This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this text, in whole or in part. Please contact project staff at eebotcp-info@umich.edu for further information or permissions.
Gods word hath vertue in it to make a man blessed.
[Cap. 5] OUr Lord in his correcti∣on of the womans speech, saith of the true bles∣sednesse, that it is to be had by hearing and doing of Gods word: and thence it followeth, that Gods word hath vertue in it to make a man blessed. This is further proved to be so;
1. By Testimonies of Scriptures; such as these are. S. Iohn saith of his Gospell; These things are written, that ye might beleeve, that Iesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that beleeving, ye might have life through his name. Ioh. 20.31. In these words S. Iohn telleth us, that he wrote his Gospell for this end, that men by it might be brought to beleeve in Christ, and to be saved. And from hence it followeth, that either the holy Ghost propounded to himselfe a wrong end in de∣livering this Gospell (which no Christian dareth imagin;) or else that this Gospell hath vertue in it to bring men to salvation. Again, S. Paul saith of the Gospel of Christ,
that it is the power of God to salvation, to every one that be∣leeveth. Rom. 1.16. And S. Iames exhorteth, Receive with meeknesse the ingraffed word which is able to save your soules. Iames 1.21. And our Saviour to the like purpose, Search the Scriptures, (saith hee) for in them yee think ye have eternall life: and they are they, that testifie of me. In all which sayings there is a sa∣ving vertue ascribed unto the Scriptures: and in this last, is intimated unto us, that it was the known opi∣nion of Gods people in those dayes. Yee think, in them ye have eternall life, saith Christ. It is as if he had said, not I onely, but your selves also do agree, that eternall
life is to bee found in the Scriptures: and therefore there is reason yee should search them.
2. The same truth may be gathered from the Titles, which are given to Gods word. It is called the Gos∣pell of the Grace of God. Acts 20.24. and the Gos∣pell of the Kingdome. Mat. 4.23. and the Gospell of salvation. Ephes. 1.13. Im∣plying that the grace of God, and the Kingdome of heaven, and salvation is there to be found, and from thence to be derived. Again, it is called the word of Gods grace. Acts 14.3. and, the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5.19. and the word of sal∣vation. Acts 13.26. and
1 Pet. 1.23. the immortall seede, by which we are new born. All which names and titles given to the word, what doe they else import, but that therein there is meanes contained to work grace and reconciliation and eternall life?
This is proofe enough for the point: yet it will bee worth the labour to consider how Gods word may bee said to contain this vertue, and wherein it sheweth it selfe. And thereto the an¦swer is, that this vertue of Gods word sheweth it selfe by three things: 1. By tea∣ching the ready way to bles∣sednesse. 2. By perswading men to walk in that way. And 3. by enabling them
with grace both to beleeve what it teacheth, and to do what it perswadeth.
I. It teacheth the right way; or, it teacheth what to beleeve, how to live, and by what meanes we may be sa∣ved. So S. Paul saith of this word, that it is able to make one wise to salvation through faith in Christ Iesus: and that it is profitable for doctrin, for reproofe, for correction, and for instruction in righteous∣nesse; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to all good works. 2 Tim. 3.15, 16, 17. In these words we have three things to be no∣ted for this purpose. First, there is the main scope and end, for which the Scripture serveth: namely, to make
one wise to salvation. Se∣condly, there are the parti∣cular uses of this word, by which it maketh men wise to salvation: and they bee these; first it is profitable for doctrine, to teach what∣soever we neede to beleeve. Secondly, for reproofe; or, to confute and detect all con∣trary errors, that gainsay the doctrine of truth. Thirdly, for correction, or to reprove all sins that are against Gods will, manifested in his word. Fourthly, for instruction in righteousnesse, or to inform us in every duty belonging to our callings. In summe, it teacheth the truth, which we ought to beleeve, and the duties that we must per∣form, with conviction and
confutation of whatsoever is contrary to either of these two: so that wee may nei¦ther be misled with any er∣ror against the faith, nor misperswaded to any sin a∣gainst Gods Law. These be uses for which the Scripture is profitable. Thirdly, there is the sufficiency or ability which men gain by these uses; and that is, that the Man of God, even he that is bound to know, and doe most, may want no directi∣on, that may serve either for instructing of his faith, or ordering of his life. Now by all this we have a punctu∣all and plentifull description of the doctrinall vertue con∣tained in Gods word. If any desire further consent of o∣ther
Scriptures, he may take that of David, Thy word is a lanterne to my feete, and a light unto my pathes. Psal. 119 105. and that of Solomon, All the words of my mouth are in righteousnesse: there is no∣thing froward or perverse in them: and that of Isay, To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isay 8.20. and that of our Saviour, Do not ye erre, because ye know not the Scriptures? Mar. 12.24. By all which, as by other like places of Scripture, it is cleare, that the Scriptures shew the right way, and the ignorance of Scriptures is the cause that men erre and goe astray out of the way.
II. Secondly, the word of God containeth blessed∣nesse in it, because it afford∣eth arguments of perswasion, and by them doth win our assent to walk in that way. And that it doth 3. wayes; 1. By loving invitations, such as these are; I beseech you by the mercifulnes of God, &c. Rom. 12.1. and God doth beseech you by us, and We pray you in Christs stead, Bee yee re∣conciled unto God. 2 Cor. 5.20. 2 It perswadeth by graci∣ous promises of much good to be obtained; such as these are; Keep sound wisdome and discretion. So shall they be life unto thy soule, and grace unto thy neck. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy
sleep shall be sweete. Bee not a∣fraid of sudden feare, neither of the desolation of the wicked when it commeth. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Prov. 3.21. &c. and such is that of Moses: Blessed shalt thou be in the City and in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, &c. Deut. 28.2. &c. and that of our Saviour; There is no man, that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake and the Gospels: but hee shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses and brethren, &c. and in the world to come eternall life. Mar. 10.29, 30. 3. It perswadeth by threat∣ning of plagues and punish∣ments
against all disobedi∣ence and sin, such as these are; If thou shalt corrupt thy selfe, and shalt do evill in the sight of the Lord thy God, &c. I call heaven and earth to wit∣nesse against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land, whereunto yee goe to possesse it. Deut. 4.26. and that of the Apostle, God will take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord Ie∣sus Christ: who shall be punish∣ed with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his pow∣er. 2 Thes. 1.8, 9. and that of our Saviour at the last judgement; Then shall he say to them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into ever∣lasting
fire, prepared for the de∣vill and his Angells. Mat. 25.41.
These and such like bee the arguments of perswasion which the Scriptures use to keep us in the way of righ∣teousnesse, and to bring us to eternall life. And he that hath the heart of a man in him, and is not moved with such reasons; hath in the shape of a man cast off all humanity and reason. If in∣treaties by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, move us not, wee are more un∣thankfull then many bruites be, which attend on their Masters, by whom they are fed. If promises of rewards and happinesse do not move us, we may be thought in∣sensible
sensible of our owne wel∣fare. And if punishments and plagues, especially the worme that dyeth not, and the fire that never is quenched, if these move us not, how far short doe wee come of the wisdome that is in the dogg and the horse, and the asse, all which are forced to obe∣dience by the rod, and the spurre and the whip, even when they are but threatned against them. And consequently, if these many forcible perswasions contai∣ned in Gods word, do not worke with us to the obedience of Gods will, the complaint will bee just against us, that was used against the Jews; What could have beene done more in my
vineyard, that I have not done it it? Wherefore, when I loo∣ked, that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wilde grapes? Is. 5.4.
III. Thirdly, there is a vertue of blessednesse in Gods word, because where it is preached, it bringeth with it that grace of God, which being entertained by us, doth enable us both to beleeve what it teacheth, and to performe what it per∣swadeth unto. The proofes of this point are gathered to my hands, by our learned Divines of great Britaine, who were a chiefe part of the Dort-Councell. And as they have set them downe, so I shall relate them from their pen.* 1.1 They having
said two things in their po∣sition, 1. that together with the preaching of the Gospell some measure of grace is offered. 2. that it is so much as may convince men of contempt or negligence, if they be not re∣formed by it; they add for proofe of the former, that it is plaine out of Scriptures: and from thence they al∣ledge, Isa. 59. ult. This is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit, that is upon thee, and my words that I have put in thy mouth, shall not de∣part out of thy mouth from henceforth and for evermore. Upon which words they comment to this purpose, Hinc patet, From hence it is plaine, that the Word and the Spirit, are* 1.2 inseparably, by
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
Gods promise, joyned together in the ministery of the word. And from hence, say they, the mi∣nisters of the new Testament, are called the ministers not of the letter, but of the spirit, not of the killing letter, but of the quickning spirit. 2 Cor. 3.6. And the ministery of the Gos∣pell is called the ministration of the spirit, v. 8. Hence also the Gospel is called Grace that brin∣geth salvation. Tit. 2.11. & the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5.19. And Luk. 10.9, 11. When Christ sent his seventie dis∣ciples to preach the Gospell, he commanded them to say to their hearers; The Kingdome of God is come nigh unto you; doubtlesse, because supernatural grace was administred to those men, to whom the Gospell was
preached. Againe, for proofe of the 2. point, that there is so much grace offered, as may convince them of con∣tempt, who doe not beleeve and obey; the same learned men alledge that of our Sa∣viour, Ioh. 15.22. If I had not come, and spoken unto them, they had not had sinne; but now they have no cloke for their sin. From this place it is plaine, say they, that Christ in propoun∣ding of the Gospell, did also ad∣minister that internall grace, which was thus far sufficient, that because they did not accept but reject the Gospel, they might be convinced of positive infide∣lity They add that also, Ioh. 3.19 This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world and men loved darknesse rather
then light. Men therefore are justly damned for rejecting the light of the Gospell. Heb. 2.3. How shall wee escape, if we ne∣glect so great salvation? for neglecting salvation offered in the Gospell, (as they com∣ment upon the words) wee become guilty of just punish∣ment. Therefore salvation is offered in the Gospell. These with some more, bee the proofes brought by these learned men. And they plainely prove, that God doth accompanie the prea∣ching of his word with the assistance and grace of his Spirit; that men, who heare the word, if themselves bee not in fault, do receive from God, both to beleeve and obey it.
Now lay these things to∣gether, first, that the word of God doth teach the right way to blessednes; then that it useth powerfull perswasi∣ons to incite us on in this way; and lastly, that it brin∣geth with it that grace of God which may carie us along to our journeys end: and then the conclusion will easily result from them, that therefore Gods word hath much vertue in it, and that which is sufficient to make us eternally happy.
Vse 1. This condemneth them of follie, who leave Gods word, and seeke other directions to eternall life. Such were the Jews of old, and such have beene some ignorant papists in our time.
What our vulgar papists are used to say for proofe of the true religion; they that have lived among them, do sufficiently know: and what the Jews said in former times, Ieremie hath told us at large, chap. 44. And whoso shall attentively consider his words will easily see, how like our papists are to those Jews. The words of the Prophet are, Then all the men, which knew that their wives had burnt incense unto other Gods, and all the women that stood by—answered Iere∣miah, saying; As for the word, which thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly doe whatsoe∣ever thing goeth forth out of
our own mouth, to burn incense to the Queene of heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, as we have done, we & our fathers, our Kings & our Princes, in the cities of Iudah and in the streets of Ierusalem: for then had we plentie of vic∣tualls and were well, and saw no evill. But since wee left off to burne incense to the Queene of heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, wee have wanted all things, & have beene, consumed by the sword and by the famine. Ier. 44.15. &c. In this passage of the Prophet there are 2. things set downe, the resolution of this people, and their reason for it. Their resolution was, that they would not hearken to the word which the Pro∣phet
had spoken in the name of the Lord: but they would doe what they did doe, that is, they would burne incense to the Queene of heaven, &c. And the like is the reso∣lution of some seely people. Say what you will, or what you can out of Scriptures, they care not for it: but they will doe, what they are woont to doe; that is, they will pray in a tongue, where∣of they understand never a word; they will worship Saints and Images, though they know not why; and they will rest their faith on the Popes dictats, though they can say nothing why he may not misleade them. But this they doe, and this they will do. This is their re∣solution.
Secondly, we may consider their reason, why they were so wilfull, and that is two-fold; 1. because they and their fathers had beene accustomed to doe so heretofore. As wee have done; wee and our fathers, &c. and so our poore ignorant people; This is the religion, where∣in I was borne and bred; and therein will I dye. Thus my father and grandfather beleeved before I was born; and I will folow them, who have gone before mee. The second reason, why they would continue in their re∣solution is, because when they lived in that faith, they had plentie of victuals and store of all things; but after they left their sacrificing to
Idols, they had scarsitie, and miserie and want. Then say they, we had plentie of victuals, &c. And so are our seelie ones wont to dispute. Oh, say they, when the old reli∣gion was on foote, then we had so many eggs for a peny, and so much provi∣sion at a small price, and poore men were able to live by their labours: but since Calvin and Luther began to reforme, we have scarsitie and dearth, and it is a hard world, to live in. Thus our people are wont to reason, for their old superstitions and errours: and they speak so right in the very phrase and words of the idolatrous Jews, that I might have thought they had borowed
their discourse out of Ieremy, but that I know it is not their custome to reade so much in the Bible: that they leave to these new men, ac∣counting it as the booke of Heretikes, and Novelists. A Ladies Psalter liketh them better for a prayer booke then Davids Psalmes, and a festivall or Legend they esteeme a better booke for instruction, then the wri∣tings of the Prophets and Apostles. But now, if Gods word do teach the right way to heaven; I pray you, in what way are they who leave Gods word to bee guided by such fansies and fables? Let Ieremie be the judge: Then Ieremie said to the men, and to the women—who
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
had given him this answere, The incense, which yee burnt in the cities of Iudah, and in the streets of Ierusalem, ye and your fathers—did not the Lord remember them, and came it not into his minde: so that the Lord could no longer beare, be∣cause of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominati∣ons, which ye have committed? Therefore is your land a desola∣tion and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day. Because ye have burnt incense, and because ye have sinned, &c. Therefore this evill is happened unto you. Ier. 44.20, &c. In which an∣swere we may consider, and it is worth the noting, that their burning of incense, to the Queene of heaven, and
their pouring out of drink-offerings unto her, which they thought was the true worship, and said it was the onely cause of their plentie of victuals and of all good things; was in very deede an abomination to God, which hee could no longer beare, and the true cause of the desolation & curse that was come upon them. And so, when our ignorant peo∣ple say, that the reformed religion is the cause of scar∣sity and want, & that while they worshipped their ima∣ges and Saints, there was plentie and store: wee may answere them according to the tenor of the Prophets words; Nay rather, your superstitions, in burning in∣cense
to the Queene of hea∣ven, as they did; and your wilfulnesse in refusing the truth, when it is brought unto you, as they also did; these and such like abomi∣nations are the cause, that ye, and we for your sakes, doe suffer at Gods hands; as they did in the case before us. But as for such as know and serve God better, and acknowledge Gods word to teach the right way: if any dorrell shall tell them of cheapnesse of vi∣ctualls, and example of fore∣fathers, and their owne idle customes, as rules to guide their faith by; let them an∣swer them in the wise mans words, Say not thou, what is the cause, that the former daies
were better then these? for thou doest not enquire wisely concerning this. Eccl. 7.10. Or else, let them return such men an answere out of the Prophet, To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speake not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isa. 8.20. And so I leave their errour; and come to say some thing of our owne failings.
Vse 2. Secondly then, if Gods word have such vertue in it, both to perswade and enable us to Gods service; we may hence take notice of our great negligence, who having had so long use of this word, have profited so little by it. For, if a childe have good and holesome
meate, & yet do not thrive, nor grow by it; ye will say, and ye have great cause to say, that he is out of temper, and somewhat is amisse with him. And if a sick man have good and soveraigne medi∣cines given him, and yet is not purged, nor eased by them; ye will say that either nature is much decayed in her strength, or much op∣pressed by bad humours. And so seeing Gods word hath in it such vertue towards godlinesse and a happy life; if we, after long use of it, are not bettered in our knowledge of God, and increased in our obedience to his Laws, and some way or other furthered toward heaven and happinesse, it is
an evident signe that grace is decayed in us, and sinne hath gotten the upper hand. And yet so it falleth out ma∣ny times among Christians. The Hebrews were dull of hearing, and when for the time they might have beene teachers, yet they had neede that one should teach them againe, which were the first principles of the oracles of God. Heb. 5.11, 12. And is it not so with a great many of us? Are there not men and wo∣men, who after many years teaching, have gained no great measure of true lear∣ning? If by the Catechismes they have been taught, and by the Sermons that they have heard, and by the Scri∣ptures and other bookes
which they have read, they had learned but every week, nay every moneth, one only good lesson, appertaining to godlinesse, they might by this time have proved skil∣full Casuists in matters of conscience. But this is not so great a defect as that which followeth. Our knowledge is much more better then our practice. God complai∣ned of his vineyard (and that vineyard was the house of Israel) that after much care and paines bestowed in the dressing, in steede of good grapes, which were rightly expected from it, it brought forth wilde grapes. Isa. 5.4. The meaning is, as the Pro∣phet expoundeth it v. 7. He looked for judgement, and be∣hold
oppression, and for righte∣ousnesse, but behold a cry; even a cry for wrongs and oppressions, & injuries done to their neighbours. And now a dayes, may not God complaine of us in like ma∣ner? There was never more dressing of Gods Vineyard, then now there is: more in∣structions to teach the way of blessednesse, more exhor∣tations to laye hold upon eternall life, or more threa∣tenings to deterre men from sinne. But may not God say now after all this, I looked for grapes, fruits of righte∣ousnesse and holinesse and of a sober life: but I finde wilde grapes, of lying, and of cou∣sening, & of oppressing, and of slandering, and of surfet∣ting,
and drunkennesse, and of new fantastick fashions. And if these be the fruits of our hearing and reading and professing; we may feare, lest that threatning may be ours also; This will I doe to my vineyard, I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall bee eaten up; and breake downe the wall thereof, and it shall be troden downe. And I will lay it waste: it shall not bee pruned, nor digged, but there shall come up briars and thornes. I will also command the clouds, that they raine no raine upon it. ver. 5. and 6. He meaneth that after so much labour lost, hee would take away the meanes of grace, and leave them to themselves; which is a fearefull judgement, not
to be thought on, without trembling. It will bee our wisdome then to look every one into his owne garden, & see what fruits he findeth there. If we finde there any grapes of gall, or vine-sets of Sodom; or if our wine prove the poison of dragons or the venom of aspes: it will be high time to take the pruning knife, and cutt off these wilde branches, that beare such bad fruits, or rather to take the pick axe and the mattock and to grub up the plants, on whose rootes they grow: that wee may bee trees of righte∣ousnes, bringing forth fruits answerable to the labour bestowed upon us.
Vse 3. If there bee such
vertue in Gods word to make a man blessed, we should learne to esteeme it as our happinesse, when wee doe enjoy it. So David did, I rejoyce for thy word, (saith he) as one that findeth great spoiles. Psal. 119.162. On which words a good writer giveth us this note, that David compareth the enjoying of Gods word to the getting of great spoiles, rather then to the having of any other riches, because spoiles taken from enemies do not onely enable men with wealth, but honour them also with tri∣umphs of victorie. And so wee should esteeme of the word of Gods grace, as a treasure that doth farre ex∣ceede both riches and what∣soever
else that cannot bring us to heaven and happinesse.
And from this esteeme we may learne three duties;
1. To praise God, that hath given us such a treasure. So David did; In a Psalme of his, which was framed for a forme of thanksgiving to God, and therefore he both beginneth it and endeth it with, Praise ye the Lord: in this Psal. he reckoneth this as a chiefe mercy for which he giveth God thanks, that he shewed his word unto Iacob; his statutes, and his judgments unto Israel. Ps. 147.19. And so we should reckon it, as one of Gods rich mercies towards us, that wee have such plentie of his word, that may bring us to blessed∣nesse
& eternall life: and in remembrance hereof both begin our morning and shut up our evening, as David be∣gan and ended his Psalme, with Praise wee the Lord.
2. We may learn, to use all good meanes to get this treasure into our owne pos∣session, that the word of Christ may dwell in us richly in all wisdome, as the Apostle spea∣keth Coloss. 3.16. Solomons counsell for attaining this wisdome, is that wee seeke for it, as for silver; and search for it, as for hid treasure. Prov. 2.4. Hee intimateth in this speech, that if any of us did know, that there were a mine of gold to be found by seeking, wee would be glad it were in our own ground,
wee would moreover digge the earth & hew the rocks, and draine the marishes, that nothing might hinder our obtaining of that trea∣sure. And in such maner would Solomon have us to labour for the knowledge of God, that lyeth hid in his word. Young people should desire to be catechi∣sed, old people to be further instructed, and all both yong and olde should willingly undergoe that paines what ever it bee, that may open the Mine, and bring us to the sight and possession of this treasure.
3. If there bee any of us who have children, whose happinesse wee doe desire; we learne from hence to
lay the foundation thereof, in the knowledge of Gods word. Moses commanded parents, that they should teach their children upon every occasion, and acquaint them with Gods word and his commandements; pro∣mising them that then their dayes, and the dayes of their children, should be multiplied in the land—as the dayes of heaven, Deut. 11.19, 21. And so if ye would leave a good portion indeede for your children, and provide that they may live long upon earth, and eternally in hea∣ven: catechise them in the principles of Gods word, sow the seedes of godlinesse in their tender mindes, and teach them how to follow
the directions of Gods Law; and this will give them in∣structions to know the right way, and will follow them with exhortations to goe on in the way, and will ne∣ver leave them, till it give them possession of heaven and eternall glory.
Suffr. de 2. art. thesi 5. pag. 30.
Indivi∣duo ne∣xu.