A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Answ. There is in the Scripture, 1. A Spirit of power. 2. Of Perfection.

First, Of power, Luke 24.49. and its that power that fell on them on the day of Pentecost; which our Saviour intimated to them expressly, John 20.21, 22. so that their words remit sins and ease the conscience, and bind it, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. 2 Cor. 13.3, 4, 5. Now then the Spirit breathing in the Apostles, though their outward man was base and weak, yet their words were mighty and powerful, and even as Christ was most full of power, when he was most debased. There is a threefold power in the Scripture.

First, Of power, Luke 24.49. and its that power that fell on them on the day of Pentecost; which our Saviour intimated to them expresly, John 20.21, 22. so that their words remit sins and ease the conscience, and bind it, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. 2 Cor. 13.3, 4, 5. Now then the Spirit breathing in the Apostles, though their outward man was base and weak, yet their words were mighty and powerfull, and even as Christ was most full of power, when he was most debased. There is a threefold power in the Scripture.

1. There is a mighty power therein to convince men of their sinful estate, and of their need of Christ, John 16, 8, 9.

1. There is a mighty power therein to convince men of their sinfull estate, and of their need of Christ, John 16, 8, 9.

3. There is a Spirit of power in the Scripture to cleanse us from all defilements, to purify our hearts, to overcome the world, to strengthen us against all temptations and discouragements. This Spirit breathing in us, let• us see that Christ came fully furnished for our redemption, I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me, Phil. 4.13. by the power of Christ I can learn to stand even in every condition of life, and to walk in his fear, Ezek. 36.25, 26.

3. There is a Spirit of power in the Scripture to cleanse us from all defilements, to purifie our hearts, to overcome the world, to strengthen us against all temptations and discouragements. This Spirit breathing in us, let• us see that Christ came fully furnished for our redemption, I can doe all things through Christ that strengthneth me, Phil. 4.13. by the power of Christ I can learn to stand even in every condition of life, and to walk in his fear, Ezek. 36.25, 26.

Secondly, In the Scripture there is a Spirit of perfection, whereby the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to every good work, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. There is no calling but a man may find abundant directions for it in the Scripture: the Heathen Moralists have written concerning our carriages towards men, but little towards God; so the laws of men, a man may fulfil them all, and yet live an hypocrite, and die a reprobate, which shows their imperfection, and therefore mens laws are often changed and altered: if therefore a man find such a word, as that when he understands it, he finds sufficient directions to lead him in all his ways, and bring him to Heaven: this shows the divine perfection of the Scripture, that what once it delivers that is absolutely perfect, and this Spirit bears witness to it.

Secondly, In the Scripture there is a Spirit of perfection, whereby the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to every good work, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. There is no calling but a man may finde abundant directions for it in the Scripture: the Heathen Moralists have written concerning our carriages towards men, but little towards God; so the laws of men, a man may fulfill them all, and yet live an hypocrite, and die a reprobate, which shews their imperfection, and therefore mens laws are often changed and altered: if therefore a man find such a word, as that when he understands it, he finds sufficient directions to lead him in all his wayes, and bring him to Heaven: this shews the divine perfection of the Scripture, that what once it delivers that is absolutely perfect, and this Spirit bears witnesse to it.

1. The Spirit bears witness to Christ, as it breaths in our hearts, for though the Spirit should breath never so strongly, yet if we have not the evidence of it in our hearts, we shall not know the truth of such a thing: Now the Spirit breathing in our consciences is a Spirit of peace and purity, both springing from Christ; the Spirit of peace persuades our consciences of the virtue and power of Christs blood, had it not been for Christs blood, we should never have had peace, but have been like Cain living in Nod, in continual agitation; but Christs blood speaks peace.

1. The Spirit bears witnesse to Christ, as it breaths in our hearts, for though the Spirit should breath never so strongly, yet if we have not the evidence of it in our hearts, we shall not know the truth of such a thing: Now the Spirit breathing in our consciences is a Spirit of peace and purity, both springing from Christ; the Spirit of peace perswades our consciences of the vertue and power of Christs bloud, had it not been for Christs bloud, we should never have had peace, but have been like Cain living in Nod, in continuall agitation; but Christs bloud speaks peace.

2. As he came by blood, so he came by water, and this is witnessed by the Spirit of Sanctification, and there is in this Spirit a threefold work suitable to this water.

2. As he came by bloud, so he came by water, and this is witnessed by the Spirit of Sanctification, and there is in this Spirit a threefold work sutable to this water.

1. A Spirit of refreshing: as water refresheth the dry and thirsty soul, Isa. 44.3. so doth the water of the Spirit allay the heat and scorch of Gods wrath.

1. A Spirit of refreshing: as water refresheth the dry and thirsty soule, Isa. 44.3. so doth the water of the Spirit allay the heat and scorch of Gods wrath.

2. As springing water washes and cleanses along as it goes, so doth the Spirit of God wash us with clean water, Ezek. 36.25. unless it be troubled with some obstructions, which yet it will overgrow and run clear.

2. As springing water washes and cleanses along as it goes, so doth the Spirit of God wash us with clean water, Ezek. 36.25. unlesse it be troubled with some obstructions, which yet it will overgrow and run clear.

3. As water hath a power to make trees fructify about it, Psal. 1.3. so the water of life gives a Christian such supplying strength unto his heart, that it makes him strong and fruitful, that whatsoever God or man requires, he in some good measure is enabled to perform it: so that a Christian soul by this Spirit breathing in him, can plainly discern that Christ came by water and blood.

3. As water hath a power to make trees fructifie about it, Psal. 1.3. so the water of life gives a Christian such supplying strength unto his heart, that it makes him strong and fruitfull, that whatsoever God or man requires, he in some good measure is inabled to perform it: so that a Christian soule by this Spirit breathing in him, can plainly discern that Christ came by water and bloud.

Use 1. May be a just refutation of Popery, that places the ground-work of our faith upon the testimony of the Church; ask them how they will be saved? they will say by Christ: ask them, how came you to believe in Christ? By the testimony of the Scripture. But how know you the truth of the Scripture? by the testimony of the Church, say they. But may not the Church err? Did the whole Church so dangerously err, as all to consent to the crucifying of Christ, and may not they as well err in putting on us false Scripture? Are not all men subject to errors? and therefore a Christian dares not build his faith upon humane testimony; for their testimony ⟨p. 363⟩can give but humane credulity, but a Christian tells them be therefore believes the Scripture, because the Spirit of God breaths in them by a Spirit of power and perfection, and withal Gods Spirit breaths in him such peace, as he knows Christ came by blood, and such purity, as he knows, Christ came by water.

Ʋse 1. May be a just refutation of Popery, that places the ground-work of our faith upon the testimony of the Church; ask them how they will be saved? they will say by Christ: ask them, how came you to believe in Christ? By the testimony of the Scripture. But how know you the truth of the Scripture? by the testimony of the Church, say they. But may not the Church erre? Did the whole Church so dangerously erre, as all to consent to the crucifying of Christ, and may not they as well erre in putting on us false Scripture? Are not all men subject to errours? and therefore a Christian dares not build his faith upon humane testimony; for their testimony ⟨p. 363⟩can give but humane credulity, but a Christian tels them be therefore believes the Scripture, because the Spirit of God breaths in them by a Spirit of power and perfection, and withall Gods Spirit breaths in him such peace, as he knows Christ came by bloud, and such purity, as he knows, Christ came by water.

Object. Thus you will pi• the Scripture upon your own private spirit.

Answ. This is not our private spirit; but the same spirit that breaths in the Scripture, which witnesseth to our conscience the truth.

Use 2. To teach Christians never to rest in any Scripture they read, or Ministers they hear, before they have examined things by the testimony of the Spirit: it's not the saying of all men that can assure you of this, but it's the Spirit of God in the Scripture, and in your hearts, that must testify that Christ came by water and blood; if you do not discern this Spirit in you, all your faith is but humane credulity, no• divine faith.

Ʋse 2. To teach Christians never to rest in any Scripture they read, or Ministers they hear, before they have examined things by the testimony of the Spirit: it's not the saying of all men that can assure you of this, but it's the Spirit of God in the Scripture, and in your hearts, that must testifie that Christ came by water and bloud; if you doe not discern this Spirit in you, all your faith is but humane credulity, no• divine faith.

Use 3. For trial of our faith, whether it be the faith of Gods elect or no. Dost thou believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Yes thou wilt say: But what witness hast thou to believe it? Is it from the Scripture or because thou hast been taught so; and so takest it up as a Principle? Why, this is no divine faith▪ But dost thou find a Spirit within thee, which convinceth thy conscience, purifies thy heart? Why this divine witness testifies, that Jesus Christ came by water and blood.

Ʋse 3. For tryal of our faith, whether it be the faith of Gods elect or no. Dost thou believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Yes thou wilt say: But what witnesse hast thou to believe it? Is it from the Scripture or because thou hast been taught so; and so takest it up as a Principle? Why, this is no divine faith▪ But dost thou find a Spirit within thee, which convinceth thy conscience, purifies thy heart? Why this divine witnesse testifies, that Jesus Christ came by water and bloud.