IN this Chapter ob­serue the preparation to Christs Ministery; the execution thereof; and the confirmation of the truth taught, by Myracles [Page 2] done, wheresoeuer hee became.

The preparation was by a fierce and violent temptation with which he was assaulted, as it may appeare to such as read the Chapter to the 14 verse: the execution of his Mi­nistery may be seene from thence to the 33. and the miracles hee did in the remainder of this Chapter, to the end thereof.

These words of the Euangelist which I haue read, doe concerne the execution of his glorious Mini­stery; in which consider:

1. The Country where he began to preach, Galile, his owne Country where hee had least esteeme, Verse 14.24.

2. Next, the places in that Country, the two chiefe Townes, Nazareth & Capernaum, vers. 16.31.

3. Also in those Cities, what place he made choise of, not priuate [Page 3] houses, as Conuenticlers, nor the streetes, as fanaticall persons are ac­customed, but the chiefe place of concourse, to those excellent ends, the Synagogues, Verse 16.28.

4. Adde hereunto, the Time when: euen that set time which the Law enioyned, on which the people vsually met, on the Sabbaoth dayes, hee most vsually preached, Verse 16.31.

5. Besides these, wee haue the manner of his Preaching: He stood vp for to read, and hauing receiued the Booke, and read what hee would, he closed it, deliuered it to the Minister, and sate downe and Preached, Verse 16.17.20.

6. Moreouer, the matter of his Sermon was an explication of the Prophecie of Isaiah, with an appli­cation to the present times, Verse 18.21.

[Page 4]7. Lastly, the effects that follow­ed vpon his Preaching, to take them in the same order (the Euangelist layes them downe) are these and such like:

1. Divulgation. There went a fame of him throughout all the re­gion round about, Verse 14.

2. Glorification. He was glorified of all, Verse 15.

3. Attention. The eyes of all were fastened vpon him, Verse 20.

4. Approbation. All bare him witnesse that his words were grati­ous, Verse 22.

5. Admiration. They all won­dered, at his so gracious words, Verse 22.

6. Indignation. There were of the chiefe of them filled with wrath, and rose vp and thrust him out of the City, and bringing him to the brow of the hill whereon the City was [Page 5] built, they would haue cast him downe headlong, but that passing through the midst of them, he went his way, Verse 28.29.30.

7. Stupefaction. They were asto­nished at his doctrine.

The reason of all these is contai­ned in the words which I haue cho­sen for my Text;

For his Word was with power.

As if the Euangelist should say in more words: you may thinke it strange that Preaching should pro­duce such effects; but if you consi­der the cause, you may be easily sa­tisfied: Seeing so great was the dif­ference betweene his Preaching and others of that time, that whereas they moued nothing at all, got no fame, wan no glory to their Mini­stery, procured neither approbati­on, admiration, nor so much as attention to the Word by their [Page 6] Preaching: seeing their Preaching was cold, without any life, as if one told a dreame: Hee became famous, glorious, and most admirable; hee spake with authority, & his Preach­ing was so liuely, and became so ef­fectuall to all, in one kinde or other, that hee vexed the very soules of wicked men that heard him; and a­stonished all that attended his Mi­nistery.

For his Word was with power.

In these words there may be ob­serued

• 1. The Connexion.
• 2. The Proposition.

The Connexion in the Causall (For,) which sheweth it to be the reason which the Euangelist giues of the manifold effects which Christs Preaching produced:

The Proposition it selfe is affirma­tiue, in which may be considered,

• [Page 7]1. The Subiect: His Word.
• 2. The Predicate: was with power.

To set vpon the Connexion or the Causall, and to consider these words with their relation to the for­mer part of the Chapter: this Do­ctrine will thence arise.

Doct. Where the word is powerfully Prea­ched, it is effectuall in one kinde or o­ther, to such as doe heare it. or, The word powerfully Preached, is effectuall to the hearers in one kinde or other. This truth needes no other footing then this of our Euangelist: He tels vs that the true cause of the spreading of Christs fame, and the high e­steeme hee procured in the hearts of some hearers, as also of the wrath and rage of others was this, he Preached with authoritie: His word was with power. So we may see also when the Lord Iesus had ended [Page 8] that Sermon on the Mount, the people were astonished at his Do­ctrine,Mat. 7.28.29. for his word was with power, and not as the Scribes.

This may be seene in the Prea­ching of all the Prophets, and Apo­stles; to instance in a few of them: Eliah, Iam. 5.17. a man subiect to the like passions as we are, what powerfull effects at­tended his Preaching? Witnesse his preuailing so farre to the conuiction of his hearers,1 King. 19.40. as that they obeyed his word in the slaughter of all the Pro­phets of Baal.

2 King.And Elizeus or Elisha became as it were guide of Kingdomes, by the power of this Word,Ion. 3. as his History shewes: yea, Ionas himselfe preuailed with great Niniueh, so farre as to bring the King, his Nobles, and all the City to true repentance.

That Voyce of a Cryer in the Wildernesse,Mat. 3. drew all to his Bap­tisme; [Page 9] yea, conuicted Souldiers,Luke 3. Publicans, and People, in great mul­titudes.

The Apostle Peter drew three thousand to the Church at one Ser­mon; and fiue thousand at another;Acts 1.41. & 4.3. and at another Sermon of his,Acts 5.21.35. the Senate were cut at the heart, by the power of his Word.

And Paul subdued whole Regi­ons to the Faith,Acts 13. & 14, &c. by his powerfull Preaching; and conuinced Gain­sayers of all sorts, to the enraging of some against his person.

Reason. 1 The reason is, because otherwise it could not appeare to be as it is, a powerfull Word;Rom. 1.16. it must lose its de­nomination, and cease to be a word of power:1 Cor. 1.18. whereas it is the power of God, to the saluation of the belee­uers, and the condemnation of vn­beleeuers.

Reason. 2 Adde this also, that it should else [Page 10] returne in vaine, and void of the chiefe end for which it was sent. Whereas we know, that as the raine commeth down, and the snow from Heauen, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud; that it may giue seed to the Sower, and bread to the Eater: so saith the Lord, shall my Word be, Isai. 55.10.11. that goeth forth out of my mouth, it shall not returne vnto mee void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it. And the holy A­postle Paul, tels vs plainely in the person of all holy Ministers:2 Cor. 2.15.16. We are vnto God a sweet sauour in Christ, in them that are saued, and in them that perish: to the one we are the sauour of death vnto death; and to the other, the sauour of life vnto life.

Reason. 3 Besides these, Antichrists ministe­ry produceth powerfull effects: [Page 11] therefore Christs Ministery must be farre more powerfu l,2 Thes 2.8.9. and produce more manifest effects where it is ex­ercised.

Reason. 4 Lastly, the maine or chiefe pra­ctise of preaching, is to wrestle and fight-with, yea, to ouercome all op­position, as it is expressed in the mis­sion of Ieremy, that powerfull Pro­phet, where God saith to him: See, Ier. 1.10. I haue set thee ouer the Nations, and o­uer the Kingdomes, to root out, and to pull downe, and to destroy, and throw downe, to build, and to plant.

Obiect. But some obiecting against this, may say: True it is, that all these may serue to proue that Preaching was powerfull in the dayes of the Pro­phets, Christ, and his Apostles, but what is that to our dayes? We may not looke for such power in Prea­ching.

Answere. And why not at this day, the like [Page 12] power in Preaching?

Isa. 59.1.Is Gods hand shortned? or his power weakened? Is not Iesus Christ the same yesterday, Heb. 13. [...]. to day, and for euer? Hath hee not promised to be with his Seruants in preaching to the end of the World?Mat. 28.20. and that with the assistance of all power in Hea­uen and in Earth? Is not the Holy Ghost the power of God,Luke 1.35. in Christs Ministers at this day? Doth not the Euangelist Iohn record a promise that is lasting,Ioh. 14.12. where it is written; Whosoeuer beleeueth on Christ Iesus, the workes that Christ did, shall such a beleeuer doe: yea, greater workes then those hee did in the dayes of his flesh? Is there not as much neede of like power in the preaching of the Word now, as there was then? yea, and more, seeing wee haue no miracles to confirme the Word? Haue we not Diuels, and [Page 13] damned Atheists to oppose, and contemne the Word at this day? Are there not such of whom it may be said, as of Elimas the Sorcerer; That they are full of all subtilty, Act. 13.10. and all mischiefe, children of the Diuell, enemies of all righteousnesse, which cease not to peruert the right wayes of God?

Are not Ministers at this day as Fathers to beget? Mothers to tra­uaile-with, and bring forth? Nurses to nourish? Watchmen to warne? Souldiers to fight for? and Stewards to giue euery man his portion of meate in due season? Yea, is not one Minister sometimes a Father, a Mo­ther, a Nurse, a Watchman, a Soul­dier, and a Steward at one and the same instant; and doth not all this require great power?

Are there not blinde men at this day that want sight? lame that want [Page 14] strength? Lepers that need clensing? sicke that want health? strayers that must be sought out? such as are fal­len, to be raised up? dumbe, deafe, and dead men, to be made to speak, heare, and come out of their graues? And doe not such workes require great power? If it were but to make a man that is dumbe, deafe, and blinde, to vnderstand, it were a mat­ter of great difficulty, and requires great power; but to raise vp a dead man, that hath long slept the sleepe of death, will any cold dreamer a­wake such a sleeper? No verily: It must be such whose Ministery is at­tended with power.

And that there is required won­derfull power at this day, consider further, that wee haue not onely dead men to raise, blinde men to make to see, wounded to heale, sicke to recouer, imprisoned to set free, [Page 15] strayers to seeke out, lambes to ten­der, sheepe to feede, babes to whom wee giue milke, and stronger to whom strong meate is belonging: but we haue Sorcerers to withstand, Beares and Lyons to combate with; Philistines to whom wee must goe, sonnes of Anake to conquer: yea, moreouer wee may haue Ahabs to speake vnto: Nebuchadnezzars to resist: Hamans to contend with: He­rods to reproue. We may haue Pha­raohs to march after vs: Zedekiahs to disgrace vs publikely: Sanballats to oppose, and mocke vs: Iudasses to betray vs: Demasses to forsake vs: Halting people to comber vs: Alexanders to withstand our words: Corahs to raise forces against vs: Scribes and Pharises to entrap vs: High Priests to scorne vs: Pilates to condemne vs: Multitudes to slander vs, and the truth we teach: And if [Page 16] it should so come to passe, as it hath befallen ourWicliffe. Husse. Luther. brethren, is not here still a worke of great power? should we shrinke in such straights? Adde hereunto that the Word is the same for euer: yea, the words of God are as nayles,Eccles. 12.11. which being well driuen, doe hold with power; as goades to prouoke and stirre vp:Hosea 6.5. axes to hew and square; as fire to burne and tor­ment:Ier. 23.29. as an hammer to breake the rockes; as arrowes that wound; a sword that diuides:Psal. 45.5. yea, a sharpe sword with two edges,Heb. 4.12. to diuide be­tweene the soule and the spirit, the ioynts and the marrow: And so the Word is at this day, quicke and powerfull.

So that you now see that obiecti­on answered: namely, it is affirmed; That Preaching is alwayes power­full, whether wee respect Gods power, vnchangeable: Christs [Page 17] promise, of the assistance of all po­wer in heauen and in earth; the powerfull worke of the Ministery, in respect of their charge, of the po­wer of the word it selfe, that cannot be abated: yea, that by how much the elder the world waxeth, and the riper in sinne, and by how much the more all miracles are granted to be now ceased, by so much the more power must of necessity ap­peare,2 Cor. 12. seeing Gods power is manifest in the greatest weakenesse: And where sinne most abounds, Gods grace in powerfull Preaching, aboundeth much more in such as are called.

Quest. Now some may demand what are the effects of powerfull Preach­ing, and how may they be discerned?

Answere. For answere hereunto: know, that the powerfull effects of Preaching are manifold: and they may be con­sidered,

• [Page 18]1. Either Generally:
• 2. Or Particularly.

If wee consider them Generally, they may be these, or such like:

1 Sprea­ding.1. First, a growing or spreading power: as may appeare by some similitudes to which it is compared, as that of Ezechiel, Ezech. 17. [...]2.23. where he expres­seth it by a tender twig, cut off from the high Cedar, and planted on an high and eminent mountaine, which bringeth forth boughes, and beares fruit, and becomes a goodly Cedar, that vnder it may dwell all fowle of euery wing, euen in the shadow of it.Mat. 13.30 31. Or that where the Lord Iesus compares it to a graine of Mustard-seede, which is the least of all seeds, and yet being sowen, groweth vp, and becommeth a tree.Act. 19.10. And it is expresly said of the Word, that it grew powerfully in the Apostles dayes:Verse 14. So in this Chapter, the same [Page 19] of Christs Preaching was spread a­broad, throughout all the Region round about.Col. 1.6. And the Apostle Paul tels vs, that it was in his time spread ouer all the world, and so you haue the growing, increasing, or sprea­ding power of the word.

Secondly,2 Draw­ing. the word powerfully Preached hath a drawing power. And it may be well said of power­full Preachers, they draw more after them with their tongues, then Her­cules could driue before him with his club: It will draw all men to it, we may see it, in the power and effi­cacie of Iohn Baptists word:Mat. 3.5.7. who knew nothing, but the Doctrine, and Baptisme of Repentance: Yet all the Regions flocked after him, and came to his Preaching. And when his Disciples told him that all men came to Christ, as they had formerly to him: he answereth, that [Page 20] a man can receiue nothing except it be giuen him from aboue: Ioh. 3.26. As if he should haue said: Christ hath this power of drawing men after him,Ioh. 12.32. from a­boue: and saith further, that the po­wer of Christ in that thing must in­crease, and his power decrease: and addeth yet further, that therein is his ioy fulfilled.Verse 42. And in this Chap­ter is this confirmed by that, when Christ went into a desart place, all the people were drawne thither al­so: yea, his word was so powerfull, that it drew them by multitudes,Ioh. 6.14 22.24.25. o­uer Sea, vnto him: so that they would haue made him a King, for the word hath a drawing power.

3 Search­ing.Thirdly, the Word powerfully preached, hath a searching power: it can enter into the discerning of the inward parts.Heb. 4.12.13. It discerneth the secret thoughts, and intents of the heart; All things are open and naked [Page 21] to the eyes of it. 1 Cor. 14.25. It findes out mens purposes, layes open their most se­cret intents, yea, reueales the very depths of Sathan: It can goe into heauen, and shew vs what treasures are therein store, it can dig into hell, and discouer the torments, prepa­red for impenitent and rebellious persons; and so you haue the search­ing power.

Fourthly,4 Deuiding it hath a deuiding po­wer: by which it seuers one thing from another. It pierceth euen to the deuiding asunder of the soule,Heb. 4.12. and the spirit, and the ioynts, and the marrow. See this also where the Lord saith in this regard: I am not come to send peace but a sword.Mat. 10.34 35. I am come to deuide betweene the Father, and the Sonne, the Daugh­ter, and the Mother: the Daughter in law, and the Mother in law. As it is expressed in so many words, by [Page 22] another Euangelist thus. Suppose yee that I am come to send peace on the earth. I tell you nay, but rather deuision:Luke 12.35 for from henceforth there shall be fiue, in one house, deuided, three against two, and two against three. The Father shall be deuided against the Sonne, and the Sonne a­gainst the Father, the Mother against the Daughter, and the Daughter a­gainst the Mother, the Mother in law, against her Daughter in law, and the Daughter in law against her Mother in law. Yea, this word de­uides between cleane and vncleane; holy and prophane; such as sweare, and such as feare an oath; betweene righteousnesse, and vnrighteous­nesse; light, and darkenesse: true worship and Idolatry; betweene Christ and Antichrist. So that the word hath a deuiding power.

To these may be added, the pre­uailing [Page 23] power of the word,5 Preuai­ling. in that it beareth downe all opposition. It will roote out, and throw downe; destroy and consume: it will build, and plant. It will cast out foule spi­rits, and conuict Coniurers, and make them bring forth their Bookes of curious arts, and burne them euen to the value of many thousand pieces of siluer.Act. 19.19.20. So mightily will it grow, and preuaile where it is true­ly taught.

Vse. 1 By these then, before we goe fur­ther, euen by these generall powers or effects of the word, may Mini­sters examine the truth of their Mi­nistery; euen at this day: Doth the word in thy mouth spreade it selfe into all the borders of the congrega­tion? doth it enforce people, at least to talke of thee by the walles? doth it draw them to Church, and gaine attention from them? Dost thou [Page 24] perceiue that it searcheth their hearts, and layeth open their secret practises, or doth it set them at ods, and make a separation between the godly, and vngodly; the righteous, and the wicked; the religious, and prophane? and doth it preuaile mightily, in the restraining of the re­bellious, and reforming the disorder­ly? Dost thou finde all these, or a­ny of these? then maist thou con­clude with comfort, that Gods po­wer doth attend thy preaching: and such people as see these effects, may say that God is present in such Prea­chers, of a truth.

Vse. 2 By this such are iustly reprehen­ded, as doe stumble at these, and such like of all other Preaching, they like that worst, which spreads it selfe a­broad; drawes people after it, gaines attention, searcheth out the very secret thoughts of the heart, and [Page 25] makes a separation where it comes; preuailing mightily in the conui­cting of some, the conuerting of o­thers, the comforting of the godly, the discouery of the hypocrite, and prophane person. They cry downe such Preachers, and set themselues against such Preaching with all their power: but this will appeare more plainely, when we come to the par­ticular powers of the Word.

Vse. 3 Let this then stirre vp all Gods people to thankfulnesse, where such a powerfull Ministery is enioyed. Doe you perceiue that your Mini­sters same is spread farre and neere? doe the people of his Parish come to him, and flocke to his Ministery? Doe you find that his word comes home, and entreth into your bo­somes, diueth into your hearts and consciences, discouereth all your se­cret practises, and preuaileth more [Page 26] and more in these things? breake forth into the praises of God, and returne due thankes to his Maiesty, for his great mercy, in affording such a Ministery, as hath so power­full effects: Such a Ministery is vn­doubtedly of God. For Christs Word is with power.

To come more particularly to shew the powers of the Word; we may consider it, as it is common both to the Elect and reprobate, and as it may be peculiar to either of them.

The common powers which worke both in the Elect, and repro­bate, are these:

1 Conuin­cing.First, a conuincing power; when men are not onely made to see a dif­ference betweene truth and errour: but also conuicted in their consci­ences, that truth is truth, and error is error. This power in preaching, [Page 27] hath footing on a direct promise, to all such as preach by the holy Spirit.Ioh. 16.8. They shall conuince the World of sinne, of righteousnesse, and of iudgement.Acts 18.28 So Apollos a man mighty in the holy Scriptures, did powerfully preuaile to the conuicti­on of the gaine-saying Iewes; and that publikely shewing them that Iesus was Christ. So it is written;1 Cor. 14.24. That if all Prophesie, that is, speake the Word plainely with power: If an vnlearned man, or an vnbeleeuer be present, he is conuinced by such powerfull preaching.

Secondly, powerfull preaching,2 Terrify­ing. hath a terrifying power. As when Herod heard onely of the birth of Christ, he was terrified,Mat. 2.1.2. and all Hie­rusalem with him.Acts 24.25 And wicked Foe­lix hearing a powerfull Preacher onely reason in his presence of righ­teousnesse, temperance, and iudge­ment [Page 28] to come; he trembled. And to such hath God respect,Isai 66.1. especially as tremble at his Word: so that the word powerfully preached, workes trembling in both Elect, and repro­bate.Hab. 3.16. For so Habacuck saith; I heard, and my belly trembled, my lippes quiuered at the voyce, and yet hee was an holy Prophet: and Moses himselfe at the promulgation of the Law,Heb. 11.21. was constrained to say; I ex­ceedingly feare, and quake.

3 Hum­bling.Thirdly, the Word powerfully preached, hath an humbling power, both in elect and reprobate: as wee perceiue in that place before allea­ged, for the conuicting power, that such vnlearned and vnbeleeuing as heare such preaching, fall downe on their faces, and worship God, and acknowledge that God is present in such Preachers of a truth. And such power was in Christs preaching in [Page 29] dayes of his flesh,Mat. 8.29. Mat. 1.24. that it humbled many, euen Diuels, and wicked per­sons, as well as others: that they came running, and kneeling downe,Mar. 10.17.18. yea, falling downe and confessing, that he was the Sonne of God, and a good man.1 King. 21.24. Ahab also humbled himselfe for a little season: And Cain was humbled by the power of this word, though Ahab too little,Gen. 4.14. and Caine ouer-much.

Fourthly,4 Restray­ning. the word powerfully Preached, hath a restrayning power. It keepes the reprobate as the elect from breaking out into foule enor­mities, & doth restrayne them from grosse sinnes, as in the presence of Moses, Exo. 32.1.2.3 the people were restrayned from Idolatrie: which in his ab­sence, they committed with an high hand. And wee reade of a King of Iudah, euen Ioash, 2 Chro. 24.2. whole heart was not right, yet did hee that which [Page 30] was right in Gods fight, all the daies of Iehoiada the Priest. And experi­ence doth teach vs, that where the word is most zealously pressed, and powerfully vrged, such places are farre more free from open impie­ties, then other places where it is not so.

5 Refor­ming. Ioh. 6.66.Furthermore, the word hath a reforming power; in both elect, and reprobates. As may appeare in those beleeuers, that went backe from Christ: and especially of Herod, that wicked man, of whom we read, that he feared Iohn the Baptist,Mar. 6.20. knowing that he was a iust, and an holy man, and obserued him, and when hee heard, hee did many things, and heard him gladly.

6 Astoni­shing.Adde to these, that the word hath an astonishing power: by which it stupifies, and doth amaze, as well the reprobate, as the elect: as wee [Page 31] see in Simon Magus, Act. 13.8. of whom wee reade that hee beleeued, and when he was baptized, continued with Philip, and wondered. And we reade also of the Preaching of Christ, that the hearers were astonished at his doctrine,Mark. 2.21 22. for hee taught as one that had power, and not as the Scribes.

Also the word powerfully Prea­ched, is delightfull, 7 Delight­ing. as well to the wicked, as the godly: that it is de­lightfull to the godly, is without question, it is the very ioy and reioy­cing of their hearts:Ier. 15.16. Psal. 19.10. Ezech. 33.32. sweeter to them then hony, and the hony-combe; but to the very wicked, Ezechiel tels vs, that such whose hearts doe still goe after their couetousnesse, yet his word was as pleasant to them as a louely song, of one that hath a pleasant voyce, and can play well on an instrument.Mar. 6.20. And of He­rod wee reade that hee heard Iohn [Page 32] gladly:Mat. 13.10.21. Also we see it in that Para­ble of the stony ground; the appli­cation whereof is to reprobate hea­rers, that yet receiue the word with ioy.

Vse. By these common powers of the word, we may perceiue how farre reprobates may goe in hearing, and what effects it worketh, euen in the damned, as in the saued: they may be conuicted, terrified, humbled in some measure, restrained, reformed, and delighted by the power of the word: so that such as can goe no further, haue not set one foote in conuersion beyond a very repro­bate: How manifestly wretched then are all such as neuer yet felt these powers in themselues, but that these may also be seene, let vs come to the peculiar powers of the word, in elect and reprobate.

And first of the powers of the [Page 33] word Preached in the reprobate hearer, and they are either sencible,Insencible or insencible:

The insencible powers of the word Preached, in reprobates, is:1 Hardning that hardening power of the word, whereby their hearts are hardened, and their very consciences seared,1 Tim. 4.2. as with an hot Iron: that whereas they had at first hearing, some sence, they become by often conuiction, alto­gether sencelesse: Of this power,Isa. 6.9.10. God speaketh to Isaiah, whose mis­sion seemeth to be chiefly to that end, as it appeareth where we reade it written, that God saith vnto him, goe tell this people, heare yee indeed, but vnderstand not: and see yee in­deed, but perceiue not? Make the heart of this people fat; and make their eares heauy, and shut their eyes. This the holy Apostle Paul ap­plyeth to the vnbeleeuing Iewes, [Page 34] where he saith; Well spake the holy Ghost,Act. 28.25:26.27. by Esayas the Prophet, vnto our Fathers, saying, Goe vnto this people and say; hearing you shall heare, and shall not vnderstand; and seeing, you shall see; and shall not perceiue: For the heart of this peo­ple is waxed grosse.Eph. 4.19. And the same Paul tels vs of some that are past fee­ling.

2 Destroy­ing.Another power of the word, which is also insencible, may be that destroying power: whereby the wic­ked are not onely more and more hardened, but haue all the faculties of the soule peruerted, and by de­grees destroyed.2 Cor. 2.16 And that the word hath such a destroying power, ap­peareth where it is called, the sauour of death vnto death.Ier. 1.10. And Ieremies mission gaue him power to destroy and throw downe, as well as to build and plant. And the Apostle [Page 35] Paul tels the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 10.8 & 13.10. or the elect at Corinth, that hee vsed his power toward them to edification, and not to destruction: so that the word Preached, hath a destroying power.

The sencible powers of the word,Sencible. in the very reprobate are either that tormenting power, or else that bind­ing power.

And that such a scorching or tor­menting,1 Scorch­ing. or cutting power of the word, is sencibly apprehended by reprobates, we may perceiue in A­hab, who in that respect,1 King. 18.17. & 21.20. & 22.8. called Eliah the troubler of Israel, and hated Mi­caiah, another powerfull Preacher, for that hee vexed or tormented him, neuer Preaching good vnto him, but euill. And in Foelix, who was so vexed by Pauls reasoning,Act. 24.25. that hee sent him away And the Iewes who being conuicted,Act. 7.54.57. were cut at the heart by the Preaching [Page 36] of Steuen, and gnashed vpon him with their teeth: and stopping their eares, ranne vpon him, as they did on his Master, as hath beene shew­ed out of this Chapter:Verse 28.29. And there­fore it is compared to fire which scorcheth men with great heate, and causeth them to discouer them­selues by blasphemies.Reu. 16.8.9.

2 Binding.Another sencible power of the Word, is that binding power, by which wicked reprobates doe see themselues bound hand and foote,Mat. 22.13. and cast out of the Church, and Gods protection; that is, doe per­ceiue that they are seuered from the godly, and shut out of the inheri­tance of the Saints in light: and doe also perceiue that they haue no po­wer any more to moue a foote to­wards that way, or an hand to that excellent worke. And this is done by the power of the holy spirit inIoh. 20.23. [Page 37] the word Preached.

Vse. By this we learne, not to thinke it strange though some hearers waxe worse & worse, & become more hard­hearted, and lesse sencible, either of mercies or iudgements, euen where the word is powerfully Preached;2 Thes. 2.8. yea, become not onely benummed, that they euen fall asleepe ordinari­ly at the Preaching of the same; but also (to such as vnderstand) become apparantly more ignorant and sot­tish, more peruerse, and peeuish: yea, are euen consumed as it were to nothing by the Preaching thereof; that whereas they haue seemed to be pleased with a Sermon, and haue done some things gladly, and sor­borne other things which the word forbids: yea, beene much humbled with a kinde of trembling, and asto­nishment at the conuiction of their consciences, now they are not [Page 38] stirred at all, nor delighted, nor yet at all doe admire it, but count it as a common thing, and by how much the more powerfull it is, by so much lesse doe they regard it: yea, by so much more neglect it, & contemne it. Nor yet may wee wonder that they are filled with wrath, and rage at the Preachers of it: seeing they doe plainely see themselues sencibly bound, as it were hand and foote, and cast out amongst dogges, and swine: and also continually scorch­ed, and vexed by the heate, and fer­uency of such powerfull preaching. No wonder then if they cry downe such Preaching, and get to them­selues heapes of teachers,2 Tim. 4.3.4. that if one pricke, another may please: You haue seene clearely, such are the po­wers of the word truely taught, that it tormenteth, bindeth, hardneth; yea, destroyeth and consumeth the [Page 39] very reprobates: and there is no o­ther effect to be looked for in any such, but these, to be trembled at in the naming of them.

Come wee now to the powers of the word Preached, in the very E­lect, those that are peculiar to them in a speciall manner; and let vs take them either as they are manifested in their conuersion, or confirma­tion.

And first in their conuerting: Conuer­ting po­wer. and they are either that opening, prick­ing, brusing, or that turning power of the word: and first of that ope­ning power.

First,1 Opening. the word hath an opening power, whereby it doth not onely open the eyes of the Elect, as it may of the reprobate,Numb. 24.16. as Balaams eyes were opened: but in a more cleare manner,Reuel. 3.18. are they made to see the mysteries of godlinesse, then any [Page 40] reprobate, and to this end their hearts are opened with Lidia, Act. 16.14. that they not onely vnderstand, but af­fect what they vnderstand: and in this sence it may be called the key of Dauid, Reu. 3.7. that openeth, and no man shutteth: that is, that so openeth that it can neuer be shut or closed any more;Mat. 13.11. and this is proper to the Elect.

2 Pricking.Secondly, the word Preached, hath a pricking power: by which it doth not onely somewhat trouble, but throughly wound the very heart of Gods people,Act. 1.37. as were those Conuerts to whom Peter Preached, they were pricked in their hearts: therefore is it in this respect, compa­red euen to sharpe arrowes,Psal. 45.5. as hath beene shewed; it pierceth into the very soules of poore sinners, and makes them sencible of their trans­gression,Heb. 4.12. and this is also proper [Page 41] to the Elect.

Thirdly,3 Bruising. the Word powerfully preached, hath the power of brui­sing, yea, of breaking to pieces the very Elect, as Ieremiah tels vs,Ier. 23.29. where hee compares it to an hammer, that breaketh rockes. So it breaketh their hard and stony hearts, and maketh them not onely seeme nothing in their owne eyes, but also maketh them the more capable of the new worke of regeneration,Ezech. 11.19. as Ezechiel speakes, where God saith by him; I will take out your stony hearts, and giue you hearts of flesh.

This is that renting of the heart, which God requireth:Ioel 2.13. and that bro­ken heart, that he will not despise.Psal. 51.17

Lastly, the Word preached,1 Turning. hath also a turning power, by which it changeth mens mindes, and also al­tereth their affections. So it was said of Iohn the Baptist, that hee should [Page 42] goe before Christ,Luke 1.17. in the Spirit, and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the Fathers to the Children, and the disobedient to the wisdome of the iust.Psal. 19.7.1 So we reade, that it is one property of the Doctrine of God, to conuert the soule. And this power, the holy Apostle Paul speakes of to the Thessalonians, where he saith;1 Thes. 1.5.9. Our Gospell came not vn­to you in word onely, but also in power: in that it turned them from Idols to serue the liuing and true God. And this was the end of his sending,Acts 26.18 not onely to open mens eyes, but to turne them from darke­nesse to light, from the power of Sa­than to God: And so you haue the opening, pricking, bruising, and tur­ning power of the Word, which ap­pertaine to the conuerting of the Elect, and so may be said to be pro­per to them onely.

Vse. 1 If this be so, that such powers of the Word are in the Elect onely, then hereby such as are desirous to know their election to be of God, may try themselues by these: Hath the Word preached opened thine eyes? yea, thine heart? and hast thou felt a pricking power in thy soule, for sinne? hath thine heart been, not onely pricked, but bruised? yea, bro­ken so, that thou art come to a selfe­deniall? yea, to find thy selfe no­thing? and art thou turned, and al­together changed, by the power of Preaching? Canst thou truly say; thou seest, and vnderstandest the mi­sery of thy sinfull nature? and art grieued at the heart for sinne? and doest finde, that by sinne thou art euen become of no account, and that deseruedly with God? and dost thou finde thy heart quite turned, by a detestation of thy former euill [Page 44] way, and a vehement care of draw­ing neere to God, and being recon­ciled to his Maiesty? by these thou mayest bee able to conclude with comfort, that thou art in the true way to eternall life, and without doubt ordained to euerlasting hap­pinesse. And that thou mayest be yet further assured, we will proceede to the power of the Word, in con­firming such as are thus turned to God.

Confir­ming power.The same Word that thus con­uerteth, doth also confirme the con­uerted; and that by these powerfull effects which follow.

1 Healing.First, the Word as it woundeth, so it healeth; it hath an healing power,Psal. 107.20. as the Psalmist witnesseth, where we reade of such as are spiri­tually sicke with the conscience of sinne; God sent his Word, and hea­led [Page 45] them. And Christ proclaimeth it in this Chapter, that his Word hath an healing power; where ap­plying the Prophesie of Esayas to himselfe, he saith;Ver. 18.23. Isa 61.6. He is sent to heale the broken in heart: which the Pro­phet calles binde vp. So that the Word powerfully preached, is that good Samaritan,Luke 10. [...] 30. which bindes vp the wounds of that sin-wounded Traueller; and the onely Balme of Gilead, that healing medicine, wher­by health is restored to the sicke soule.

Vse. 1 Let Gods people learne hence, where to haue recourse for health: The Word is onely able to wound and heale; here are the leaues of that Tree to be gathered, which serue for the healing of the Nations.Reu. 12.2. If any be then wounded by the Word, let not that driue them from it, but ra­ther draw them to it; if euer they [Page 46] will haue health, here, and no where else may they expect it; and it may be an argument of the truth of ele­ction, if the Word haue healed, as well as wounded thee: or if at least thou seeke health at the Word preached.

2 Loosing.Secondly, the Word hath also the power of losing, or setting free, such as are turned to God; that whereas before they haue liued in thraldome and bondage, now are they parta­kers of the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God:Luke 13.12.16. yea, neuer did Christs word more manifestly free that daughter of Abraham, (whom Satan had bound eighteene yeeres, that shee could not lift vp her selfe) from that diuellish bond; then such as are Gods, are free, and set at liber­ty by the word preached, to runne the wayes of Gods Commande­ments.Isa 61.1. Wee may see it in that Pro­phesie [Page 47] of Esayas, which our Sauiour applyeth to this end,Verse 18. in this Chap­ter; where we reade, that he is sent to preach deliuerance to the cap­tiues, and to set at liberty such as are bruised: yea, to preach the yeere of Iubilee,Verse 19. or the acceptable yeere of the Lord. So is this power promised to all faithfull Preachers, in these words;Mat. 16.19 & 18.18. Whatsoeuer you loose on earth, shal be loosed in heauen: And whosoeuers sinnes you remit,Ioh. 20.23. they are remitted. Th s our Lord also at another time affirmed, where hee saith; If you continue in my Word, then are you my Disciples indeed:Ioh 8.31.32. and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Vse. By this all may be able further to bee confirmed in the truth of their election; if they hauing beene by Nature sinnes vassals,Ioh. 8.33.34. and in bondage thereunto, led captiue by [Page 48] the Diuell at his owne will, and by the vertue and powerfull efficacy of the Word, are now losed, and set at liberty, not onely to stand vp­right, but to walke, and to run the wayes of Gods Commandements. Try thy selfe then,2 Cor. 3.17. art thou such a free man? Where the Spirit is, there is this liberty, saith the Apostle Paul. Art thou then set at liberty? by what publike Sermon, or Sermons? or by what priuate application of the promises to thy soule? when, or since what time hast thou perceiued the striking off of thy chaines, the ope­ning of the prison doore, and yron gate of thy sinnes, that thou migh­test be admitted to the fellowship of the Saints? The Word powerful­ly preached, doth heale, as well as wound; and loose the Elect, as binde the reprobate. And so much also for the power of loosing, which is also [Page 49] proper to Gods chosen people.

Thirdly,3 Heating. the word powerfully Preached doth warme, yea, heate the cold hearts of poore humbled sinners, and in this sence it is compa­red to fire, as Dauid speakes of it,Psal. 39.3. where hee saith, His heart was hot within him, and while hee was mu­sing how to be silent (in the pre­sence of the wicked) the fire bur­ned.Ier. [...]0.9. And Ieremy resoluing also vp­on silence, tels vs that this word was in his heart as a burning fire, shut vp in his bones: insomuch that he was weary with forbearing, and could not stay: And the Disciples that had Christs company in their way to Emaus, say of his conference: Did not our hearts burne within vs while he talked with vs by the way?Luke 24.32. and this is that which the spirit findeth absent in that Church of Laodicea. Reuel. 3.15.19 Where it wisheth that they [Page 50] were either hot or cold: and com­mands them to be zealous, that is, to be hot and feruent.

Vse. By this also may wee be further confirmed in the truth of our Ele­ction; if the word hath warmed, or doth heate vs:Eph. 2.1. We are cold all by nature, as being dead in sinnes and trespasses: and so benummed with cold, and euen frozen in the dirt of wickednesse, if this word haue thawed vs, and so also warmed our hearts, and doth still heate vs, that we can feelingly say, we are heated; yea, our hearts burne within vs, in prayer, holy conference, and in the Preaching of the word: and that the heate of it is so great, that it euen wasteth vs in the loue of God, zeale for his glory, and the loue of Gods Church, and of all men; yea, so great is this heate, that the many waters of discouragements,Cant. 8.6.7 nor [Page 51] flouds of opposition; yea, our owne rash resolutions cannot quench it. but it flasheth out now and then, and will not be extinguished: this is a notable confirmation of the ex­cellency of our estate, and that wee are vndoubtedly Gods Elect and chosen ones, seeing this is a power peculiar and properly belonging vnto them.

Fourthly,4 Comfor­ting. the word powerfully Preached, hath a comforting power, in Gods Elect. It is their comforter in all their troubles: this is that which wipeth all teares from their eyes: and by which they are dandled vpon the knees of Gods loue.Isai. 66.11.12. Psal. 19.8. So wee reade, that the Statutes of the Lord are right, reioycing the heart; yea, this word to Ieremy, Ier. 15.16. Psal. 119.14. [...]0 was his onely ioy. It was Dauids comfort in affliction: yea, hee reioyced as much in Gods word, as in all man­ner [Page 52] of riches: It was sweeter to his mouth then hony, and the hony­combe.

Vse. This comfort of the word may be also a notable meanes of confirma­tion to such as are turned to God. Let mee say vnto such, what is it that delights you? Is it the free pro­mises of the Gospell? doth the word not onely ioy you in the hearing, and in time of prosperitie? but al­so cheare you in suffering, and in the greatest trouble and aduersity? Is it the word which as a Mother doth dandle thee, as a childe on the knees of sound comfort, and wipe away all teares from thine eyes? be assured that thou art also one of Gods Elect, a redeemed one: If his powerfull word that hath made thee truely sorrowfull, doth also re­store sound comforts vnto thee.

Besides these, the powerfull word [Page 53] doth also discouer its power in Gods Elect by killing them;5 Killing. yea, striking them vnder the fifth rib of their sinnes. The word will strike the man of sinne through the fore­head, as Dauid smote Goliah with a stone from his sling: yea, it will make sinne fall groueling to the earth, and cut off the very head of it. It will cut it at the heart, and naile it to the very Crosse of Christ:Gal. 5.24. as it is written; They that are Christs, haue crucified the flesh with the af­fections and lusts.Col. 3.3.4. It mortifies such as are Gods Elect in that manner, that they can say, They are dead,Gal. 2.19.20 and, I liue no more. They that were dead in sinne, are dead to sinne by the power of this word where it is effectually Preached to the Elect.

Vse. Try wee our selues also by this, doe we finde the word so powerful­ly preuailing, that it hath slaine vs, [Page 54] and crucified our flesh with the af­fections and lusts?1 Ioh. 3.8. hath it destroy­ed the strong holds of sinne, and all the workes of the Diuell in vs? hath it bound the strong man and cast him out? and doth it daily, and e­uery time wee heare,Luke 11. mortifie the deedes of the flesh, our earthly members?Col. 3.4. by this we may also con­clude, that it is profitable to vs; and that we are Gods Elect, by this po­wer which is peculiar to Gods peo­ple.

6 Quick­ning.Adde to these, that quickning po­wer of the word Preached, whereby it doth reuiue, and put not onely heate,Ioh. 5.24.25. but life into such as heare it. Of this speaketh the Lord of life, where he saith;Isai. 55.3. The dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God, and such as heare shall liue. And the Pro­phet Esayas, Heare, and your soules shall liue. And how were the [Page 55] Ephesians quickened?Eph. 2.1. & 1.13. who before were dead in trespasses and sinnes: but by the Preaching of the Gos­pell, this powerfull word?

Vse. How farre off then are such from any assurance of their election to be of God, who know not what be­longs to this life? They are sencible of the life of the body, but this life, it is to them a strange thing, this word, The iust shall liue by faith; is a Mystery of Mysteries, a darke and obscure riddle: and therefore it may much confirme, and adde to the comfort of Gods people, when they can truely say, that they now liue; it is by the faith of the Sonne of God, who loued them, and gaue himselfe for them. Art thou now quickned? since when hast thou felt this reuiuing? Thou wert once dead▪ If thou beest now aliue, thou maist be bolde to conclude, that [Page 56] thou art ordained to life; seeing thou hast the beginnings of it already; and so much also for the power of quickening.

7 RenewingLast of all, the Word hath a re­newing power: It doth not onely heale, loose, reuiue, heate, and com­fort the soules of the Elect, but they are renewed by it; their health, free­dome, life, heate, and comforts, are increased daily more and more, they goe on from strength to strength,Psal. [...]4.7. and are daily renewed in the image of their mindes: they renew their strength,Isa 40.31. as the Eagles; they are dai­ly edified,2 Cor. 13.10. and built vp in their most holy faith. And this is done by their purging,Iude verse 20 through the washing of wa­ter by the Word, and by the whol­some cloathing,1 Pet. [...]. [...]. and feeding, the word affoords. What shall I more say? the time would faile me, to speak of all the powers of the word.

Vse. If the Word hath this renewing power? by this also may Gods peo­ple try, and examine themselues; doth the Word preached renew thy strength? is it by that thou encrea­sest in holinesse and righteousnesse? dost thou finde a growth, and going on? yea, an ability to runne without wearinesse, and to walke without fainting? This may be to thy soule an euident signe, that thou art or­dained to eternall life.

Applica∣tion. You see that the Word power­fully preached, is effectuall in one kinde or other, to such as beare it; and you haue also heard the power­full effects of the same, of both kindes, in the Elect and reprobate. Know then for conclusion, that if we that are Preachers, perceiue not the manifest effects of the powerfull Word in your conuersion, and con­firmation; [Page 58] you are in danger to feele its power, to your destruction and condemnation: It will be either the sauour of life, or of death, to all that heare it. Labour then to let it haue its effect, in the sauing of your soules: suffer the words of exhorta­tion, though they pricke, and wound, and kill, and worke sorrow in your soules; yet they will heale, and reuiue, and glad the hearts of all that submit thereunto: yea, this is that meanes which God hath left, as the chiefe meanes, for the sauing of such as are ordained to life, the word shall be powerfull to conuert, and establish, and build them all vp in their most holy Faith; yea, to pre­sent them blamelesse before the presence of Gods glory with excee­ding ioy.

Beware then of contending a­gainst it: It is hard kicking against [Page 59] the prickes, dangerous stumbling at this stone, fearefull falling on this rocke; Men may rage at, and perse­cute such powerfull Preachers,Reu. 11.5 [...] but the word in their mouthes, is like fire,Ier. 5.14. to consume all that dare touch them for hurt. Now therefore con­temne it not, lest your hearts be har­dened, and your consciences seared, by the power thereof; lest you be more & more tormented by it, and at length bound hand and foot, and deliuered ouer to Satan: yea, cast into vtter darkenesse, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I desire to vse that power I haue receiued to your conuersion, and edification, and not to destruction. Let the Word then pricke you, that it may promote you; let it launce you, that it may loose you; let it kill you, that it may quicken you; let it bruise you, that it may binde you [Page 60] vp; let it terrifie you, that it may turne you from all impiety; let it worke sencibly vpon you for your sauing, that it worke not insencibly for your damning. Which GOD grant, and for which I will bow my knees, vnto that most powerfull God, that hee will grant you accor­ding to the riches of his grace, the power of turning from darknesse to light, and from the power of Satan to himselfe, that you may receiue the forgiuenesse of sinnes, and inhe­ritance amongst them that are san­ctified, by faith in Christ Iesus; and that all such as are already transla­ted from death to life, and from the power of darknesse, into the King­dome of Christ Iesus, may be daily built vp, and be more and more re­newed, in the image of their mindes, and become more con­formable [Page 61] to Christ their glory: and that euen for Iesus Christs sake. Amen.

Let vs now returne thankes to our God, and pray for a blessing vp­on what we haue heard, &c.