(1.) That there are a God of infinite power, and wisdom, and good- ness, who made all things, and so men, and should be served by them.
(2.) That all have extremely faulted in this subjection which is due to the creator of the world. Experience manifesteth this.
(3.) That having faulted in this subjection, they are liable to God's punishment: Kom. iii. 19, 'AH the world are become guilty before God ;' v7r6SiKo<; tm Qeu>.
(4.) That there are no hopes of being freed from this punishment, unless the holy and just God receive some satisfaction. Now the mystery of redemption by Christ doth fairly accord with these prin- ciples, and is built upon them. The heathens invented several ways of expiation to bring God and man together, and to reconcile justice and mercy, but none so considerable as this ransom found out by God.
And then, for desires of happiness, the principles of reason are thes» —
(1.) That reasonable creatures have immortal souls, and die not as the beasts die.
(2.) That true happiness is not to be found in such things wherein men ordinarily seek it, as riches, honours, and pleasures.
(3.) That since vice and virtue receive not suitable rewards here, therefore there must be some reward and punishment after this life.
(4.) That Christ's testimony showeth us the right way of obtain- ing the one and eschewing the other, for he hath brought the true life and immortality to light, 2 Tim. i. 10.
[3.] That this testimony hath a convincing evidence in itself : 2 Cor. iv. 2-4 ' By the manifestation of the truth, commending our- selves to every man's conscience in the sight of God : but if our
384 A SERMON ON JOHN III. 33.
gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this workl hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of Grod, should shine unto them.' If men's minds were not blinded with delusions, and their hearts biassed with carnal affections, they could never reject it. It is true, the way of salvation by the death of Christ and his resurrection from the dead are not known but by illumination from the Spirit or supernatural revelation ; yet they are not contrary to such truths as are naturally known concerning the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, and are evidenced to us by their harmony and agreement with other truths revealed both in nature and scripture, and in the doctrine of Christ concerning them. There is a singular power to terrify and humble the mind of man, and then to give it true peace and comfort, such as cannot be found elsewhere ; and to draw them to a genuine holiness, derived from the highest fountain and principle, the Spirit of Christ ; the highest rule, the will and command of God ; and the highest end, which is the pleasing, glorify- ing, and enjoying of God.
Thirdly, The use of it as a testimony.
1. To bless God that he hath stated a rule of commerce between us and him. If Jesus Christ had not come out from the bosom of God, we had been left at great uncertainties ; but now God hath told us his mind, what we must do, and what we may expect in the testi- mony which Christ hath brought from heaven. The way of blessing and enjoying God is not left to our uncertain guesses, but made known in an authentic way by Christ.
2. To show us with what sureness we may build upon the hopes of the gospel ; it is God's testimony. The apostle saith, ' If we receive the witness of men, the testimony of God is greater,' 1 John v. 9. It is but reason that we should allow God that value and esteem that we give to the testimony of men who are fallible and deceitful. Among men, in the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth is established, Deut. xix. 5. Now, we have witness upon witness con- cerning the gospel. There are three that bear witness in heaven, and there are three that bear witness on earth : 1 John v. 7, 8, ' There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost ; ' the Father by voice and oracle ; the Son by voice to 'Saul, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' in words so convincingly that he knew it was God ; the Holy Ghost descending on Christ in the form of a dove, and on the apostles in cloven tongues of fire. There are three also that bear witness on earth, ' the Spirit, the water, and the blood,' in the lieart of a believer, a bosom, near testimony, illuminating and enabling a man to discern the doctrine to be of God ; leaving constant and sensible effects, pacifying and quieting the conscience, and sanctifying the heart by this doctrine, the blood of Christ cleansing and purifying us as by clean water. God's testimony is the ultimate resolution of faith. Now if after all this we should not believe the testimony of God concerning his Son and his message delivered to us, how great will our condemna- tion be 1