The Method of Grace

First, Its power is not in or from it self: it works not in a Physical way as natural agents do; for then the effect would always follow, except it were miraculously hindered: but this spiritual efficacy is in the word, as the healing virtue was in the waters of Bethesda, John 5. 4. An Angel went down at a certain season into the Pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. It is not a power naturally inherent in it at all times, but communicated to it at some special seasons: how often is the word Preached, and no man awaked or convinced by it!

First, Its power is not in or from it self: it works not in a Physical way as natural agents do; for then the effect would alwayes follow, except it were miraculously hindred: but this spiritual efficacy is in the word, as the healing vertue was in the waters of Bethesda, John 5. 4. An Angel went down at a certain season into the Pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. It is not a power naturally inherent in it at all times, but communicated to it at some special seasons: how often is the word Preached, and no man awaked or convinced by it!

Secondly, The power of the word is not communicated to it by the instrument that manageth it, 1 Cor. 3. 7. Neither is he that planteth any thing; neither he that watereth. Ministers are nothing to such an effect and purpose as this is: he doth not mean that they are useless and altogether unnecessary, but insufficient of themselves to produce such mighty effects: it works not as it is the word of man, 1 Thes. 2. 13. Ministers may say of the ordinary, as Peter said of the extraordinary effects of the Spirit,