VeE. 7.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XV 11. 221
confirmed by the truth of the word ; God continually confirmeth it by the seal of the Spirit, and there is an inward certioration, whereby believers are satisfied : John xviii. 37, ' For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth : every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice;' that is, enlightened by the Holy Ghost, receiveth and believeth it ; but those that have a mind to wrangle, God will not satisfy. And then for his miracles, they were not miracles of pomp and ostentation, not destructive miracles, but actions of relief. When the pharisees said, ' He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils,' Mat. xii. 24, he proveth that his main aim was to cast out Satan : ver. 26, 'If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself.' Would Satan consent that his king- dom should fall ? He would not go to dispossess himself. All his aim was to promote holiness and the kingdom of God.
I note this : —
[1.] That you may know that the apostles had sufficient means to convince the world of the certainty of the christian doctrine. The inward testimony of the Spirit, the apostles would not allege it ; by miracles and rational probabilities they were fitted to deal with the world, and to appear as witnesses for him, when they were to give an account : Acts v. 32, ' And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.' This inward witness is proper to believers ; the other may be alleged to infidels. By the Spirit is meant there a power to work miracles.
[2.] That you may know the way of God's working with men, usually all these three concur to the working of faith — there is the light of the Spirit, external confirmation, and the use of fit instru- ments.
(1.) The light of the Spirit, without which there can be no grace nor faith : 1 John v. 6, ' It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is true;' that is, that word which the Spirit himself hath revealed is truth, for he is not only the author and inditer of the word, but the witness ; he worketh in the hearts of the fjiithful, so that he persuadeth them of the truth of the word.
(2.) There is external confirmation. Though miracles cease, yet we have the testimony and consent of the church, who by undoubted and authentic rolls hath communicated her experience to us, which is visibly confirmed by the providence of God, not suffering the truth to be oppressed.
(3.) There is the use of fit instruments, specially gifted for this purpose. Though the effect of the word doth mainly depend on the Spirit, yet there is a ministerial efficacy in the messengers : Acts xiv. 1, ' They so spake, that a multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.' Not that the faith of the hearers doth merely 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 doctrine, for the matter, is more apt to convert than that which is mixed with falsehood : as pure water cleanseth better than foul, and good food nourisheth better than that which is in part tainted. He that can divide the word aright, and prudently apply it, is more powerful to work than he that se.eth by an half light, or presseth truth loosely, and not with judgment and
222 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVI I. [SeR. X.
solidity. Not as if they could infallibly convert, but they are more likely ; they do not carry the grace of conversion in their moutlis. Then for tlie form, with more plainness, clearness, strength of argu- ment. God hath given to some gifts above others, not to bind himself to them, but in the way of instruments they are more powerful, though the weakest gifts are not to be despised. And in the quality of the persons, holy persons are more polished shafts in God's quiver.
[3.] I observe it to press you to regard all these things —
(1.) The power of the Spirit, if you would profit in Christ's school. The watering-pot will do nothing without the sun, nor the word without his testimony : 1 Cor. iii. 7, ' So then, neither is he tliat planteth any- thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.' The Spirit is to confirm truth to you by way of witness and argu- ment. By way of witness : 1 John v. 7. ' For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.' There is a secret persuasion, especially when you are reading and hearing, that insinuateth itself with your thoughts ; doubtless this is the word of God : Acts xvi. 14, ' Whose heart the Lord opened, that she at- tended to those things that were spoken by Paul' By way of argu- ment ; working such things, from whence you may conclude it is God's word : John viii. 32, ' Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' When ye are freed from the bondage of sin, then ye are enlightened to see the truth of the gospel ; by experience ye shall know the truth.