382 A SERMON ON JOHN III, 33.
John V. 39, ' Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal hfe, and they are they which testify of me.' The whole scope of the Old Testament is to bear witness of Jesus Christ, of his person, natures, offices, his birth, life, death, suffering's, and the glory that should follow. A man may trace the story of Christ among the prophets, and show from point to point that he was the person sent from God to declare his will to the world. It was he who was owned by God by a voice from heaven at his baptism, Mat. iii. 17 ; at his transfiguration. Mat. xvii. 5 ; a little before his death : John xii. 28, ' Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again ;' and 2 Peter i. 16, ' For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory ; This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' It is his testimony wliom the Father has sealed, John vi. 27 ; to whom he hath given the Spirit without measure, John iii. 34 ; who wrought miracles in the sight of all the people, appealed to his works, and professed to stand to that judgment. His followers, who could not be deceived, nor certainly would not deceive, have assured us so. His disciples could not be deceived, for they did not learn these things from others, nor gather them up from their own reason, but were eye-witnesses and ear- witnesses. It is not a report of a report, that is uncertain ; neither did they hear and see them slightly or perfunctorily, but conversed with him from day to day ; had no sign of distraction and fantastic impressions. Neither are the things such as they could be deceived in them ; or, if that could be imagined, by whom should they be deceived ? Not by God, who cannot be deceived himself, for he knoweth all things ; nor will he deceive others, being so holy in himself, and so good and loving to mankind. Nor by angels, good or bad. Not by good angels, for how can they be good if they deceive ? Nor by evil angels, whose tyranny they set themselves to oppose, overthrowing their idols, temples, and altars, and seeking to draw men from their worship to the worship of the true God, who made heaven and earth, to true virtue, piety, charity, and holy and inoffensive living with men. Nor would they deceive. To what end should they do this ? Their religion forbiddeth them to lie for God, to do evil that good may come of it. What was it that they might have wealth, pleasure, or glory and honour, and the favour of men ? These things they renounced for the doctrine's sake which they preached, and did teach others to renounce, and did endure all manner of displeasure, torments, and death. They liad no reason to witness these things but for the profit of the world.
2. The testimony itself. It is such a testimony as man needeth, as hath a fair correspondence with other principles of reason, and such as hath a convincing evidence in itself.
[1.] It is such, a testimony as man needeth. There is a double necessity upon mankind to look out for such a religion or doctrine as may allay our fears and satisfy our desires. Till these things be done man is unsatisfied ; a religion doth not do the offices of a religion. As to God, the great business of a religion is to provide due honour for God ; as to man, due rest for his soul. This latter we have now
A SERMON ON JOHN III. 33. .^83
under consicleration chiefly: Jer. vi. 16, 'Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls ; ' and Mat. xi. 28, 29, ' Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest ; take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.' Now the soul is never at rest, nor sits easy within the bosoms of the con- sidering part of mankind, till there be provided a suitable happiness, and a sufficient means for the expiation of the guilt of sin. Happi- ness is our great desire, and sin is our great trouble. The great question of the fallen creature is, Micah vi. 7, ' What shall I give for the sin of my soul ?' They are haunted about the scruples of appeas- ing provoked justice. And then the other question and inquiry is, ' Who will show us any good ?' Ps. iv. 6. Where shall a man be happy, that he needeth not seek any further ? Now a testimony that shall answer these two grand scruples and controversies, which have much perplexed the mind of men, should be acceptable to us.
[2.] It hath a fair correspondency with principles of reason and truths evidenced by the light of nature, some of which respect our fears of punishment, some our desires of happiness, some both ; but I keep to these two,