II. These are ordinary means, according to the order established by the supreme Ruler, who knows what's best for those under his Government, in opposition to extraordinary, which seldom happen, upon some singular work of Judgment or Mercy to a Person or People. 'Tis true, the most Sovereign Agent, who is most free, he may if he pleaseth, without means, by an immediate Impression of Light and infusion of Grace work on the Soul, as he did on the Apostles and Paul8; but generally and for the most part God revealeth himself mediately, by the ordinary means he hath settled to abide in his Church to the end, there being an aptness and fitness in them under Divine Influence for converting the Soul9, when Ambassadors come in Christs stead, beseeching men to be reconciled to God10, having a promise of his Presence with them to the end of the World11, in communicating of the mind of God, by writing, or speaking; reading, or interpreting; exhorting, and directing12; every way preaching for the begetting of Faith13, when the advice of Gregory Nazianzen is observed, namely, [Greek or Hebrew], i. e. Pray and search; having prayed with David, Open thou mine eyes (or reveal14) that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. It concerns us to be much in meditating upon it15. Gregory (called the Great) gives an account of an illiterate man, who bought a Bible, hired one to read to him out of it, and thereby became a great Proficient in the School of Christianity. Luther ‖by reading of it was turned from Popery; so was John Hus by reading of our Wycliffe's Books, proving his Doctrine from it. We know Augustine was converted by taking it up, and reading*. And 'tis said, Cyprian, by reading the Prophet Jonah: As Junius, by the first Chapter of John's Gospel, tho' tis supposed neither of them then had much skill in the Originals, but were beholding to Translations. Thus we see how the Scripture is the means, and the ordinary means. The next thing in the explication is to show,
II. These are ordinary means, according to the order established by the supream Ruler, who knows what's best for those under his Government, in opposition to extraordinary, which seldom happen, upon some singular work of Judgment or Mercy to a Person or People. 'Tis true, the most Sovereign Agent, who is most free, he may if he pleaseth, without means, by an immediate Impression of Light and infusion of Grace work on the Soul, as he did on the Apostles and Paul8; but generally and for the most part God revealeth himself mediately, by the ordinary means he hath setled to abide in his Church to the end, there being an aptness and fitness in them under Divine Influence for converting the Soul9, when Embassadors come in Christs stead, beseeching men to be reconciled to God10, having a promise of his Presence with them to the end of the World11, in communicating of the mind of God, by writing, or speaking; reading, or interpreting; exhorting, and directing12; every way preaching for the begetting of Faith13, when the advice of Gregory Nazianzen is observ'd, namely, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, i. e. Pray and search; having pray'd with David, Open thou mine eyes (or reveal14) that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. It concerns us to be much in meditating upon it15. Gregory (called the Great) gives an account of an illiterate man, who bought a Bible, hired one to read to him out of it, and thereby became a great Proficient in the School of Christianity. Luther ‖by reading of it was turn'd from Popery; so was John Hus by reading of our Wickliff's Books, proving his Doctrin from it. We know Augustine was converted by taking it up, and reading*. And 'tis said, Cyprian, by reading the Prophet Jonas: As Junius, by the first Chapter of John's Gospel, tho' tis supposed neither of them then had much skill in the Originals, but were beholding to Translations. Thus we see how the Scripture is the means, and the ordinary means. The next thing in the explication is to shew,
- 8Acts 2.4. —9.1. &c. Gal. 1.12.
- 9Psal: 19.17.
- 102 Cor. 5.20.
- 11Mat. 28. ult.
- 122 Pet. 3.1. Acts 21.25. —4.20, 29. —15.21. —8.30, 35. 1 Cor. 12.30. Acts 15.32. 1 Thess. 2.11.
- 13Ro. 10.13, 15
- 14Psal. 119.18.
- 15— 1.2. John 5.39.
- ‖Melch. Adeon. in vita.
- *Confess. l. 8. ch. 8. § 2. Nicephor. p. 5. 27.
