VER. 152.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 121
man were not prepossessed and leavened with prejudice and corrupt affections, he could not choose but see it. That there is such an objective evidence or aptitude in the doctrine itself to beget faith in those that consider it, is plain from that of the apostle : 2 Cor. iv. 2-45 ' By the manifestation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man s conscience in the sight of God ; ' without miracle, or other confirmation, if they had a clear eye : it is light which discovereth itself, and all things else. The reason why it is not seen is not in the object, because of any defect there, but the faculty, the visive faculty ; their eyes are blinded with worldly lusts. Well., then, when things are spoken so becoming the nature of God, and so agreeable to the necessities of man, and with such an evidence of reason, not to the law only, but also to the gospel, as to establishing of a way of com- merce between God and us, and exempting us from the grand scruples that haunt us, though these things could not be found out by human wit, yet now they are revealed, they carry a great suitableness there- unto.
[2.] And partly by the testimony of the Spirit, this is one way of confirming the truth of the gospel : Acts v. 32, ' We are his witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him ; ' where the apostles are mentioned as one sort of witnesses, and the Holy Ghost as another. The great office of the Spirit is to testify of Christ Jesus : John xv. 26, ' Even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.' The doctrine of the gospel concerning Christ's coming and power is so great a mystery that it is not believed and received in the world with- out the Spirit. Upon the beginning of Christ's ministry, in his baptism, the Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. Now the Holy Ghost doth two ways bear witness of Christ — eVre^z/co?, are^co?, arti- ficially, and inartificially. Artificially, per modum argumenti ; and inartificially, per modum testis ; partly as he doth afford sufficient matter of confirmation and conviction in those miraculous operations in the primitive times, and also as he doth persuade the heart, and convince us of the truth of the gospel.
[3.] There is experience of the truth of the word in God's hearing prayers : Ps. lxv. 2, ' 0 thou that nearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.' Fulfilling promises : Ps. xviii. 30, ' Thy word is a tried word ; he is a buckler to ail that trust in him.' Punishing the wicked : Hosea vii. 12, ' I will chastise them as their congregation hath heard.' Kewarding according to the rules set down in the word, Eom. i. 18, and Heb. ii. 3 ; but of this by and by. 3. Why we must understand, consider, and believe? Ans. Both in order to our comfort and duty.
[1.] Comfort. If the certainty of the scriptures were more under- stood, believed, and thought of, we should be more fortified against fears and sorrows, and cares and discouragements, whencesoever they do arise ; for as fire well kindled doth easily break forth into a flame, so assent freely laid doth fortify the heart against trouble. It is very notable when the apostles would raise the joy of faith, they plead the certainty of the doctrine they delivered ; for it was comfortable in itself, suitable to the necessities of man ; all that needed was to assure
122 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [Sek. CLXX.
others of the truth of it — see 1 John i. 1-4 — that their joy might be complete and full, upon this certainty of evidence, and complete de- monstration. We could not be so comfortless and dejected, if we were persuaded of the reality of these things. So 2 Peter i. 8, ' Be- lieving, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious.' We should love Christ, and rejoice in the believing confident expectation of enjoying of him. And where this is firmly believed, afflictions cannot damp or hinder this joy. A firm trust in the promises of the word will fill a man with comfort, and strengthen him against all diffi- culties, Ps. lvi. 4-10.
[2.] Our obedience would be better promoted, it would be a remedy against boldness in sinning and coldness in duty : Heb. iii. 12, ' Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.' You cannot drive a dull ass into the fire : Prov. i. 17, ' Surely in vain is the net laid in the sight of any bird.' Men do not believe the everlasting verity of the scriptures, and therefore are so bold and venturous ; they think they shall do well enough after all God's threatenings : Zeph. i. 12, ' And it shall come to pass that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and will punish the men that are settled upon their lees, that say in their hearts, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.' Secondly, coldness in duty. How do the scriptures reason against neglect ? Heb. ii. 1-3, ' Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip ; for if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and every disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation ? ' The word spoken by angels was X0709 fiefiaios. Was only worth questioned ? No ; but the truth also, because so little believed, therefore so little thought of, less desired, least of all pursued and sought after : 2 Peter i. 16, ' We have not followed cunningly-devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of the Lord Jesus, but were eye- witnesses of his majesty/