42 INWARD WITNESS TO CHRISTIANITY. [SEEM. III.. by the ministration of this gospel. The sum, and sense, and substance of this divine doctrine, communicated to the nations in various forms of speech, and in different phrases, made à divine impression on their minds, being attended by the power of the blessed Spirit ; and while it stamped its own sacred image on their souls, it transformed their natures into holy and ,heavenly, and created so many new witnesses to the truth of the gospel, for it begun eternal life in them. Consider then, christians, and be convinced, that the gospel has a more noble inward witness belonging to it, than is derived from ink and* paper, from precise letters and syllables: And though God, in his great wisdom and goodness, saw it necessary that the New 'Testament should be written, to preserve these holy doctrines uncorrupted through all ages; and, though he was pleased to appoint the written word to be the inva- riable and authentic rule of our faith and practice, and make, it a glorious instrument of instructing ministers and people to salvation in all these later times : Yet Christianity has a secret witness in the hearts ofbelievers, that does not depend on their knowledge and proof of the authority of the scriptures, nor of any of the con- troversies that in late ages have attended the several manuscript copies, and different readings and transla- tions of the bible. Now this is ofadmirable use and importance in the christian life, upon several accounts : As, 1. If we consider how few poor unlearned christians there are, who are capable of taking in the arguments which are necessary to prove the divine authority of the sacred writings ; and few, even among the learned, can well adjustand determine many of the dit;érentreadings, or different translations of particular scriptures. Now a wisechristian does not build his faith and hope merely upon any one or two single texts, but upon the gene- ral scope, sum, and substance of the gospel, the great doctrines of the satisfaction for sin, by the blood of Christ, and the renewal of our corrupt natures by the Holy Spirit, the necessity of faith in Christ, repentance of sin, and sincere holiness, in order to salvation and heavenly glory; and by these he feels a spiritual life of peace and piety begun in him: And here lies his evidence
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