By a potent and strong conviction of the Conscience, declaring Grounds out of the Scripture. So that the Ministry is called the Candlestick which holds out the light. The Word (indeed) is a two-edged Sword, dividing into the inwards: But there must be an hand to wield and govern it. The word is an hammer, but there must be an arm to strike it home. And certainly, it's a wonder of wonders, that people should be led in such captivity and slavery to their lusts, that though they sit and hear, and are convinced, yet they believe not How often have we demonstrated out of the Word, that thy lusts and dissoluteness, are ⟨p. 69⟩sins? And how often at the same time doth thy conscience join with the Word, that thou art convinced? It's thy case, and thou art the man, yet thou art obstinate, and dost not reform: Doth not the Word bind thee up, take away all thy cavils, stop thy mouth, thou hast nothing to say? yet thou wilt be wicked, because thou wilt be; and so the Word is instrumental to beget grace, because it worketh upon the affections by the Ministry: There are Arguments of fear and terror on one side, there are Arguments of love, glory, and immortality on the other. Now if humane O•tours have been able to persuade their Auditors, and Rhetoric hath made such changes in mens minds, insomuch that some Heathens made Hercules so famous for strength, the god of eloquence, as if that were his his great might; what shall we say of the Arguments and power of Gods Word, which is above the hearts and consciences of men? so that the Word works faith and conversion, by convincing the judgement, and inflaming the affections
By a potent and strong conviction of the Conscience, declaring Grounds out of the Scripture. So that the Ministry is called the Candlestick which holds out the light. The Word (indeed) is a two-edged Sword, dividing into the inwards: But there must be an hand to weild and govern it. The word is an hammer, but there must be an arm to strike it home. And certainly, it's a wonder of wonders, that people should be led in such captivity and slavery to their lusts, that though they sit and hear, and are convinced, yet they believe not How often have we demonstrated out of the Word, that thy lusts and dissoluteness, are ⟨p. 69⟩sinnes? And how often at the same time doth thy conscience joyne with the Word, that thou art convinced? It's thy case, and thou art the man, yet thou art obstinate, and dost not reforme: Doth not the Word bind thee up, take away all thy cavils, stop thy mouth, thou hast nothing to say? yet thou wilt be wicked, because thou wilt be; and so the Word is instrumental to beget grace, because it worketh upon the affections by the Ministery: There are Arguments of fear and terrour on one side, there are Arguments of love, glory, and immortality on the other. Now if humane O•tours have been able to perswade their Auditours, and Rhetorique hath made such changes in mens minds, insomuch that some Heathens made Hercules so famous for strength, the god of eloquence, as if that were his his great might; what shall we say of the Arguments and power of Gods Word, which is above the hearts and consciences of men? so that the Word workes faith and conversion, by convincing the judgement, and enflameing the affections
