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

Hence in the seventh place, The word of God, ¹though it be ex se and quoad institutionem, an instrument of Sanctification, yet to some accidentally through their corruption, it becomes an instrument of greater sinfulness and wickedness So that commonly there are no greater sinners under Heaven, then in the Church, and in the Church none greater then where the best and most powerful means of grace are. It was thus with the Jews, Col. 6. who enjoyed besides the ordinary Ministry of their Priests, the instructions of extraordinary Prophets, and yet the truth of God did not sanctify them; But go (saith God to the Prophet) make their eyes blind, and their hearts hard; and this our Saviour did apply to their posterity also, who enjoyed Christ himself, and saw all the wonderful miracles he did. This is a dreadful and terrible thing to consider of, when in stead of sanctifying, God shall say, Harden them, blind them, and make them more wicked by the truth. It's not the Word worketh thus of it self, but wicked hearers ⟨p. 472⟩through their unbelief, and unprofitableness, provoke God to give them up to believe a lie; and for the abuse of heavenly light, they are given up to vile affections, To many cursed sins, which is a greater judgment then to be cast into the mouth of wild beasts, for they will only devour the body, but these will damn the soul.

Hence in the seventh place, The word of God, ¹though it be ex se and quoad institutionem, an instrument of Sanctification, yet to some accidentally through their corruption, it becomes an instrument of greater sinfulnesse and wickednesse So that commonly there are no greater sinners under Heaven, then in the Church, and in the Church none greater then where the best and most powerfull means of grace are. It was thus with the Jews, Col. 6. who enjoyed besides the ordinary Ministry of their Priests, the instructions of extraordinary Prophets, and yet the truth of God did not sanctifie them; But go (saith God to the Prophet) make their eyes blinde, and their hearts hard; and this our Saviour did apply to their posterity also, who enjoyed Christ himself, and saw all the wonderfull miracles he did. This is a dreadfull and terrible thing to consider of, when in stead of sanctifying, God shall say, Harden them, blinde them, and make them more wicked by the truth. It's not the Word worketh thus of it self, but wicked hearers