(6.) Then consider the many sensible effects of the word, as the accomplishment of prophecies, promises, threatenings, and answer of prayers. God's providence is a comment upon scripture. It is an authentic register, and infallible prognostication and calendar. We need not have one come from the dead to tell the truth of it ; it is fulfilled before our eyes every day.
4. Or else they can convey a power, or expect that God will co-oper- ate more with their report than with the holy scriptures. Surely they are finite creatures though passed out of this life. Nothing can convert and turn the heart of man but the infinite power of God ; all the angels in heaven cannot pluck one sinner out of the state of nature. We read one angel could destroy one hundred and eighty-five thousand in Sennacherib's host, 1 Kings xix. 35 ; but all the angels cannot convert one soul.
But will God co-operate ? Alas ! when all prejudices are removed, men are nothing the better till the Lord puts in his grace. The Jews suppose Moses and the prophets to be of God ; they were confirmed by notable miracles, the fame of which continue among them. But the matter is about God's efficacy. But now God concurreth with his instituted course ; common means of God's appointing have a singu- lar efficacy annexed ; as reading. Acts viii. 32, hearing, Mark iv. 24, meditation, Acts xvii. 11. Christ died to sanctify ordinances, Eph. V. 26 ; and there if ever shall we meet with the power and grace of God.
Secondly, Against it. There are more rational prejudices that lie against any other way than this way that God hath taken. As to instance in the matter in hand.
SERMONS UPON LUKE XVI. 30, 31, 359
1. It is no mean scruple about the lawfulness of hearkening to one that should come from the dead, since they are out of the sphere of our commerce, and it is a disparagement to the great doctor of the church. Against consulting with the dead, see Deut. xviii. 10-12, with 14, 15, ' There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a channer, or a con- suiter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer ; for all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. For these nations which thou shalt possess hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners ; but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not sufi'ered thee so to do. The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me ; unto him ye shall hearken.' It would make religion ridiculous, like a story of hobgoblins and bugbears, wherewith we fright children, or like the fond superstitions of the heathens, that held the world under the servility and bondage of scrupulous fears
2. It is not so sure a way. How could we trust or believe any one that should bring a message from the dead, since impostors are so rife ? Satan can turn himself into an angel of light. What security can we have against delusions ? how miserably we may be deceived by stories from the dead is to be seen in popery. Therefore it is a favour that we have such a sure rule ! Gal. i. 8, ' But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that we have preached unto yoU; let him be accursed.' We shall never be free from evil designs.
3. It is not so effectual a course as some think. The great doctor of the church arose from the dead, which was confirmed by five hun- dred witnesses ; nothing so credible, and yet they would not believe and repent for all that.. The Jews would not believe LazaruS; when, after he had been four days dead, he was raised up again.
4. It is not so familiar a way, and therefore not so fit to instil faith, and reduce men to God's purpose by degrees, as the written word, to which we may have recourse without afifrightment, and that at all times. This spirit must be supposed to appear but rarely ; for if it were fre- quent, and settled into a constant converse, the way would be contemned. But here we may view and review the counsel of God in our most deliberate and serious thoughts, and by searching come to know the mind of God. Faith groweth in a rational way : Acts xvii. 11, ' These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the •word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.'
Use 1. Information.
1. That man is apt to indent with God about believing and repent- ing upon terms of his own making : Mat, xxvii. 42, ' If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him;^ Ps. Ixxviii. 19, ' Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? ' Mat. iv, 3, ' If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.' Many require miracles or new apostles, that maketh them turn seekers ; or a testimony from the dead, a spirit or a vision,