe, yet we have the Teftimo- ny and Confent of the Church, who by undoubted and authentick Rolls bath commu- nicated her Experience to us, which is vifibly confirmed by the Providence of God, not fuffering the Truth to be opprefjed. (3.) There is the ufe of fit Iniruments, fpecially gifted for this Purpofe : Tho the Eifel of the Word doth mainly depend on the Spirit, yet there is a Minifterial Efficacy in the Meffengers; Alls 14.1. They fofpalte, that a multitude both of the Jews, and alp; of the Greeks believed. Not that the Faith of the Hearers doth meetly depend upon the excellency of the Preacher : Yet certain it is, that one way of preaching may be more fit to convert than another, both in regard of Matter and Form. Pure Dollrine, for the Matter, is more apt to convert, than that which is mixed with Fallhood; as pure Water cleanfeth better than foul, and good Food nourifheth better than that which is in part tainted. He that can divide the Word aright, and prudently apply it, is more powerfi to work, than he that feeth by an half Light, or preffeth Truth loofly, and not with Judgment and Solidity. Not as if they could infallibly convert, but they are more likely; they do not carry the Grace of Converfion in their Mouths. Then for the Form, with more plainnefs, clearnefs, ftrength of Argument. God hath given ffo forne Gifts above others, not to bind himfelf to them, but in the way of Inftruments they ire more powerful, rho the weakefl Gifts are not to be defpifed. And in the quality of the Perlons, Holy Perlons are more polirhed Shafts in God's Quiver. 3 I
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