SEEMON XL
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me ; and tlieij have received them, and have hnoion surely that I cayne out from iJiee, and they have believed that thou didst send one. — John XVIL 8.
Christ in this verse further explaineth the argument that was Tirged before, which was taken from their proficiency in his school, and that
VeR. 8.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 227
tliey had a right sense of and faith in the dignity and quahty of his person. This faith is set forth by all the requisites of it.
First, The means by which it is wrought ; that is, the word, the doctrine given to him by his Father, and by him to his apostles : for I have given unto them the ivords ivhich thou gavest me.
Secondly, The nature of faith, which consisteth in knowledge and acceptation : the?/ have hnoiun surely, and they have believed tliem. Arj- •x/^t? and yva)aL<i are the two acts of faith.
Thirdly, The object of faith, the mission of Christ, and his coming out from the Father : that I came out from thee, and they have believed that tliou hast sent me.
First, I begin with the means of faith : ' For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me.' The only difficulty is how the word was given unto Christ. Some think it is meant of the divine and infinite knowledge and wisdom which was communicated to Christ by eternal generation ; but that is very improper, qucecunque Christo dantur, secimdum humanitatem dantur. It is meant of that giving which Christ had as mediator, as the ambassador hath his instructions according to which he is to act. Now saith Christ, I have taught them according to the instructions which I received as mediator. These are said to be given, to be infused and revealed to his human soul.
1. Observe, the word is the proper means to work faith. We see here the apostles had no other means of salvation than Christ's word ; when Christ giveth an account of their faith, he doth not mention his miracles, but his doctrine. Again, he doth not speak only of the internal manifestation of the Spirit, ' I have manifested thy name ; ' but also of the outward revelation, ' I have given to them the words which thou gavest me.' We have a general saying, Eom. x. 17, ' Faith Cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' This is the usual method and way of grace's working ; God will insinuate the effi- cacy of his Spirit by outward counsel and instruction, and by the ear transmit his grace to the heart, that he might work foriiter, suaviter.
Use 1. It reproveth the folly of two sorts of men ; there are some that think the word cannot work unless it be accompanied with miracles, and others that think the Spirit will work without the word.
1. Those that think the word will not work without miracles, and therefore expect a reviving of miracles, to authorise that ministry which they mean to receive. Vain thoughts ! In the primitive times, when miracles were in force, we read of some converted by the word without miracles, but of none converted by miracles without the word: Acts xi. 20, 21, 'Some of Cyprus and Cyrene, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them ; and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.' They wrought no signs, only preached the Lord Jesus. There is not one instance in the whole word of any one converted by a single miracle. It is natural to us to idolise visible helps and confir- mations. Those mentioned Acts xi. were not apostles, but private brethren, who in that extraordinary time used tlieir gifts, and were successful.
2. Those that expect the illapses of the Spirit, without waiting upon the word. It is true God can work immediately, but the question is about
228 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [Ser. XL
his will. God is not tied to means, but wc are bound and tied. God may use his liberty, but this doth not dissolve our duty and obligation ; we are to lie at the pool, if we expect the stirring of the waters. There is a great deal of difference between the want of means and the con- tempt of them. I should always suspect that grace that is wrought in us in the neglect of the means. The regular way of faith is by the word; it hath pleased God to consecrate it. God could have converted the eunuch without Philip, but we are to submit to his will. Paul that I'cceived his consternation mii-aculously, had his confirmation from Ananias ; Christ had preached him into terror from heaven, but he sendeth him to Ananias for comfort.
Use 2. It stirreth us up to attend upon the word; it is God's instru- ment : Eom. i. 16, ' I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ ; for it is the power of God to salvation, to every one that believeth;' the meaning is, it is a pow-erful instrument to work faith ; as the first sermon that ever was preached, after the pouring out of the Spirit, converted three thousand souls. An angel could slay a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in a night by his own natural strength ; but it is easier to kill so many men than to convert one soul. All the angels in heaven, if they should join all their forces together, they could not convert one soul to God ; but yet this power will God discover in the ministry and co-operation of weak men. Those that do not delight to hear the word have no mind to see the miracles of grace. The power is of God, yet it is wonderfully joined Avith the word ; it is not enclosed in it, but sent out together with it when God pleaseth. It is Gods ordinance, and under the blessing of an institution.