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

Again, If the word of God did convert and sanctify naturally, then the grace of God could not so much be amplified and magnified, which yet the Scriptures do. Though it be Gods goodness, that the Sun shineth, the fire burneth, yet we do not speak of it, or call it his grace, but if the Word of God ever touch and heat any mans heart, if it ever reform his life, this is the mere grace of God. By which it appeareth, That the Word of God is instrumental only by Gods institution, and where he commands it to work, there it works; where he requireth it to break down all oppositions, there it hurrieth all down before it; Insomuch that sometimes the most unlikely and profanest enemies to godliness, they are changed by the Word,¹ and those that are very ingenuous and civilly disposed, remain in a perverse opposition.

Again, If the word of God did convert and sanctifie naturally, then the grace of God could not so much be amplified and magnified, which yet the Scriptures do. Though it be Gods goodness, that the Sunne shineth, the fire burneth, yet we do not speak of it, or call it his grace, but if the Word of God ever touch and heat any mans heart, if it ever reform his life, this is the meer grace of God. By which it appeareth, That the Word of God is instrumental only by Gods institution, and where he commands it to work, there it works; where he requireth it to break down all oppositions, there it hurrieth all down before it; Insomuch that sometimes the most unlikely and prophanest enemies to godliness, they are changed by the Word,¹ and those that are very ingenuous and civilly disposed, remain in a perverse opposition.

1. 1One cause must not be opposed to other causes.

5. When we say, The Word of God is instrumental to our Sanctification, this is ⟨p. 471⟩