2d That the effect of regeneration or conversion unto God is as- signed unto the preaching of the word, because of its efficacy there- unto in its own kind and way, as the outward means thereof, 1 Cor. iv. 15; James i. 18; 1 Pet. i. 23.
2. We may consider what is the nature and wherein the effi- cacy of this moral work doth consist. To which purpose we may observe, —
(1.) That in the use of this means for the conversion of men, there is, preparatory unto that wherein this moral persuasion doth con- sist, an instruction of the mind in the knowledge of the will of God and its duty towards him. The first regard unto men in the dispen- sation of the word imto them is their darkness and ignorance, whereby they are alienated from the life of God. This, therefore, is the first end of divine revelation, — namely, to make known the counsel and will of God unto us: see Matt. iv. 15, 16; Luke iv. 18, 19; Acts xxvi. 16-18, XX. 20, 21, 26, 27. By the preaching of the law and the gospel, men are instructed in the whole counsel of God and what he requires of them ; and in their apprehension hereof doth the illu- mination of their minds consist, whereof we must treat distinctly after- ward. Without a supposition of this illumination there is no use of
301 THE NATURE, CAUSES, AND IiIEANS [EOOK III.
the persuasive power of the word ; for it consists in affecting the mind with its concernment in the things tliat it knows, or wherein it is instructed. Wherefore we suppose in this case that a man is taught by the word both the necessity of regeneration, and what is required of himself thereunto.
(2.) On this supposition, that a man is instructed in the knowledge of the will of God, as revealed in the law and the gospel, there is accompanying the word of God, in the dispensation of it, a poiverful jiersiiasive efficacy unto a compliance with it and observance of it. For instance, suppose a man to be convinced by the word of God of the nature of sin; of his own sinful condition, of his danger from tlience with respect unto the sin of nature, on which account he is a child of wrath ; and of his actual sin, which farther renders him ob- noxious unto the curse of the law and the indignation of God; of his duty hereon to turn unto God, and the way whereby he may so do, — there are in the precepts, exhortations, expostulations, promises, and threatenings of the word, especially as dispensed in the ministry of the church, powerful motives to affect, and arguments to prevail with, the mind and will of such a man to endeavour his own regene- ration or conversion unto God, rational and cogent above all that can be objected unto the contrary. On some it is acknowledged that these things have no effect; they are not moved by them, they care not for them, they do despise them, and live and die in rebellion against the light of them, " having their eyes blinded by the god of this world." But this is no argument that they are not powerful in themselves, although, indeed, it is that they are not so towards us of themselves, but only as the Holy Spirit is pleased to act them to- wards us. But in these motives, reasons, and arguments, whereby men are, in and from the word and the ministry of it, urged and pressed unto conversion to God, doth this moral persuasion whereof we speak consist. And the efficacy of it unto the end proposed ariseth from the things ensuing, which are all resolved into God himself: —
[] .] From an evidence of the truth of the things from whence these motives and arguments were taken. The foundation of all the effi- cacy of the dispensation of the gospel lies in an evidence that the things proposed in it are not " cunningly-devised fables," 2 Pet. i. 16. Where this is not admitted, where it is not firmly assented unto, there can be no persuasive efficacy in it; but where there is, namely, a prevalent persuasion of the truth of the things proposed, there the mind is under a disposition unto the things whereunto it is persuaded. And hereon the whole efficacy of the word in and upon the souls of men is resolved into the truth and veracity of God ; for the things contained in the Scripture are not proposed unto us merely as true, but as divine truths, as immediate revelations from God, which re-
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quire not only a rational but a sacred religious respect unto them. They are things that the " mouth of the Lord hath spoken."
[2.] There is a proposal unto the wills and affections of men in the things so assented unto, on the one hand as good, amiable, and excellent, wherein the chiefest good, happiness, and utmost end of our natures are comprised, to be pursued and attained ; and on the other of things evil and terrible, the utmost evil that our nature is obnoxious unto, to be avoided : for this is urged on them, that to comply with the will of God in the proposals of the gospel, to con- form thereunto, to do what he requires, to turn from sin unto him, is good unto men, best for them, — assuredly attended with present satisfaction and future glory. And therein is also proposed the most noble object for our affections, even God himself, as a friend, as re- conciled unto us in Christ ; and that in a way suited unto his holi- ness, righteousness, wisdom, and goodness, which we have nothing to oppose unto nor to lay in the balance against. The way, also, of the reconciliation of sinners unto God by Jesus Christ is set out as that which hath such an impress of divine wisdom and goodness upon it, as that it can be refused by none but out of a direct enmity against God himself Unto the enforcing of these things on the minds of men, the Scripture abounds with reasons, motives, and arguments; the rendering whereof effectual is the principal end of the ministry. On the other hand, it is declared and evidenced that sin is the great debasement of our natures, — the ruin of our souls, the only evil in the world, in its guilt and punishment ; and that a continuance in a state of it, with a rejection of the invitation of the gospel unto conversion to God, is a thing foolish, unworthy of a rational creature, and that which will be everlastingly pernicious. Whereas, therefore, in the judgment of every rational creature, spiritual things are to be pre- ferred before natural, eternal things before temporal, and these things are thus disposed of in infinite goodness, love, and wisdom, they must needs be apt to affect the wills and take the affections of men. And herein the efficacy of the word on the minds and con- sciences of men is resolved into the authority of God. These pre- cepts, these promises, these threatenings are his, who hath right to give them and power to execute them. And with his authority, his glorious greatness and his infinite power come under consideration; so also doth his goodness and love in an especial manner, with many other things, even all the known properties of his holy nature ; — all which concur in giving weight, power, and efficacy unto these mo- tives and arguments.