4. They that are above scriptures have no true holiness. God sanc- tifieth by the truth. It is strange how charity overreacheth to saint antiscripturists and men above ordinances ; whereas it is the true ground and reason of sanctification. As Bernard saith of some, that whilst they plead for the salvation of heathens, scarce show them- selves christians ; so I am afraid our excessive charity to men argueth little affection to God. God accepteth no holiness but word-holiness, and worketh holiness no other way. I doubt they that despise pro- phesying quench the Spirit. When men neglect and contemn the word of God, they dam up the fountain of holiness.
5. What is the true witness of the scripture's certainty ? Not the testimony of the church, but feeling the sanctifying virtue of it. It is good to take the testimony of the church at first, as we take a medi- cine from others upon their experience ; but we must not rest in it : 1 Thes. i. 5, ' For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance ; ' this giveth certainty. At first we believe upon the church's saying, as the woman commended Christ to her citizens : John iv. 42, ' Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.' There is a pre- parative human faith ; as in taking pills, we do not chew them, but swallow them. It is not good to be disputing away our hopes. But we should not rest in this, but labour to get an experience of the power of the truth upon our hearts.
6. The difference between civility and sanctification. Civility is wrought by mere moral education, according to natural principles, without any knowledge, or so much as a desire to be acquainted with the word of God. Thus many are careful of common honesty in mat- ters of traffic and commerce, obedience to civil laws, being restrained from gross enormities, but have no true grace ; but in true holiness we are inclined by the word : 1 Peter ii. 2, ' As new-born babes desire the
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sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.' This is true holiness, when we conform and subject ourselves in heart and practice to the will of God, revealed in the word. The word of God must be reason and rule. Eeason : 1 Thes. v. 18, ' This is the will of God con- cerning you ;' and rule: Gal. vi. 16, * As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them.' Why do you do this? as the children must ask their parents, ' Why do ye keep the passover ? ' Still all must be examined by the word : John iii. 21, ' He that doth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought of God ;' he trieth every action by it. Only the word is our rule in all our actions ; we seek to it as our guide, obey it for truth's sake. Use 2. Exhortation.
1. Beware of error. It is a defiling thing ; the more mixture of falsehood, the less awe of God upon the soul, and the more carnal affections are gratified. A constant use of the word discovers sin.
2. To press you to wait upon God for the purifying of your hearts through the word, in the use of the word, through the Spirit, to look for the purification and sanctification of your souls. Here I should press you to take heed that you hear, lioio you hear, and ivhat you hear.
[1.] That you hear. You need wait upon God, and hearken dili- gently. The apostle infers it : James i. 18, ' Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth.' What then ? * Therefore be swift to hear.' Continually you will find some new enforcement or new consideration to promote your holiness and sanctification.
[2.] Take heed what ye hear, Mark iv. 24. You must get the dis- tinguishing ear ; that as the mouth tasteth meats, so the ear may taste doctrines, and you may judge of things that differ.
[3.] Take heed how you hear, Luke viii. 18 ; that is, wait for the operations of the Spirit, do not hear carelessly, negligently. It is said, Acts X, 44, ' While Peter was speaking those things, the Holy Ghost fell upon them.' While we are speaking to you there are many good motions stirred up in your hearts. Take heed how you hear, that the blessing may not escape from you.
' Thy word is truth.' — The point which I am now to discuss is, the truth of the word. In managing this discourse I shall show —
1. What necessity there is that God should give us his word, or a declaration of his will.
2. Where we shall infallibly find this word or declaration of his will.
3. Of what concernment it is to be established in the truth of this word.
4. Whether it be possible that carnal men, remaining so, can have any assurance of this truth ; or whether it be only left to be cleared up infallibly to the soul, by the light and working of the Spirit.