Part 4
Would you know how hard it is to go to Heaven? Read Matthew 7:13, 14; Luke 13:24.
Would you know whether a man by nature be a friend to God, or an enemy? Then read Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21.
Would you know what, or who they are, who shall go to Heaven? Then read John 3:3-7, and 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Would you know what a miserable thing it is for any to turn their backs upon the gospel of Jesus Christ? Then read Hebrews 10:28, 29, and Mark 16:16.
Would you know what is the wages of sin? Then read Romans 6:23, 'The wages of sin is death.'
Would you know where those go, who die unconverted? Then read Psalm 9:17, and Isaiah 14:9.
Reader, here might I spend many sheets of paper, yes, I might upon this subject write a very great book — but I shall now forbear, desiring you to be very conversant in the Scriptures, 'for they testify of Jesus Christ!' (John 5:39). The Bereans were counted noble upon this account: 'These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,' etc. (Acts 17:11).
But here let me give you one caution, that is, have a care that you do not satisfy yourself with a bare search of them, without a real application of him whom they testify of to your soul, lest instead of faring the better for your doing this work — you fare a great deal the worse, and your condemnation be very much heightened, in that though you read so often the miserable state of those who die in sin, and the glorious estate of those who close in with Christ — yet you yourself should be such a fool as to lose Jesus Christ, notwithstanding your hearing, and reading so plentifully of him.
'They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.' As if he should say: what need have they that one should be sent to them from the dead? Have they not Moses and the prophets? Has not Moses told them the danger of living in sin? (Deut 27:15-26, 28:15-68, 29:18-22). Has he not there told them, what a miserable state those people are in, who deceive themselves with the deceit of their hearts, saying they shall have peace though they follow their sins, in these words: 'And when he hears the words of this curse, he blesses himself in his heart, saying, "I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way." The Lord will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven!'
Again, Did not Moses write of the Savior who was to come afterwards into
the world? (Deut 18:18). Nay, have not all the prophets from Samuel, with all those who follow after, prophesied, and foretold these things? Therefore what need have they, that I should work such a miracle, as to send one from the dead unto them? 'They have Moses and the prophets — let them hear them.'
[Second.] From whence observe again, that God honors the writings of Moses and the prophets, as much, nay more — than if one should rise from the dead: 'Should not a people seek unto their God?' What, seek 'for the living among the dead? To the law, and to the testimony,' says God, 'if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them' (Isa 8:19,20). And let me tell you plainly, I believe that the devil knows this full well, which makes him labor to beget in the hearts of his disciples and followers light thoughts of the Scriptures; and persuades them, that even a motion from their own beguiled conscience, or from his own wicked spirit — is to be observed and obeyed before them.
When the very apostle of Jesus Christ, though he heard a voice from the excellent glory, saying, 'This is my beloved Son,' etc. — yet writing to the churches, he commends, the writing of the prophets before it, saying, 'We have also a more sure word of the prophets, to which you do well to take heed,' etc. (2 Peter 1:17-19). Now if you doubt whether that place be meant the Scriptures, the words of the prophets or not — read but the next verse, where he adds for a certain confirmation thereof, these words, 'Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man — but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.'
And therefore what a miserable thing is it for those who go about to disown the Scriptures! I tell you, however they may slight them now — yet when they come into Hell, they will see their folly! 'They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.'
Further, who are those who are so tossed to and fro, with the several winds of doctrine that have been broached in these days — but such for the most part, as have had a light esteem of the Scriptures. For the ground of error, as Christ says, "Are you not in error — because you do not know the Scriptures?" (Mark 12:24). And indeed, it is just with God to
give them over to follow their own dark blinded consciences, to be led into errors, that they might be damned into Hell — who did not believe that the things contained in the Scripture were the truth, that they might be saved and go to Heaven.
As for the unbelieving, I shall say to them, rather than God will save them from Hell with the breach of his holy Word, if they had a thousand souls apiece, God would destroy them all; for 'the Scripture cannot be broken' (John 10:35).
Verse 30. 'And he said, Nay, Father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.'
The verse before, you know, as I told you, it was part of an answer to such as lose their souls; so it is a vindication of the Scriptures of Moses and the prophets, 'They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.'
Now this verse is an answer to what was said in the former; and such a one as has in it a rejection of the former answer. 'Nay, father Abraham.' Nay, says he — do not say so, do not put them off with this; send one from the dead, and then there will be some hope! It is true you speak of the Scripture, of Moses and the prophets, and say, 'let them hear them'; but these things are not so well as I could wish, I had rather you would send one from the dead.
In these words therefore, Nay, father Abraham, there is a repulse given: Nay, let it not be so! Nay, I do not like of that answer. Hear Moses and the prophets, nay.
The same expression is used by Christ, Luke 13:2, 3. 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, Nay! But unless you repent, you too will all perish!' So here, Nay, father Abraham, etc.
By this word Nay, therefore, is signified a rejecting the first answer.
Now observe, I beg you, the reason why he says Nay, is, because God enjoins all those who will be saved, to observe and receive the truth
contained in Scripture, and believe that. To have a high esteem of them, and to love and search them, as Christ says, 'Search the Scriptures,' for 'they testify of me' (John 5:39). But the damned say, Nay! As if he had said: "To be short, my brethren are unbelievers, and do not regard the Word of God. I know it by myself, for when I was in the world — it was so with me. Many a good sermon did I hear, many a time was I admonished, entreated, beseeched, threatened, forewarned of what I now suffer. But alas! I was ignorant, self-conceited, surly, obstinate, and rebellious. Many a time the preacher told me that Hell would be my portion, that the devil would wreck his malice on me; that God would pour on me his sore displeasure. But he might just as well have preached to the trees, to the post, to the stones I trod on! His words rang in my ears — but I kept them from my heart. I remember he alleged many a Scripture — but those I valued not. The Scriptures, thought I — what are they? A dead letter, a little ink and paper, of three or four shillings' price. Alas! What is the Scripture to me? Give me a foolish ballad, a newspaper, a novel — give me some book that tells of old fables. But for the holy Scriptures — I cared not. And as it was with me then — so it is with my brethren now, we were all of one spirit, loved all the same sins, slighted all the same counsels, promises, encouragements and threatenings of the Scriptures! And they are still, just as I left them — still in unbelief, still provoking God, and rejecting good counsel, so hardened in their ways, so bent to follow sin — that let the Scriptures be showed to them daily, let the messengers of Christ preach until their hearts ache, until they fall down dead with preaching — my brothers will rather trample it under foot, and swine-like rend them, than close in with those gentle and blessed offers of the gospel."
"Nay, father Abraham — but if one would rise from the dead, they would repent. Though they have Moses and the prophets, the Scriptures — they will not repent and close in with Jesus Christ, though the Scriptures witness against them. If therefore there is any good done to them — they must have it another way. I think that it would convince them, if one would rise from the dead."
And this truth indeed is so evident, that ungodly ones have a light esteem of the Scriptures, that it needs not many strong arguments to prove it,
being so evidently manifested by their every day's practice, both in words and actions, almost in all things they say and do. Yet for the satisfaction of the reader, I shall show you by a Scripture or two, though I might show many, that this was and is true, with the generality of the world.
See the words of Nehemiah in his 9th chapter concerning the children of Israel, who though the Lord offered them mercy upon mercy, as it is from verse 19-25, yet verse 26, says he, 'Nevertheless they were disobedient' for all your goodness towards them, 'and rebelled against you.' But how? 'They cast your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies.'
Observe,
1. They sinned against mercy. And then,
2. They slighted the law, or Word of God.
3. They slew the prophets who declared it unto them.
4. The Lord counts it a great provocation. See Hebrews 3:10-19.
Zechariah 7:11, 12, 'But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry!' etc.
Mark, I beg you, here is also,
(1.) A refusing to hearken to the words of the prophets.
(2.) That they might so do, they stopped up their ears.
(3.) If anything was to be done, they turned their backs.
(4.) To effect his, they made their hearts as hard as flint.
(5.) And all this — lest they should hear and close in with Jesus, and live, and be delivered from the wrath to come.
All which things do hold out an unwillingness to submit to, and embrace the words of God, and so Jesus Christ, who is testified of by them. Many other scriptures I might bring in for confirmation of the this fact, as that in Amos 7:12, 13; 1 Samuel 2:24, 25; 2 Chronicles 25:15, 16; Jeremiah 7:23-28, 16:12. Read also seriously, that saying in 2 Chronicles 36:15, where he says, 'And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up early, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwellingplace.' And did they make them welcome? No! but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words. And was that all? No! They 'misused his prophets.' How long? 'Until the wrath of the Lord arose against them. Until there was no remedy!' See also Jeremiah 29:19, 25:3-7; Luke 11:49.
Both religious and profane people neglect, reject, and turn their backs upon the plain testimony of the Scriptures. As,
First. Take the THREATENINGS laid down in holy writ — and how are they disregarded? These are but a few places in the Bible where there are threatenings against one sinner or other: against drunkards, swearers, liars, proud people, strumpets, whoremongers, covetous, railers, extortioners, thieves, lazy people, etc. In a word, all manner of sins are reproved, and without faith in the Lord Jesus, there is a sore punishment to be executed on the committers of them; and all this is clearly taught in the Scriptures.
But for all this — how thick, and by heaps, do these wretches walk up and down our streets? Do but go into the alehouses, and you shall see almost every room besprinkled with them, so foaming out their own shame, that it is enough to make the heart of a saint to tremble! They would not desire to have society with them any long while, for all the world. For as the ways of the godly are not liked of by the wicked, even so the ways of the wicked 'are an abomination to the just' (Prov 29:27; Psalm 120:5,6).
1. The Scripture says, 'Cursed is the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord' (Jer 17:5). And yet
how many poor souls are there in the world, who stand in so much awe and dread of men, and so highly esteem their favor — that they will rather venture their souls into the hands of the devil with their favor, than they will fly to Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls! Nay, though they are convinced in their souls, that the way of holiness is the way of God; yet how do they labor to stifle conviction, and turn their ears away from the truth — and all because they will not lose the favor of an ungodly neighbor!
Says one, "O! I dare not offend my master, my brother, my landlord! I shall lose his favor, his business — and so decay my own business."
"O, says another, I would willingly go in God's way — but for my father, he chides and tells me he will not be my friend when I come to poverty; that I shall never enjoy a pennyworth of his goods; he will disinherit me!"
"And I dare not", says another, "for my husband will be a-railing, and tells me he will turn me out of doors! He will beat me, and cut off my support!"
But I tell you, if any of these, or any other things are so prevalent with you now, as to keep you from seeking after Christ in his ways — they will also be so prevalent with God against you, as to make him cast off your soul, because you rather trusted man than God; and delighted in the embracing of man, rather than in the favor of the Lord!
2. Again, the Scripture says, 'He who being often reproved, hardens his neck — shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy!' (Prov 29:1). Yet many are so far from turning, though they have been convinced of their wretched state a hundred times, that when convictions or trouble for sin comes on their consciences — they go on still in the same manner resisting and choking the same — though remediless destruction is hard at their heels!
3. Again you have heard say, 'Unless a man is born again — he cannot enter into the kingdom of God' (John 3:3-7). And yet you go on in a natural state, an unregenerate condition; nay, you do resolve never to turn nor be changed, though Hell is appointed on purpose to swallow up
such (Isa 14:9). 'The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God' (Psalm 9:17).
4. Again, the Scripture says plainly, that all liars and deceivers shall have their part 'in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone' (Rev 21:8,27). And yet you are so far from dreading it, that it is your delight to jest and jeer, and lie for a penny, or twopence, or sixpence, again. And also if you can make the rest of your companions merry, by telling false things of the godly — you do not care a straw! Or if you hear a lie from, or of another — you will tell it to others, and swear to the truth of it. O miserable state!
5. You have heard and read, that 'He who believes not shall be damned' (Mark 16:16). And that 'all men have not faith' (2 Thess 3:2). And yet you do so much disregard these things, that it is like you scarcely ever so much as examined seriously whether you were in the faith or not; but content yourself with the hypocrite's hope, which at the last God will cut off, and count it no better than the spider's web (Job 8:13,14), or the house that is built on the sands (Luke 6:49). Nay, you perhaps do flatter yourself, and think that your faith is as good as the best of them all; when, alas, poor soul, you may have no saving faith at all; for you are not born again, and made a new creature (2 Cor 2:17).
6. You have heard, that he who neglects God's great salvation — shall never escape his great damnation (Heb 2:3, compared with Luke 14:24, and Rev 14:19,20). And yet when you are invited, entreated, and beseeched to come in, you will make any excuse to serve the turn (Luke 14:17,18; Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 5:19,20). Nay, you will be so wicked as to put off Christ time after time, notwithstanding he is so freely offered to you: a little ground, a few oxen, a farm, a wife, a two-penny matter, a play; nay, the fear of a mock, a scoff or a jeer — is of greater weight to draw you back, than the salvation of your soul to draw you forward! O miserable state!
7. And you have heard, that whoever will be a friend of the world — is the enemy of God (James 4:4). But you have no regard for these things — but contrariwise; rather than you be out of the friendship and favor of this world, you will sin against your own conscience, and get yourself into favor, by fawning and flattering of the world. Yes, rather than you will go
without it — you will dissemble, lie, backbite your neighbor, and an hundred other tricks you will have!
8. You have heard that the day of judgment is near, in which you and I, all of us, must appear before the tribunal of Jesus Christ, and there be made to give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead — even of all that ever we did, yes, of all our sins in thought, word, and deed — and shall certainly be damned for them too — if we close not in with our Lord Jesus Christ, and what he has done and suffered for eternal life; and that not notionally or traditionally — but really and savingly, in the power, and by the operation of the Spirit, through faith (Eccl 11:9, 12:14; Acts 10:42, 17:30,31; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27; Rev 20:12).
'And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books.'
There are several 'books': the book of conscience, the book of the Lord's remembrance, the book of the law, the book of the gospel (Rom 1:20, compare with Rom 2:12,15; Rev 6:17; John 12:48).
Then 'he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep on the right hand — but the goats on his left' (Matt 25:30-41). 'And he shall say to them on his right hand — Come, you who are blessed!' But to the other, go, or 'Depart, you who are cursed!'
Yet, notwithstanding the Scriptures do so plainly and plentifully speak of these things, alas! who is there that is weaned from the world, and from their sins and pleasures — to fly from the wrath to come? (Matt 3:7).
Notwithstanding the Scripture says also that Heaven and earth shall pass away, rather than one jot, or one tittle of the word shall fail, 'until all be fulfilled,' they are so certain (Luke 21:33; Matt 5:18).
But leaving the threatenings, let us come to the promises, and speak somewhat of them, and you may see how light men make of them, and how little they set by them, notwithstanding the mouth of the Lord has spoken them.
Second, Take the PROMISES laid down in holy writ — and how are they disregarded?
1. 'Turn,' you fools, you scorners, you simple ones, 'at my reproof'; and 'behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you' (Prov 1:23). And yet people had rather be in their foolishness and scorning still, and had rather embrace some filthy lust — than the holy, undefiled, and blessed Spirit of Christ, through the promise; though by it, as many as receive it, 'are sealed unto the day of redemption' (Eph 4:30); and although he who lives and dies without it, is none of Christ's (Rom 8:9).
2. God has said, if you do but come to him in Christ, 'Though your sins be as red as scarlet — they shall be as white as snow'; and he will by no means cast you away. Compare Isaiah 1:18 with John 6:37. Yet poor souls will not come to Christ that they might have life (John 5:40) — but rather after their hardness and impenitent heart, treasure up unto themselves wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Rom 2:5).
3. Christ Jesus has said in the Word of truth, that if any man will serve and follow him, that where he is, 'there shall also his servant be' (John 12:26). But yet poor self-deluded souls choose rather to serve and follow sin, Satan, and the world — though their companions are the devils and damned souls forever (Matt 25:41).
4. He has also said, 'Seek first the kingdom of God — and all other things shall be added.' But let whoever will, seek after the kingdom of Heaven first. And if it is so, that they must needs seek after Heaven, or else be damned — they will wait until they have more leisure time, or until they can better attend to it; or until they have other fine things about them, or until they are older; when they have little else to do, or when they come to be sick, and to die. Only then they will desire the Lord to have mercy upon them! though it be ten thousand to one — but they perish forever!
For commonly the Lord has this way to deal with such sinners, who put him off when he is striving with them: either to laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear comes (Prov 1:26,28). Or else send them to the gods they have served, which are the devils (Judg 10:13,14) "But you have forsaken me and served other gods — so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!" Compare this with John 8:44.
5. He has said, 'There is no man who forsakes father, or mother, wife, or children, or lands, for his sake and the gospel's — but shall have a hundred-fold in this world, along with persecution — and in the world to come life everlasting' (Mark 10:29,30).
But men, for the most part, are so far off from believing the certainty of this, that they will scarcely lose the earning of a penny to hear the Word of God, the gospel of salvation. Nay, they will neither go themselves, nor allow others to go, if they can help it, without threatening to do them a mischief, if it lies in their way. Nay, further, many are so far from parting from any worldly gain for Christ's sake, and the gospel's — that they are still striving, by hook and by crook, as we say, by swearing, lying, deceiving, stealing, covetousness, extortion, oppression, forgery, bribery, flattery, or any other way to get more! Yet they get along with their worldly gain — death, wrath, damnation, Hell, the devil, and all the plagues that God can pour upon them!
And if any do not run with them to the same excess of riot — but rather for all their threats will be so bold and careless, as they call it, as to follow the ways of God; if they can do no more — yet they will sharpen their tongues like a sword to wound them, and do them the greatest mischief they can, both in speaking against them to neighbors, to wives, to husbands, to landlords, and raising false reports of them. But let such take heed lest they be in such a state, and woeful condition as he was in, who said, in vexation and anguish of soul, 'Oh that I had one drop of cold water to cool my tongue!'
Thus might I add many things out of the holy Writ, both threatenings and promises, besides those Heavenly counsels, loving reproofs, free invitations to all sorts of sinners, both old and young, rich and poor,
bond and free, wise and unwise. All which have been, now are, and is to be feared, as long as this world lasts — will be trampled under the feet of those swine — I call them not men — who will continue in the same! But take a review of some of them:
1. COUNSEL.
What Heavenly counsel is that where Christ says, 'I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see!' (Rev 3:18). Also that, 'Ho, everyone that thirsts, come to the waters! Yes, come, buy wine and milk — without money and without price' (Isa 55:1). 'Hear, and your soul shall live' (5 3). 'Take hold of my strength, that you may make peace with me, and you shall make peace with me' (Isa 27:5).
2. INSTRUCTION.
'Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that hears me,' says Christ, 'watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me, finds life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord' (Prov 8:33-35). 'Take heed that no man deceive you by any means.' 'Labor not for the food which perishes — but for that which endures unto everlasting life' (John 6:27). 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate' (Luke 13:24). 'Believe on the Lord Jesus — and you shall be saved' (Acts 16:31). 'Believe not every spirit — but try the spirits.' 'Quench not the Spirit.' 'Lay hold on eternal life.' 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven' (Matt 5:16). 'Take heed, and beware of hypocrisy.' 'Watch and be sober.' 'Learn of me,' says Christ, 'come unto me.'
3. FOREWARNING.
'Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with his stroke, then a great ransom cannot deliver you' (Job 36:18). 'For the Lord has plainly said that he is determined to crush the whole land. So scoff no more, or your punishment will be even greater!' (Isa 28:22). 'Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you that is written, Behold, you despisers,
and wonder and perish. For I work a work in your days, which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you' (Acts 13:40,41). 'Let him that thinks he stands — take heed lest he fall' (1 Cor 10:12). 'Watch and pray — that you enter not into temptation' (Matt 26:41). 'Let us therefore fear lest a promise being' made, and left us of entering into his rest — that any of you should seem to come short of it' (Heb 4:1). 'I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the Lord having saved the people out of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not' (Jude 5). 'Hold that fast which you have, that no man takes your crown' (Rev 3:11).
4. COMFORT.
'Him that comes to me — I will never cast out' (John 6:37). 'Come unto me, all you who labor, and are heavy laden — and I will give you rest' (Matt 11:28). 'Be of good cheer — your sins are forgiven' (Matt 9:2). 'I will never leave, nor forsake you,' for 'I have loved you with an everlasting love' (Jer 31:3). 'I lay down my life for the sheep.' I lay down my life that they may have life. 'I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.' 'At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you' (2 Cor 6:2). 'Though your sins be as scarlet — they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson — they shall be as wool.' 'For I have blotted out as a thick cloud your transgression, and as a cloud your sins; return unto me, for I have redeemed you' (Isa 44:22).
5. GRIEF to those who fall short. O miserable grief!
'How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof, and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me' (Prov 5:11-13). They shall 'curse their king and their God, and look upward. And they shall look unto the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish, and they shall be driven to darkness' (Isa 8:21,22). 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing!' (Psalm 112:9,10). 'There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God — but you yourselves thrown out!' (Luke 13:28). All of the above Scripture threatenings are slighted by the world!
Thus much, in short, concerning this: That ungodly men undervalue the Scriptures, and give no credit to them, when the truth that is contained in them is held forth in simplicity unto them — but rather cry out, "Nay — but if one should rise from the dead!" Then they think that people would believe. When alas, though signs and wonders were wrought by the hands of those who preach the gospel, these poor creatures would never the sooner believe; though they suppose they would, as is evident by the behaviors of their forerunners, who albeit the Lord Jesus Christ himself did confirm his doctrine by miracles — as opening blind eyes, casting out of devils, and raising the dead — they were so far from receiving either him or his doctrine — that they put him to death for his pains! Though he had done so many miracles among them — yet they would not believe in him! (John 12:37).
But to pass this, I shall lay down some of the GROUNDS of their rejecting and undervaluing the Scriptures, and so pass on.
1. Because they do not believe that the Scriptures are the Word of God — but rather suppose them to be the inventions of men, written by some politicians, on purpose to make poor ignorant people to submit to some religion and government. Though they do not say this — yet their practices testify the same: "When such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, 'I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.' This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The Lord will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven!" Deuteronomy 29:19-20
And this must needs be, for did but men believe this, that it is the Word of God, then they must believe that he who speaks it is true — therefore shall every word and tittle be fulfilled. And if they come once to this, unless they are stark mad — they will be concerned lest they throw themselves under the lash of eternal vengeance.
For the reason why the Thessalonians received the Word, was, because they believed it was the Word of God, and not the word of man, which effectually worked in them by their thus believing. 'When you received the Word of God which you heard of us,' says he, 'you received it not as the word of man — but, as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you who believe' (1 Thess 2:13). So that did a man but receive it in hearing, or reading, or meditating, as it is the Word of God — he would be converted. 'But the Word preached did not profit them — not being mixed with faith in those who heard it' (Heb 4:2).
2. Because they do not indeed see themselves as heirs of that exceeding wrath and vengeance, which the Scriptures testify of. For did they but consider what God intends to do with those who live and die in a natural state — it would either sink them into despair, or make them fly for refuge to the hope that is set before them. But if there are ever such sins committed, and ever so great wrath denounced, and the time of execution is ever so near — yet if the party who is guilty is senseless, and altogether ignorant thereof — then he will be careless, and regard it as nothing at all.
And that man, by nature, is in this condition — is evident. For, take the same man that is senseless, and ignorant of that misery he is in by nature, I say, take him at another time when he is a little awakened — and then you shall hear him roar, and cry out as long as trouble is upon him, and a sense of the wrath of God hanging over his head, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved!'
Though the same man at another time, when his conscience is fallen asleep, and grown hard — will lie like the blacksmith's dog at the foot of the anvil, though the fire-sparks fly in his face.
But, as I said before, when anyone is a little awakened, O what work will one verse, one line, nay, one word of the holy Scriptures make in his heart! He cannot eat, sleep, work, keep company with his former companions — and all because he is afraid that the damnation spoken of in Scripture will fall to his share! Like Balaam, who said, 'I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord' (Num 22:18). So long as he had something of the word of the Lord with authority, severity, and power on his heart; but at another time he could teach 'Balak to cast a stumbling-block before
the children of Israel' (Rev 2:14).
3. Because the godless priests tickle the ears of their hearers with vain philosophy and deceit, and thereby harden their hearts against the simplicity of the gospel and Word of God; which things the apostle admonished those who have a mind to close in with Christ to avoid, saying, 'Beware lest any man,' be he what he will, 'takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ' (Col 2:8).
And you who muzzle up your people in ignorance with Aristotle, Plato, and the rest of the heathenish philosophers, and preach little, if anything, of Christ rightly; I say unto you — that you will find you have sinned against God, and beguiled your hearers, when God shall, in the judgmentday, lay the cause of the damnation of many thousands of souls to your charge, and will require their blood at your hands! (Eze 33:6).
4. Another reason why the carnal unbelieving world so slight the Word of God, is, because the judgment spoken of in the Scripture is not presently executed on the transgressors. "When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out — the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong!" (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
Because God does not presently strike the poor wretch down as soon as he sins — but waits, and forbears, and is patient — therefore the world judging God to be unfaithful to His threatenings — commit their sins again and again, and every time grow harder and harder, until at last God sends death, with the devil and Hell — to fetch them!
"These things you have done and I kept silent! You thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue!" Psalm 50:21, 22
5. Another reason why the blind world slights the authority of Scripture, is, because they give ear to the devil, who, through his subtlety, casts false evasions and corrupt interpretations on them, rendering them not so
point blank as the mind of God, and a rule for direction to poor souls; persuading them that they must give ear and way to something else besides the Scriptures. Or else he labors to render it vile and contemptible, by persuading them that it is a dead letter.
But the Scripture is not so dead, but that the knowledge of it is able to make any man wise unto salvation, through faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 3:15); and is profitable for instruction, reproof, and correction in righteousness — that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished to all good works (5 17).
And where it is said the letter kills, he means the law, as it is the ministration of damnation, or a covenant of works — and so indeed it kills, and must do so, because it is just; forasmuch as the party who is under the same, is not able to yield to it a complete and continual obedience.
But yet I will call Peter and Paul to witness that the Scriptures are of a very glorious concernment, inasmuch as in them is held forth to us the way of life; and also in that they do administer good ground of hope to us. 'For whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope' (Rom 15:4). And again, 'Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him' (Rom 16:25,26). And therefore whoever they are who slight the Scriptures — they slight that which is no less than the Word of God! And those who slight that — slight him who spoke it! And those who do so, let them look to themselves, for God will be revenged on such! Much more might be said to this matter — but I would not be tedious.
A word or two more, so I will be done with this. Consider the danger of slighting the words of the prophets or apostles, whether they be correction, reproof, admonition, forewarning, or the blessed invitations and promises contained in them.
1. Consider: Such souls do provoke God to anger, and to execute his vengeance on them. 'But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry. 'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the Lord Almighty' (Zech 7:11-13).
2. Consider: God will not regard them in their calamity. 'But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you — when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.' (Prov 1:24-29).
3. Consider: God commonly gives up such men to delusions — to believe lies. 'Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved,' therefore 'God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie — that they all might be damned!' (2 Thess 2:10-12).
4. Consider: In a word, those who continue to reject and slight the Word of God — they are such, for the most part, as are ordained to be damned! Old Eli, his sons not hearkening to the voice of their father reproving them for their sins — but disobeying his voice, it is said, It was 'because the Lord would slay them' (1 Sam 2:25). Again see in 2 Chronicles 25:15, 16. Amaziah having sinned against the Lord, he sends to him a prophet to reprove him; but Amaziah says, 'Forbear, why should you be smitten?' He did not hearken to the word of God, 'Then the prophet forbore, saying, I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have not hearkened unto my counsel.' Read, therefore, and the Lord give you understanding. For a miserable end will those have — who go on sinning against God, rejecting his Word.
Other things might have been observed from this verse, which at this time I shall pass by; partly because the sum of them has been touched upon
already, and may be more clearly hinted at in the following verse; and therefore I shall speak a few words to the next verse, and so draw towards a conclusion.
Verse 31. 'And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.'
'And he said'; that is, and God made answer to the words spoken in the verse before, 'And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses,' etc. As if he had said, Moses was a man of great renown, a man of worthy note, a man who talked with God face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. The words that Moses spoke were such as I commanded him to speak. Let who will question them, I will own them, credit them, bless those who close with them — and curse those who reject them.
I myself sent the prophets, they did not run of their own volition, I gave them commission, I sent them out, and told them what they would say. In a word, they have told the world what my mind is to do, both to sinners and to saints.
'They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.' Therefore he who shall reject and turn his back either upon the threatenings, counsels, admonitions, invitations, promises, or whatever else I have commanded them to speak as to salvation and life, and to directions therein — shall be sure to have a share in the many curses that they have spoken, and the destruction which is pronounced by them.
Again, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets,' etc. As if he had said, You would have me send one from the dead unto them — what is the need of that? They have my mind already, I have declared unto them what I intend to do, both for saving those who believe, and damning those who do not. That therefore which I have said — I will surely make good — whether they hear or forbear. And as for this desire of yours, you had as just as well asked me to make a new Bible, and so to revoke my first sayings by the mouth of my prophets! But I am God and not man, and my Word is immutable, and unchangeable — and shall stand as firm as my decrees can make it! Heaven and earth shall pass away — but one jot or tittle of my Word shall not pass away! (Matt 5:18).
If you had ten thousand brethren, and every one in danger of losing his soul, if they did not close in with what is already contained and recorded in the Scriptures of truth — every one of them must surely perish, and be forever damned in Hell — for the Scriptures cannot be broken!
I did not give the Scriptures so unadvisedly, as to recall it again by another consideration. No, for I speak in righteousness and in judgment (Isa 63:1-3), and in much wisdom and counsel. The Scripture being therefore gone out of my mouth in this manner, it shall not return in vain, until it has accomplished the thing whereto I have sent it (Isa 55:11).
But again, you suppose that miracles and wonders will work more on them, which makes you say, 'Send one from the dead.' But herein you are mistaken, for I have proved them with that many times — by my servants. How many miracles did my servant Moses work by commandment from me in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness! Yet those of that generation were never converted for all that; but, notwithstanding, rebelled and lusted, and in their hearts turned back into Egypt! (Acts 7).
How many miracles did Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and the prophets, together with my Son — who raised the dead, cast out devils, healed blind eye and gave and restored limbs! Yet for all this, as I said before — they hated him, they crucified him! I raised him again from the dead, and he appeared to his disciples, who were called, and chosen, and faithful, and he gave them commandment and commission to go and testify the truth of this to the world; and to confirm the same he enabled them to speak with divers languages, and to work miracles most plentifully — yet there was great persecution raised against them, insomuch that but a few of them died peacefully in their beds. And, therefore, though you think that a miracle will do so much with the world — yet I say no! For if they will not believe Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one should rise from the dead!
From these words, therefore, take notice of this truth, namely — that those who reject and believe not Moses and the prophets, are a very hardhearted people, who will not be persuaded though one rises from the dead. Those who regard not the holy Scriptures to turn to God, finding them to testify of his goodness and mercy — there is but little hopes of
their salvation; for they will not — mark, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
This truth is confirmed by Jesus Christ himself. If you read John 5, where the Lord is speaking of himself that he is the very Christ, he brings in several witnesses to back what he said.
1. John Baptist.
2. The works that his Father gave him to do.
3. His Father speaking from Heaven.
4. The testimony of the Scriptures.
When all this was done, seeing yet they would not believe — he lays the fault upon one of these two things:
(1.) Their regarding an esteem among men.
(2.) Their not believing of the prophets' writings, even Moses and the rest. 'For had you believed Moses,' says he, 'you would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?'
Now, I say, he who shall slight the Scriptures, and the testimony of the prophets in them concerning Jesus Christ — must needs be in great danger of losing his soul, if he abides in this condition; because he who slights the testimony, does also slight the thing testified of. For as Jesus Christ has here laid down the reason of men's not receiving him, so the apostle in another place lays down the reason again with a high and mighty aggravation (1 John 5:10), saying, 'He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he who believes not God has made him a liar, because he believes not the record,' mark, 'the record that God gave of his Son.'
The record, you will say — what is that? Why even the testimony that God gave of him by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:18-20). That is, God sending his holy Spirit into the hearts of his
servants, the prophets and apostles — he, by his Spirit in them, bore witness or record of the truth of salvation by his Son Jesus, both before and after his coming.
The apostle, speaking of Jesus Christ and obedience to God through him, says thus, Now 'he who despises, despises not man — but God.' But it is Paul who speaks; true — but it is by and through the Spirit, 'He therefore that despises, despises not man — but God, who has also given unto us his Holy Spirit.' This is therefore a mighty confirmation of this truth, that he who slights the record or testimony that God, by his Spirit in his prophets and apostles, has testified unto us — slights the testimony of the Spirit who moved them to speak these things; and if so, then I would gladly know how any man can be saved by Jesus Christ — who slights the testimony concerning Christ, yes, the testimony of his own Spirit concerning him?
'To the law,' therefore, 'and to the testimony,' try them by that; 'if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.'
The apostle Peter, when he speaks of the glorious voice that he had from the excellent majesty, saying of Christ, 'This is my beloved Son — hear him,' says thus to those who he wrote unto, 'You have also a more sure word of prophecy,' or of the prophets, for so you may read it, 'unto which you do well that you take heed.' That is, though we tell you that we had this excellent testimony from his own mouth evidently — yet you have the prophets. We tell you this, and you need not doubt of the truth of it; but if you should — yet you may not, must not, ought not to question the Scriptures. Search therefore into them, until the day dawns, and the daystar arises in your hearts. That is, until by the same Spirit who gave forth the Scripture, you find the truth confirmed to your souls, which you have recorded in the Scriptures that this word of prophecy, or of the prophets, is the Scriptures. Read on; for, says he, 'knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation,' etc. (2 Peter 1:20).
OBJECTION: But, you will say, What is the need of all this ado, and why is all this time and pain spent in speaking to this, which is surely believed already? This is a thing received by all, that they believe the Scriptures to
be the Word of God, that sure word of prophecy; and therefore you need not spend your time in proving these things, and the truth of them, seeing we grant and confess the truth of it before you being to speak your judgment of them.
ANSWER. The truths of God cannot be borne witness unto too often:
1. You may as well say — You need not preach Jesus Christ so much, seeing he has been, and is received for the true Messiah already.
2. Though many may suppose that they believe the Scriptures — yet if they were but well examined, you will find them either by word of mouth, or else by their lifestyle — to deny, reject, and slight the holy Scriptures. It is true, there is a notional and historical assent in the head. I say, in the head of many, or most — to the truths contained in Scripture. But try them, I say, and you shall find but a little, if any, of the faith which is the operation of God in their hearts — to believe the Scriptures, and things contained in them. Many, yes, most people believe the Scriptures — as they believe a fable, a story, a tale, of which there is no certainty! But alas! there are but few do in deed and in truth believe the Scriptures to be the very Word of God.
OBJECTION: But you will say, This seems strange to me.
ANSWER. And it seems as true to me, and I will make it manifest, that there are but few, yes, very few — who effectually believe the Scriptures, and the truths contained in and spoken of by them.
But to make this appear, and that to purpose, if God will, I shall lay down the several operations that the Scriptures have on those who effectually believe the things contained in them.
First. He who effectually believes the Scriptures, has in the first place been killed — I say killed by the authority of the holy Scriptures; struck stark dead in a spiritual sense, by the holy Scriptures, being sent home by that Spirit, which gave them forth, upon the soul. 'The letter kills'; the letter strikes men dead (2 Cor 3:6). And this Paul witnessed and found, 'I was alive without the law once.' That is, in my natural state, before the
law was applied to my heart with power; 'But when the commandment came, sin revived and I died' (Rom 7:9). 'And that law which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death; for sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me' (5 11).
Now that which is called 'the letter' in 2 Corinthians, is called the law in Romans 7, which by its power and operation, as it is wielded by the Spirit of God, does in the first place kill and slay all those who are enabled to believe the Scriptures. 'I kill,' says God — that is, with my law I pierce, I wound, I prick men into the very heart, by showing them their sins against my law (Deut 31:26; Acts 2:37). And he who is ignorant of this, is also ignorant of, and does not really and effectually believe the Scripture.
But you will say, 'How does the law kill and strike dead the poor creatures?'
Answer. The letter or law kills thus: It is set home upon the soul, and reveal to the soul its transgressions against the law, and shows the soul also, that it cannot completely satisfy the justice of God, for the breach of his law; therefore it is condemned (John 3:18). Mark, 'He who believes not, is condemned already.' Namely, condemned by the law — that is, the law condemns him; yes, it has condemned him already for his sins against it; as it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them' (Gal 3:10). Now all men as they come into the world are in this condition — that is, condemned by the law.
Yet not believing their condemnation by the law really, they do not also believe really and effectually the law that condemns them. For as men have but a poor notion of the one, that is, their condemnation, because of sins against the law — so they have but a poor notion of the condemning, killing, and destroying power of the law. For, as the one is — so always is the other. There is no man that really believes the law or gospel, further than they do feel the power and authority of them in their hearts. 'You are in error, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.' Now this letter or law, is not to be taken in the largest sense — but is strictly to be tied to the ten commandments, whose proper work is only by showing the soul its sin against this law — to kill — and there leaves him stark dead,
not giving him the least life, or support, or comfort — but leaves the soul in a helpless and hopeless condition, as from itself, or any other mere creature.
It is true the law sees all men as dead in sin, as they come into the world; but all men do not see themselves dead, until they see that law that struck them dead, striking in their souls, and having struck them that fatal blow. As a man who is fast asleep in a burning house, with the fire about his ears — and he not knowing of it because he is asleep — is unconcerned. Just so, because poor souls are asleep in sin, though the wrath of God, the curse of his law, and the flames of Hell have beset them round about — yet they do not believe it, because they are asleep in sin!
Now, as he who is awakened and sees this, sees that through this he is a dead man; even so those who do see their state by nature, being such a miserable condition, do also see themselves by that law to be dead men naturally.
But now, when did you feel the power of this first part of the Scripture, the law, so mighty as to strike you dead? If not, you do not so much as truly believe that part of the Scripture that contains the law in it, to be the truth of God. Yet if you should have felt something, I say, something of the killing power of the law of God in your heart, this is not an argument to prove that you believe all the things contained in Scripture, for there is gospel as well as law; and therefore I shall speak to that also, that is, whether you have felt the power of the gospel, as well as something of the power of the law.
Second. Then you have found the power of the gospel, and so believed it, you have found it thus with your soul.
1. You have been showed by the Word or truth of the gospel, in the light of the Spirit of Christ, that by nature you were without the true faith of the Son of God in your soul. For when He, the Spirit, has come, he shall show men that 'they believe not in me,' says Christ (John 16:9). Mark, though you have, as I said before, felt somewhat of the power of the law, letter, or ten commandments — yet, as you have not been brought to this, to see by the Spirit in the gospel, that you are without faith by nature, you
have not yet tasted, much less believed, any part of the gospel.
For the gospel and the law are two distinct covenants. And those who are under the law or first covenant, and yet in the meantime to be a stranger to the covenant of promise, that is, the gospel, and so have no hope in them (Eph 2:12). There is not any promise that can be savingly believed, until the soul be by the gospel converted to Jesus Christ. For though men think ever so much that they believe the things or the Word of the gospel of our salvation; yet unless they have the work of grace in their souls, they do not, cannot rightly believe the things contained in the Scriptures. Again,
2. As the law kills those who believe it, even so the promises contained in the gospel do, through faith, administer comfort to those who believe it aright. My words, says Christ, My words, 'they are Spirit, and they are life' (John 6:63). As if he had said, the words contained in the law as a covenant of works — they wound, they kill, they strike dead those who are under them. But as for me, 'The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.' That is, whoever receives them believingly — shall find them full of operation, to comfort, quicken, and revive their soul. For as I did not come into the world to destroy men's lives, so the words that I speak, as I am sent to preach the gospel, they have no such tendency unto those who believe them.
The promises that are in the gospel, O how do they comfort them! Such a promise, and such a promise — O how sweet is it! How comfortable to those who believe them! Alas! there are many poor souls who think they believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God, and yet they never enjoyed anything of the life and promises; they come in upon the heart to quicken, to revive you, to raise you from the sentence of death that is passed on you by the law. And through the faith that is wrought in your soul, by the operation of God's Holy Spirit, though once killed by the law or letter — you are made alive in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is presented to your soul in the promises.
Third. Do you in deed and in truth believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God? Then the things contained in them, especially the things of the gospel, are very excellent to your soul; as the birth of Christ, the death,
resurrection, intercession, and second coming. O how precious and excellent are they to your soul — insomuch that you regard nothing in comparison of them! O! it is Christ's birth, death, blood, resurrection, etc., according to the Scriptures, that you do rejoice in exceedingly, and abundantly desire after! 'Whom having not seen, you love; in whom you now you see him not — yet believing you rejoice, with joy unspeakable, and full of glory' (1 Cor 15:1-6, compared with Phil 3:6-8; 1 Peter 1:8).
Fourth. Do you believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God? Then you stand in awe of, and do much reverence them. Why, they are the Word of God, the true sayings of God; they are the counsel of God; they are his promises and his threatenings. Poor souls are apt to think, if I could hear God speak to me from Heaven with an audible voice, then surely I should be serious and believe it. But truly, if God should speak to you from Heaven, except you were converted, you would not regard, nor really believe him. But if you do believe the Scriptures, you see that they are the truth as really as if God should speak to you from Heaven through the clouds. Therefore never flatter yourself, foolishly thinking, that if it were so and so, then you could believe. I tell you, says Christ, If they believe 'not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe though one should rise from the dead!' But,
Fifth. Do you believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God? Then, through faith in Christ, you endeavor to have your life squared according to the Scriptures, both in word and practice. Nay, this I say, you may have, though you do not believe them all. My meaning is, that if you believe none but the ten commandments, your life may be, according to them, a legal holy life; and if you do believe the gospel too, then your life will be the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ; that is, either you will live in the blessed and holy enjoyment of what is testified in the Scripture concerning the glorious things of the Lord Jesus Christ, or else you will be exceedingly panting after them. For the Scriptures carry such a blessed beauty in them to that soul who has faith in the things contained in them, that they take the heart and captivate the soul of him who believes them — into the love and liking of them, believing all things that are written in the law and the prophets, and have hope towards God that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 'And herein do I
exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men' (Acts 24:14-16).
Sixth. He who believes the Scriptures to be the Word of God, if he does but suppose that any one place of Scripture excludes him, and shut him out of, and from a share in the promises contained in them — O it will trouble him, grieve him, perplex him! Yes, he will not be satisfied until he is resolved, and the contrary sealed to his soul; for he knows that the Scriptures are the word of God, all truth; and therefore he knows that if any one sentence excludes or bars him out for lack of this or the other qualification, he knows also that not the Word alone shuts him out — but he who speaks it, even God himself. And, therefore, he cannot, will not, dare not be contented until he find his soul and Scripture together, with the things contained therein, to embrace each other, and a sweet correspondence and agreement between them. To
him who believes the Scriptures aright — the promises, or threatenings, are of more power to comfort or cast down, than all the promises or threatenings of all the men in the world. And this was the cause why the martyrs of Jesus so slighted both the promises of their adversaries, when they would have overcome them, with offering the great things of this world unto them; and also their threatenings, when they told them they would rack them, hang them, burn them (Acts 20:24). None of these things could prevail upon them, or against them; because they most really believed the Scriptures, and the things contained in them, as is clearly found, and to be seen in Hebrews 11, and also in Mr. Fox's records of their martyred brethren.
Seventh. He who believes the Scriptures to be the Word of God, believes that men must be born again, and also be partakers of that faith which is of the operation of God, according as he has read and believed — or else he must and shall be damned. And he who believes this aright, will not be contented until, according as it is written, he partakes of and enjoys the new birth; and until he finds, through grace, that faith that is wrought by the operation of God in his soul.
For this is the cause why men satisfy themselves with so slender a conceited hope that their state is good, when it is nothing so, namely,
because they do not credit the Scripture; for did they, they would look into their own hearts, and examine seriously whether that faith, that hope, that grace which they think they have, be of that nature, and wrought by that spirit and power that the Scripture speaks of. I speak this of an effectual believing, without which all other is nothing unto salvation.
Five Uses by Way of Self-examination.
Now then, because I would not be too tedious, I shall at this time lay down no more marks of such a one as savingly believes the Scriptures, and the things contained in them — but shall speak a few words of examination concerning the things already mentioned. As,
First USE. You say you do in deed and in truth effectually believe the Scriptures: I ask, therefore — were you ever killed stark dead by the law of works contained in the Scriptures — killed by the law or letter, and made to see your sins against it, and left in a helpless condition by that law? For, as I said, the proper work of the law is to slay the soul, and to leave it dead in a helpless state. For it neither gives the soul any comfort itself when it comes, nor does it show the soul where comfort is to be had; and therefore it is called 'the ministration of condemnation,' as in 2 Corinthians 3:9, 'the ministration of death,' verse 7. For though men may have a notion of the blessed Word of God — yet before they be converted, it may truly be said of them, You are in error, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God (Mark 12:24).
Second USE. You say you do believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God. I say again, Examine, were you ever quickened from a dead state by the power of the Spirit of Christ; that is to say, by the power of God in his Son Jesus Christ, through the covenant of promise? I tell you from the Lord, if you have — then you have felt such a quickening power in the words of Christ (John 6) that you have been lifted out of that dead condition that you before were in. And that when you were under the guilt of sin, the curse of the law, and the power of the devil, and the justice of the great God — you have been enabled, by the power of God in Christ, revealed to you by the Spirit through and by the Scripture — to look sin, death, Hell, the devil, and the law, and all things that are at