Nor doth it in the least impair this self-evidencing efficacy of the Scripture, that it is a moral and spiritual, not a natural light. The proposition is universal to all kinds of light ; yea, more fully appli- cable to the former than the latter. Light, I confess, of itself, will not renaove the defect of the visive faculty. It is not given for that end. Light is not eyes. It suffices that there is nothing wanting on its own part for its discovery and revelation. To argue that the sun cannot be known to be the sun, or the great means of communicating external light unto the world, because blind men cannot see it, nor do know any more of it than they are told, will scarce be admitted ; nor doth it in the least impeach the efficacy of the light jaleaded for, that men stupidly blind cannot comprehend it. (John i. 5.)
I do not assert from hence, that wherever the Scripture is brought, by what means soever, (which, indegd, is all one,) all that read it, or to whom it is read, must instantly of necessity assent unto its divine original. Many men who are not stark blind may have 3^et so abused their eyes, that when a light is brought into a dark place they may not be able to discern it. Men may be so prepossessed with innumerable prejudices — principles received by strong traditions — coiTupt affections making them hate the light — that they may not behold the glory of the Word when it is brought to them. But it is nothiag to our present discourse, whether any man living be able by and of himself to discern this light, whilst the defect may be justly cast on his own blindness. 2 Cor. iv. 2-4 : " By manifestation of the tnith, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost : in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them Avhich believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, shovild shine unto them." There is, in the dis- pensation of the Word, an evidence of truth commending itself to the consciences of men. Some receive not this evidence. Is it for want of light in the truth itself? No ; that is a glorious light that shines
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S22 THE DIVINE ORIGINAL OF SCRIPTURE.
into the hearts of men. Is it for want of testimony to assert this light ? No ; but merely because the god of this world hath bhnded the eyes of men, that they should not behold it.
From what, then, hath been laid down, these two things may be inferred : — That as the authority of God — the first and only absolute truth in the Scripture — is that alone which divine faith rests upon, and is the formal object of it — so wherever the Word comes, by what means soever, it hath in itself a sufficiency of light to evidence to all (and will do it eventually to all that are not blinded by the god of this world) that authoiity of God its author ; and the only reason why it is not received, by many in the world to whom it is come, is the advantage that Satan hath to keep them in ignorance and blindness, by the lusts, corruptions, prejudices, and hardness of their own hearts.
The Word, then, makes a sufficient proposition of itself, wherever it is ; and he to whom it shall come, who refuses it because it comes not so or so testified, will give an account of his atheism and infi- delity. He that hath the witness of God need not stay for the wit- ness of men, for the witness of God is greater.
Wherever the Word is received indeed, as it requrreth itself to be received, and is really assented unto as the Word of God, it is so received upon the evidence of that light which it hath in itself, manifestly declaring itself so to be. It is all one by what means, by what hand — ^whether of a child or a church, by accident or tradi- tion, by common consent of men or peculiar providence — the Scrip- ture comes unto us: come how it wiU, it hath its authority in itself and towards us by being the word of God — and hath its power of manifesting itself so to be from its own innate light.
Now, this light in the Scripture, for which we contend, is nothing but the beaming of the majesty, truth, holiness, and authority of God, given unto it and left upon it by its author, the Holy Ghost — an impress it hath of God's excellency upon it, distinguishing it by infallible nxfj^^pia from the product of any creature. By this it dives into the con- sciences of men, into all the secret recesses of their hearts; guides, teaches, directs, determines, and judges in them, upon them, in the name, majesty, and authority of God. If men who are blinded by the god of this world, will yet deny this Hght because they perceive it not, it shall not prejudice them who do. By this self-evidencing light, I say, doth the Scripture make such a proposition of itself as the word of God, that whoever rejects it, doth it at the peril of his eternal min; and thereby a bottom or foundation is tendered for that faith which it requireth to repose itself upon.