VeR. 17.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 437
Use 2, Here is advice to the people of God.
1. Prize this way of dispensation ; bless God that the rule of faith is put into a settled course, the greatest gift, next the Lord Jesus Christ, that the world ever had. The scriptures are God's charter given to man, the evidence of his happiness, by which he holds heaven and grace, and all his privileges in Christ. Though the bible alone were extant in the world, here were sufficient direction, a doctrine full enough to guide us to happiness ; and though all the world were full of books, if the bible only were wanting, you would have no sure doctrine. Some books are of Satan's inditing, they that are full of filthiness and folly ; other books smell of men ; there is not another book in the world but hath something of man in it, and a human spirit. But this is all of God, this is the truth, the touchstone of words and deeds. Other writings speak man's heart, but this speaks to man's heart with a divine power ; this is the book that is the best discovery of God's heart to us, and our own to ourselves ; it is the touchstone, not only to try doctrines, but to try all men's dispositions, how we stand affected to him.
2. Kest in the certainty of this doctrine. We are foolish creatures, and would give laws to heaven, and indent with God to believe upon our own terms. Look, as the devil would indent with Christ : Mat. iv. 3, ' If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread ; ' so we indent with God : If it be his word, let God testify it by some oracle, or some visible dispensation. We think it were better, and that the world had more assurance, when God spake ' in divers manners,' than when the canon and rule of faith is closed up, and he speaks by writing only, and not by voice. No ; God's terms are surer than if a man should come from hell and speak to them. We are apt to think, if a messenger should come up in garments of flaming fire, and preach the horrors of the world to come, then there would be no atheists ; but there is a far greater certainty in such a dispensation as we are now under : Luke xvi, 30, 31, ' If one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one arose from the dead.' Satan still appears to the blind world in horrible shapes to terrify them ; so would we look upon this as a horrible shape, as the malice and cunning of the devil. Nay, it is surer than if an angel should come from heaven to preach the gospel to us, for that would not be such an absolute assurance : Gal. i. 8, ' For though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.' Nay, it is more sure than an oracle from God ; though that is as sure in itself, because it is from the true God, yet it is not so sure to us : 2 Peter i. 19, ' We have a more sure word of prophecy.' More sure than what ? Than visions and the voice from the excellent glory. He alludes to that voice which came from heaven : Mat. iii. 17, ' This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' Ay ! but, saith he, ' We have a more sure word of prophecy.' Therefore rest in this way of dispensation ; do not blame God, as if he had ill provided for the comfort and safety of the church.
3. Improve it to a solid hope and comfort ; it is the word of God, and venture upon it. If you be deceived, God hath deceived you, as
438 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [Ser. XXVII,
the prophet saith, Jcr. iv. 10. Venture upon the promises of God ; entertain the precepts of it, as if God himself had spoken them : 1 Thes. ii. 13, ' For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.' When you hear any particular thing pressed out of the word, entertain it as if God spake from heaven. What will you venture upon God'fi word in a way of suffering ? and what lust will you thwart and crucify, that God by his word commands ?
SERMON XXVIII.
Sanctifij them through thy tndh : thy word is truth. — John XVII. 17.
Now I proceed to the arguments that prove the scriptures to be the word of God.
1. Some are extrinsical, and do lie without the scriptures.
2. Some are intrinsical, and lie within the scriptures themselves, as being taken from the matter and form of them.
For the first, extrinsical arguments ; there I shall show you —