For the proof, then, of the divine authority of the Scriptures unto him or them who, as yet, on no account whatever do acknowledge
SCRIPTURE THE POWER OF GOD. 323
it — I shall only suijpose that, by the providence of God, the book itself be so brought unto him or them, as that he or they he engaged to the consideration of it, or do attend to the reading of it. This is the work of God's providence in the government of the world. Upon a supposal hereof I leave the Word with them, and if it evidence not itself xmto their consciences, it is because they are blinded by the god of this world, which will be no plea for the refusal of it at the last day; and they who receive it not on this ground, will never receive it on any, as they ought.
2. The second sort of things that evidence themselves, are things of an e&eciual powerful operation in any kind. So doth fire by heat, the wind by its noise and force, salt by its taste and savour, the sun by its light and heat; so do also moral principles that are effectually operative. (Rom. iL 14, 15.) Men in whom they are, svBiixvvvTcci rh spyov, " do manifest the work " of them, or manifest them by their work and efficacy. Whatever it be that hath an innate power in itself, that will effectually operate on a fit and pro- per subject — it is able to evidence itself, and its own nature and con- dition.
To manifest the interest of the Scripture to be enrolled among things of this nature — yea, (under God himself, who is known by his great power, and the effects of it,) to have the pre-eminence — I shall observe only one or two things concerning it, the various improve- ment whereof would take up more time and greater space than I have allotted to this discourse.
It is absolutely called the " power of God," and that unto its proper end ; which way lies the tendency of its efficacy in operation. (Rom. i. 16.) It is duva/xig &10V, "vis, virtus Dei" — the "power of God." 'O Xoyog 6 rou eraupoij, the "word concerning the cross" — that is, the gospel — is dvva/xig Qsou, (1 Cor. i. 18,) the " power of God." And faith, which is built on that Word, without other helps or advantages, is said to stand in the " power of God;" (1 Cor. ii. 5;) that is, effec- tually working in and by the Word, it worketh h dvodil^si Uvsu/zarog xai dvvd/Motg, " in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power;" h did dvoTv — its spiritual power gives a demonstration of it. Thus it conies not as a naked word, (1 Thess. i. 5,) but in " power, and in the Holy Ghost;" and h -rXTj^of o/j/a ToXXfi' giving all manner of assur- ance and full persuasion of itself, even by its power and efficacy. Hence it is termed ty ntsp, " the rod of power " or strength, (Ps. ex. 2,) denoting both authority and efficacy. Surely that which is thus the power and authority of God, is able to make itself known so to be.
It is not only said to be dvm/Mig, " power," the power of God in itself, but also dvvd//,n/og, " able and powerful " in respect of us. " Thou
324 THE DIVINE ORIGINAL OF SCRIPTURE.
hast learned," saith Paul to Timothy, ra 'npa ypd/xf/.ara, " the sacred letters," (the written Word,) ra dvi/afisvd a aofiGai sJg guryjpiav, " which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." They are powerful and effectual to that purpose. It is Xoyog dvvdfj,svog eZsat rdg -^vy^dg, (James i. 21,) " The word that hath power in it to save souls." So Acts XX. 32 : "I commend you " Xoyw rOj duva/j.svw, " to the able, power- ful word." And that we may know what kind of power it hath, the apostle tells us that it is ^uv xa/ evspyii — it is " living and effectual," (Heb. iv. 1 2,) and " sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and mar- row, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." It is designed of God to declare r^v hspynav r^g duvd/^ioig, " the effec- tual Avorking of his j)ower." (See John vi. {58, 69; 1 Cor. vi. 14, XV. 57; Gal. ii. 8.) By virtue of this power, it brought forth fruit in all the world. (Col. i. 6.) Without sword, without (for the most part) miracles, Avithout human wisdom or oratory, without any in- ducements or motives but Avhat were merely and solely taken from itself, consisting in thhigs that " eye had not seen, nor ear heai'd, nor could enter into the heart of man to conceive," hath it exerted this its power and efficacy to the conquest of the world — causing men of all sorts, in all times and places, so to fall down before its divine authority, as immediately to renounce all that was dear to them in the world, and to undergo whatever was dreadful, tenible, and destructive to nature in all its dearest concernments.
It hath been the work of many to insist on the particulars wherein this power exerts itself; so that I shall not enlarge upon them. In general, they have this advantage, that as they are all spiritual, so they are such -as have their seat, dwelling, and abode, in the hearts and consciences of men, whereby they are not liable to any exception, as though they were pretended. Men cannot harden themselves in the rejection of the testimony they give, by sending for magicians to do the like ; or by any pretence that it is a common thing that is befallen them on whom the Word puts forth its power. The seat or residence of these effects is safe-guarded against all power and authority but that of God. Its diving into the hearts, consciences, and secret recesses of the minds of men ; its judging and sentencing of them in themselves ; its convictions, terrors, conquests, and killing of men ; its converting, building up, making wise, holy, obedient ; its administering consolations in every condition, and the hke effects of its power, are usually spoken unto.