2 The Son of God bears witnesse in our hearts of this truth, by speaking freedome and liberty to our souls from the guilt of sin, John 8.36. If the Son shall make you free, then shall you be free indeed, that whereas before we were bound to our sins, and lusts, and wayes, Christ comes and sets us free from all, so that now we serve not our selves or men, but the Lord Christ; & by this a Christian knows that surely Christ is the Son of God, that hath made me a son of God my selfe.
3 The Spirit bears witnesse to our hearts of this truth, by convincing our hearts of it, John 16.9.
Secondly, By working a Spirit of faith, and a spirit of joy in believing, John 14.16, 17. Hence he is called the Comforter.
Thirdly, By giving us a spirit to make us overcome the temptations of the world, and the lusts of our own hearts, 2 Tim. 1.7. 1 John 4.4. and this testimony is divine.
1 Because it is the revelation and will of God himselfe.
2 Because it is above all humane power thus to draw us and convince us, and strengthen and comfort us against all temptations.
For the three witnesses on earth, they likewise bear witnesse to this truth in our hearts.
1 The Spirit, that is, the Spirit breathing in the Word hath such a mighty pow∣er to enlighten, and quicken, and strengthen a soul, that whatsoever the Spirit speaks in the Scripture, the same it witnesseth in our souls, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25.
2 Water bears witnesse in our hearts to this truth, that is, the water of Sanctification doth so cleanse, and cool, and refresh the conscience of a man, and make him so fruitful in his Christian course, that it's plainly a divine testi∣mony, it passeth all the power of the creature thus to pacifie and quiet the conscience; it is only the Spirit of God that is able thus to pacifie a guilty soul; thus to cleanse an impure heart, and to make these dry barren stocks as we are fruitful; this is a divine work of Gods Spirit.
3 The bloud of Christ witnesseth this truth to our hearts, by being sprinkled on our consciences, and so speaking peace to us; this is a divine work.
2 The same bloud purifies every Ordinance, and creature; there would be no vertue in any Ordinance, nothing would doe us good, but for the bloud of Christ sanctifying it to our use: now this testimony is of greater force then the testimony of all the sons of men together. There be three things needful in a testimony.
- 1 That it be certain.
- 2 Evident.
- 3 Powerfull and Effectuall.
1 This divine testimony is more certain, then all the testimonies of the world, because God is greater in knowledge, and so knows more then men can.
2 Because he is greater in truth; men may erre, but God cannot lye, Tit. 1.2, 3. Rom. 4.2.
2 This testimony is more evident, to make a thing evident is required,
- 1 Objectum perspicuum.
- 2 Organum bene affectum.
- 3 Medium apte dispositum.
Now God doth make this truth evident by the concurrence of all these.
1 He lets us plainly see the danger of sin, and the vertue and worth of Christs bloud; God reveals his Son to our hearts, John 3.12. Gal. 1.46. so what the Gospel speaks of his Son, the same is plainly revealed, and so he makes the object perspicuous.
2 He opens the eyes of men to discern it, to long after it, to tast of his ver∣tue and power, Acts 26.18. 1 Pet. 2.3. 1 Cor. 2.14, 15. A natural man sees nothing of this work.
3 He clears the Medium, that is, the Word and Sacraments, Prayer & Christian