66 A DISCOURSE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT, and boldness in profession, as it was with theeblind man healed by our Saviour himself, John viii. 31, 32, 53, 38, &c. But yet no outward effects of themselves can work upon the hearts of men, so as that all who are made partakers of them should be brought unto faith, thankfulness, and obedience. Hence, did not only our Saviour himself observe, that of ten at once cleansed by himof their leprosy, but one returned to give glory to God, Luke xvii. 7. But he whom he cured of a disease that he had suffered under eight and thirty years, not- withstanding a fallowing admonition given him by our blessed Saviour, turned informer against him, and en- deavoured to betray him unto the Jews, John v. 5, 8, 13, 14, 15. It is effectual grace alone which can change the heart, without which it will continue obstinate and unbelieving, under not only the sight and consideration of the most miraculous outward operations, but also the participation in ourselves of the benefit and fruits of them. Men may have their bodies cured by miracles, when their souls are not cured by grace. 17. Silly, It is thus placed distinctly by itself, and not placed under the common head ofmiracles, because or- dinarily therewere someoutward means and tokens of it that were to be made use of, in the exerciseof this gift. Such were, (1.) Imposition of hands. Our Saviour him- self its healing of the sick, did generally lay his hands on them, Matth. vi. 5. Luke iv. 40. And he gave the same order unto hisdisciples, that they should lay their hands on those that were side, and heal them, which was prac- tised bythem accordingly. (2.) Anointing with oil: they anointed with oil niany that were sick, andhealed them, Mark. vi. 13. and the elders of the church, with whom this gift was continued, were to come to him that was sick, and praying over him, anoint bim with oil in the name of the Lord, and heshould be saved, James. v.14, 15. Some do contend for the continuance of this cere- mony, or the anointing of them that are sick by the el- ders of the church, but without ground or warrant: for, although . it be their duty to pray in a particular manner for those that are sick, of their flocks, and it be the duty of them who are sick, to call for them unto that purpose; yet the application of the outward ceremony being instituted, not as a means of an uncertain cure, as all are which work naturally unto that end, but as a pledge and token of a certain healing and recovery; where there is not an infallible faith thereof, when the healing may not ensue, it is to turn an ordinance into a lie: for, if a recovery follow ten times on this anoint- ing, if it once fall out otherwise, the institution is ren- dered a lie, a false testimony; and the other recoveries manifested to have had no dependence on the observa- tion of it. For these reasons, I judge, that this gift of healing, though belonging unto miraculous operations in general, is every where reckoned as a distinct gift by itself And from that place of James, I am apt to think that this gift wascommunicated in an especial manner un- to the eldersofchurches, even that wereordinary and fix- ed; it beingof so great use, and such singular comfort to themthat were poor and persecuted, which was the condi- tion ofmany churches, and their members, in those days. 18. Miracles ensue, in the fifth place, lncynµxruLw. tesav, fifictual working of mighty powers, or powerfid works. For the signification of this word here rendered miracles, the reader may consult our Exposition on Heb. ii. I shall not thence transcribe what is already de- clared, nor is any thing necessary to be added thereun- to. Concerning this gift of miracles we have alsospoken before in general; so that we shall not much further in- sist upon it; neither is it necessary that we should here treat of the nature, end, and use of miracles in general, which, in part, also hath been done before. 1,Vherefare, I shall only observe some few things as to the gift itself, and the use of it in the church, which alone are our present concernment. And, (1.) As we before observ- ed, this gift did not consist in any inherent power or faculty of the mind; soas that those who bad received it should have an ability of their own to work or effect such miracles, when, and as they saw good. As this is disclaimed by the apostles, Acts iii. 12. so a supposition of it would overthrow the very nature of miracles; for a miracle is an immediate effect of divine power exceed- ing all created abilities; and what is not so, though it may be strange or wonderful, is no miracle. Only Je- sus Christ had in his own person a power of working miracles when, and where, and how he pleased, because God was with him, or the fulness of the Godhead dwelt . in him bodily. (2.) Unto the working of every miracle in particular, there was a peculiar act of faith required in them that wrought it, This is that faith which is called the faith of miracles, Have all faith, as that I could remove mountains, I Cor. xiii. 2. Now, this faith was not a strong fixingof the imagination that such a
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