CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Thirdly, We say it's Instrumental, therefore the Word of God preached,¹ is not the principal, or the efficient: No, though we have ten thousand Teachers, and they all like Angels, yet truth could never sanctify us, unless God give a blessing to it; and therefore you see here, Christ prayeth to God, that he would sanctify them by his truth, intimating, That though they understood it never so clearly, and remembered it never so firmly, yet if God bless it not to this sanctifying use, they are like a Rock under much rain, that never brings forth any fruit, and in three particulars we must necessarily acknowledge Gods efficiency.²

Thirdly, We say it's Instrumentall, therefore the Word of God preached,¹ is not the principall, or the efficient: No, though we have ten thousand Teachers, and they all like Angels, yet truth could never sanctifie us, unlesse God give a blessing to it; and therefore you see here, Christ prayeth to God, that he would sanctifie them by his truth, intimating, That though they understood it never so clearly, and remembred it never so firmly, yet if God blesse it not to this sanctifying use, they are like a Rock under much rain, that never brings forth any fruit, and in three particulars we must necessarily acknowledge Gods efficiency.²

1. 1The Word is not the principal or efficient, but the instrumental cause.
2. 2The necessity of Gods efficiency. Without Gods blessing men may by the Scriptures through interpretation be corrupted.

First, Though men be never so expert and diligent in the Scripture, yet if God bless them not with a seeing eye, and a spiritual understanding, in stead of being sanctified by the Word, they are through mis-interpretations corrupted: Doth not the Apostle Peter tell of some, who through their ignorance did wrest the Scripture to their perdition,