[2.] That this testimony is given to the world by Christ and his apostles, as the messengers of God.
(1.) For Christ's testimony ; I will not speak of that now ; he was the chief revealed by these mysteries, Amen, the faithful witness, Rev. iii. 14. And John iii. 33, ' He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.'
(2.) The testimony of the apostles falleth under our cognizance. These were chiefly intrusted by Christ to reveal these things to the world, and had this office put upon them to be chosen witnesses of the death and resurrection of Christ : Acts i. 8, ' Ye shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem and Judea, and the uttermost parts of the earth ; ' Acts ii. 32, ' This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we are witnesses ;' Acts x. 39-41, ' And we are witnesses of all things he did,' &c. ; and other places. This witness is very valuable to produce a saving belief of
282 SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. [SeR. IX.
Christianity ; for they had the testimony of sense, and were certain of those things they reported : 2 Peter i. 16, 17, 'We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty,' <fcc. They were men of great holiness and integrity, free from all sus- picion of imposture and deceit : 1 Cor. xv. 15, ' Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified that he raised up Christ, whom he raised not up again, if the dead rise not' They that were acquainted with them could not so much as suppose that such persons would teach an untruth ; they were authorised by miracles : Heb. ii. 3, 4, ' How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him : God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost ? ' Now their testimony they gave by word and writing. (1.) By word, when they were alive, and went up and down preaching the gospel : Acts iv. 33, ' With great power gave the apostles witness to the resur- rection of Jesus Christ ; ' that is, doing things beyond the power and reach of nature. (2.) By writing, 1 John i. 12. Christ prayeth for all that shall believe through their word, John xvii. 20, meaning all believers in all ages. Use 1. Information.
1. Of the nature of faith. It is the believing of a testimony. We cannot properly be said to believe a thing but by report and testimony. I may know a thing by sense and reason, but I cannot properly be said to believe it, but as I hear it affirmed, and as it is brought to me by some witness. We see those things which we perceive by the eye or sense of seeing ; we know those things which we receive by a sure demonstration ; but we believe those things which are brought to us by credible testimony. For instance, if any ask you, Do you believe the sun shineth at noon-day ?' you will answer, I do not believe it, but see it. If any one ask 3 ou, Do you believe that twice two make four, or twice three make six ? you will say, I do not believe it, but know it ; for certain reason teacheth me that each whole consists of two halves or moieties. But if he ask you, Do you certainly believe the sun is bigger than the earth ? then you will answer, I do believe it, be- cause you have good authority and testimony for it. Your eyes do not discover it, for then you would see it ; neither doth any man, who is no scholar, know any certain demonstration of it ; but philosophers and astronomers, who are competent judges in the case, do with one consent affirm it. [See Sermon on Acts v. 32.]
2. The ground of faith. It is Christ's and his apostles' testimony, or their word ; and though we hear them not in person speaking to us, yet the evangelical doctrine which they delivered should find belief and entertainment with us. We have their word in writing, delivered down to us by a succession of believers unto this very day. Christianity hath held up its head against all encounters of time ; the persecutions of adverse powers have not suppressed, nor the disputes of enemies silenced the profession of it. This testimony of Christ and his apostles hath been transmitted to us, partly by faithful men employed in the ministry of the gospel : 2 Tim. ii. 2, ' The things thou hast heard of
VER. 10.] SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. 283
me, commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.' Partly by the ordinances of the church : Mat. xxviii. 19, 20, ' Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you ; ' 1 Cor. xi. 26, ' As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.' Partly by the profession of christians, Isa. xliii. 10 ; ye are witnesses, trustees. Partly by the sufferings of many : Eev. xii. 21, ' They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.' Partly by family instruction : Exod. x. 2, ' That thou mayest tell it in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought,' &c. ; Exod. xii. 26, 27, ' It shall come to pass when your children shall say unto you, What mean you by this service ? that ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover/ &c. These being credible means, give us as good grounds of faith, as if we lived in the apostles' time ; and we may expect God's blessing upon the means blessed by the Holy Ghost heretofore.