SERM.

VII. In what refpect this may be called a divine CCXXII. faith? to this I anfwer: not only in refpect of the

object of it, and the argument whereby it is wrought,

and the effect of it: but likewife in refpect of the author and efficient of it, which is the divine fpirit. And here, if time would permit, I fhould fpeak of the testimony of the fpirit; not as an argument whereby a perfuafion of a divine revelation, viz. that the fcriptures are the word of God, is wrought; but also he is the author and efficient cause of it. I do most readily grant the great influence that the fpirit of God hath upon the minds of men in this work of faith, as well as in every spiritual act: but it is to be enquired, how the Spirit of GoD may be faid to work this faith in us; whether by ftrengthening the faculty; or by holding the mind intent upon the argument, whereby this perfuafion is wrought; or discovering the object; or removing the impediments or farthering and helping forward the efficacy of it upon our hearts and lives. But of this, GOD willing, in my next difcourse.

SER

SERMON CCXXIII.

Of the testimony of the Spirit, to the truth of the gospel.

IN

HE B. xi. 6.

But without faith it is impoffible to please GOD.

233

this text.

N difcourfing of the faith or perfuafion of a divine s ER M. revelation, I came to enquire, in what refpects CCXXIII. this may be called a divine faith. To which my an- The fifth fwer was, that it is a divine faith, not only with re- fermon on fpect to the object of it, and the argument whereby it is wrought, and the effect of it: but likewife in respect of the author and efficient of it, which is the divine Spirit. I proceed therefore to confider the teftimony of the divine Spirit, not only as an argument whereby a perfuafion of a divine revelation, viz. that the fcriptures are the word of God, is wrought but alfo as he is the author and efficient cause of it. The fcripture doth in a peculiar manner afcribe the belief of a divine revelation, especially of the revelation of the gospel, to the Spirit of GOD. In this fenfe the fcripture faith, "that no man can fay, that Jesus is the CHRIST, but by the Spirit "of GOD." And though every good perfuafion that we have, be in fome fort or other to be ascribed to God; yet I obferve it to be the phrafe of the new testament, to attribute the belief of the gofpel, in a more peculiar manner, to the Spirit of GOD. When any man believes the principles of natural religion, that there is a GOD, that the foul is immortal, and that there are rewards after this life, as the heathens did; even this is from GOD, who hath planted thefe princi

ples

CCXXIII.

SER M. ples in our natures; or, which comes all to one, hath given us fuch faculties, by the use and improvement of which, we may come to the knowledge of thefe principles but it is not ufual in the phrase of fcripture, to attribute this natural knowledge in fuch a peculiar manner to the Spirit of God.

When any man believes the matters of divine revelation, for inftance, the doctrines contained in the gofpel; this faith is to be attributed to the Spirit of GOD; but not as immediately perfuading us of the truth of thefe doctrines, but by perfuading us, that the gofpel which contains thefe truths, is a divine revelation; or which is all one, that the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who delivered thefe doctrines to the world, was a divine perfon, and came from Gop and if we once firmly believe and entertain this, that JESUS was the Meffias, and fent from GOD to acquaint the world with his mind and will, we can make no doubt of the truth of any thing which he hath delivered. So that the faith which the fcripture doth in a peculiar manner attribute to the Spirit of God, is this perfua fion, "That JESUS is the CHRIST;" that is, that he was the true Meffias, and fent from GOD.

So that the question is, how the Spirit of GoD doth concur to the begetting of this faith or perfuafion? or why this faith is in fuch a peculiar manner attributed to the Spirit of GOD?

I anfwer, upon these two accounts.

First, in refpect of the outward evidence which the Spirit of God gives us to perfuade us to believe.

Secondly, in refpect of the inward efficacy and ope ration of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men in believing.

First, in refpect of the outward evidence, which the Spirit of GOD gives us to perfuade us to believe.

And

CCXXIII.

And if this be not that which divines mean by the SER M. teftimony of the Spirit in this matter, yet I think it is that which may moft properly be fo called. Now the Spirit of GOD did outwardly teftify concerning JESUS, that he was the Meffias, and came from GOD and that the doctrine which he taught was divine.

1. In the voice from heaven, which accompanied the defcending of the Spirit upon him, in the form of a dove, faying, "this is my beloved fon, in whom "I am well pleafed," Matt. iii. 17.

2. In thofe miracles which CHRIST himfelf wrought by the Spirit of GoD; which were fo eminent a teftimony of the Spirit of GoD, that the refifting of the evidence of thofe miracles, and the attributing of them to the devil, is by our SAVIOUR called a blafphemy against the holy Ghost, and fuch a fin as shall never be pardoned; becaufe, miracles being the higheft atteftation that can be given to the divinity of any perfon, or his doctrine; whoever refifts this evidence, refifts his laft remedy; and fuch a perfon must needs remain in his infidelity, because there is nothing more that can be done for his con

viction.

3. The third eminent teftimony which the holy Spirit gave to CHRIST, was in the great miracle of his "refurrection from the dead;" and hence it is that the great miracle of CHRIST's refurrection, which was the highest atteftation to the divinity of his perfon, and the grand confirmation to his doctrine, iş frequently in fcripture, in a moft peculiar manner, afcribed to the Spirit of GOD. Rom. i. 4. " And

was declared to be the Son of GOD with power, "according to the Spirit of holinefs." that is, by thofe miracles which he wrought by the holy Ghoft, and by his refurrection from the dead." And fo

Rom.

SER M. Rom. viii. 11. "the Spirit of him that raised up CCXXIII... CHRIST from the dead."

1 Pet. iii. 18. "Being put to death in the flesh: but quickned by the Spirit."

4. In the effufion of the Spirit upon the apostles, who were to preach CHRIST and his doctrine to the world; and that it might carry it's evidence along with it, GOD poured forth his Spirit upon those who were to be the publishers of it; by which Spirit they were endued with feveral miraculous powers and gifts, to convince the world of the truth of the doctrine which they preached. And with relation to this, I think, it is that the apoftle faith, 1 Cor. ii. 4, 5. and my fpeech, and my preaching was "not with enticing words of man's wifdom; but "in demonftration of the Spirit, and of power; "that your faith fhould not ftand in the wisdom of "men, but in the power of GOD;" that is, they did not use human eloquence to perfuade men, but delivered the gospel with all plainnes: and that which made thofe plain difcourfes fo powerful, were thofe powerful demonftrations of the divine Spirit, which appeared in thofe miraculous gifts wherewith they were endowed. I am fure Origen underftands this text fo. And fo likewife the apoftle, 1 Theff. i. 5. fpeaks to the fame purpose, that "the gofpel "came not unto you in word only; but also in "power, and in the holy Ghoft, and in much affu"rance;" that is, they did not only speak words to men, but the doctrine which they preached, was attested in a powerful manner by the holy Ghost, in those extraordinary gifts which were bestowed upon them, which was a great evidence to their hearers, and gave them great affurance of the truth of what they delivered. I think this is the meaning of those

two