V er, I7. the 17th Chapter of St. JO FIN. 241 He that with a fincere mind, and ftudioufnefs of his own Salvation; delires to find out the Truth of the Scriptures, certainly God will fettle him. Vfe 2. Here is Advice to thePeople of God. 1. Prize this way of Difpenfation, biers Gód for it, that the Rule of Faith is. put into a fetled Courfe, the greatest Gift, next the Lord Jefus Chrift, that the Worldever had. The Scriptures are God's Charter given to Man, the Évidence of his Happiness; by which he holds Heaven and Grace, and all his Privileges in Chriff. Tho the Bible alone were 'extant in the World, here were fufficient Direction, a Dottrine full enough CO-guide us to Happiness ; and tho all the World were full of. Books, . if the Bible on- ly were wanting, you would have no fure Dottrine. Some Books are of Satan's in- diting, they that are full of Filthine6 and Fölly : Other Books Cmell of Men, there is not any other Book in the World, but hath fomething of Man in it, and a humane Spirit: But this is all of God, this is the Truth, the Touchffone'gf Words and Deeds. Other Writings fpeak Man's Heart, but this fpeaks to Man's Heart with a Divine Power : this is the Book, that is the belt difcovery of God's Heart to us, and our own tò our (elves ; iris _the Toltch[jtbne,_not only td try Doárines, but to try all Meng Difpofitions, how we ['rand affeáed to hint. 2. Reti in the certainty of this Doárine. We are fooli(h Creatures, and Would give Laws ro Hriven,and indent with God to believe upon our own Terms : Look as the Devil wouidindent with Chri(t; Mat.4.3. If thou be theSon of God, command that thefs,Stanes be made Bread. So-we indent with God, if it be his Word, let God teftify irby force Oracle, or Come vifible Difpenfation. We think it were better; and that the World had more Affurance, When God fpake in divers manners, than when the Canon and Rule of Faith is clofed up, and he fpeaks by Writing only, and not by Voice. No, God's Terms are furer than if a Man ( hould come from Hell, and fpeak to them. We are apt to think, if a Meffenger should conic up in Garments of flaming Fire, and preach of the Horrors of the World to come, then there would be no Atheilts : but there is a far greater certainty in such a Difpenfation as we are now under. Luke 16. 30, 3 t. If one meet unto them from the Dead, they will repent. And he fiid, If they hear ant'Mores, and the Prophets, neither will they be perfwaded, rho one arofe from the Dead. Satan.ffill appears to the blind World' in horrible (napes to terrify them; fo would we look upon this as an horrible shape, as the malice and cunning of the Devil. Nay, it is Curer, than if an Angel (liquid come from Heaven to preach the Gospel to us, for that would not be fuch,an abfolute Affurance. Gal. t. 8. For the we, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gofpel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accurfed. Nay, it is more Cure than an Oracle from God i tho that is as lure in it fell, becaufe it is from the true God, yet it is not fo lure to us. 2 Pet. t.tg. Wi have a more flee Ward of Prophecy: More fore than what? Than Vifions, and the Voice from the excellent Glory. He alludes to that Voice which tame from Heaver; Mat. 3. 17. This is my beloved Son, in whom I ant well pleafed. Ay but, faith he, We have a more fisreWerd of Prophecy. Therefore tell in this way of Difpenfation; do' not blame God, as if he had ìll provided for the Comfort and Safety of the Church. 3. Improve it to a solid Hope and Comfort, it is the Word of God, and venture upon it. If you be deceived, God hath deceived yos, as the Prophet faith, Jer. 4. to:. Venture upon the Promu es of God ; entertain the Precepts of it, as if God himself had fpoken them. t Theft 2. 13., For this caufe alfa thank we God without ceasing, be- caul when ye received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the Word of Men, but (as it it in Truth ) the Word of God, Which effeaually ivorketh a fó in you that believe. When you hear any particular thing prefl out of the Word, en- tertain it as if God fpake from Heaven. What will you venture upon God's Word in a way of Suffering ? And what Lull will you thwart and crucif, God by hi? Word commands? SER1VI,
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