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

Sixthly, The Word thus made known, ¹is the ordinary means both of our beginning and increase in Sanctification. Two things are couched in this particular, 1. It's the ordinary means; so that what God may do in extraordinary cases, is not for us to dispute, but ordinarily there is no other way to beget and increase grace but this. Neither may we say this is dishonourable to God, to bind him to one way; for it hath pleased himself to appoint the communication of his grace by the Word ordinarily; so that as in natural things, he will give light to the world only by the Sun, though he could do otherwise; Therefore the Sun was not made till the fourth day, to show us, that God could give light to the world without a Sun. Thus it is also in spiritual things, though God could otherwise communicate his graces, yet he hath pleased to appoint this ordinary way: So that there is no expectation of the Spirit, but in the Word, as the Word can no ways avail without the Spirit, and it's the goodness of God that he hath commanded all spirits to be tried by this Rule, and if not conforming to it, to reject them, which could not be, if the voice of the Spirit could be heard any other way, but in and by the Scriptures, we then are bound to come to this pool; if we will have the divine moving not of an Angel, but of the Spirit of God. As the Israelite that would escape death was to keep within his doors, and those within the Ark, who would enjoy Gods Protection. Thus must such keep within the bounds of the Scripture, who expect Gods Spirit to guide them. But although we are thus bound to expect Sanctification only in this means, yet we cannot say, that God hath bound himself to work these effects always, for though he will not ordinarily dispense his grace, but in this way, yet he will not always accompany this way, yea it's the savour of death to many, 2 Cor. 2 16.

Sixthly, The Word thus made known, ¹is the ordinary means both of our beginning and increase in Sanctification. Two things are couched in this particular, 1. It's the ordinary means; so that what God may do in extraordinary cases, is not for us to dispute, but ordinarily there is no other way to beget and increase grace but this. Neither may we say this is dishonourable to God, to binde him to one way; for it hath pleased himself to appoint the communication of his grace by the Word ordinarily; so that as in naturall things, he will give light to the world only by the Sunne, though he could do otherwise; Therefore the Sunne was not made till the fourth day, to shew us, that God could give light to the world without a Sunne. Thus it is also in spiritual things, though God could otherwise communicate his graces, yet he hath pleased to appoint this ordinary way: So that there is no expectation of the Spirit, but in the Word, as the Word can no wayes avail without the Spirit, and it's the goodness of God that he hath commanded all spirits to be tried by this Rule, and if not conforming to it, to reject them, which could not be, if the voice of the Spirit could be heard any other way, but in and by the Scriptures, we then are bound to come to this pool; if we will have the divine moving not of an Angel, but of the Spirit of God. As the Israelite that would escape death was to keep within his doors, and those within the Ark, who would enjoy Gods Protection. Thus must such keep within the bounds of the Scripture, who expect Gods Spirit to guide them. But although we are thus bound to expect Sanctification onely in this means, yet we cannot say, that God hath bound himself to work these effects alwayes, for though he will not ordinarily dispense his grace, but in this way, yet he will not alwayes accompany this way, yea it's the savour of death to many,