1. He doth it to make it Evident that it is his own Power and nothing else which gives Efficacy and Success unto all Gospel-Administrations. 2 Cor. 4. 7. We have ⟨p. 146⟩this Treasure in Earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us. There is an Excellency of Power accompanieth the Dispensation of the Word. Mighty Spiritual Effects are produced by it, such as wherein the Glory of God doth consist, and whereon the Eternal welfare of the Souls of Men doth depend. This Glory in subduing the Adverse Power of Sin, Satan, and the World, in the Quickening, Sanctifying, Saving the Souls of the Elect, God will be seen and owned in, he will not give it unto another. Whereas therefore those by whom these Treasures are communicated unto others, are frail, perishing, Earthen Vessels, or those by whom the Gospel is dispensed are poor, frail, weak men, seen and known so to be, there is no veil by their Ministry cast over the Glory of God. There is not a Soul Convinced, Converted, or Comforted by their Word, but they may truly say of it as the Apostles did of the Miracle which they wrought, Acts 3. 12. Why look ye so on us, as though by our own Power and Holiness we made this man walk? This Blind Man to see, this Dead Man to live. By the Consideration of our meanness all may discern that the Excellency of this Power is of God, and not of us. Yea, for this very End our Apostle refused to make Use of such a persuasiveness of words and exercise of Wisdom, as might give any Appearance or Countenance unto such an Apprehension, as though by them this Effect were produced. 1 Cor. 2. 4, 5. My Speech and my Preachings was not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of Spirit and of Power; that your Faith should not stand in the wisdom of Man, but in the Power of God. And herein ought he to be an Example unto us all. But it is come to that with many, that being destitute utterly of what he had, namely, and ability to dispense the word in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power, do wholly betake themselves unto what he refused, or the enticing words of Mans wisdom, according to their Ability. But what the Jews spoke Blasphemously of Christ upon his opening the Eyes of him who was Born Blind, may in a sense be truly spoken of any of us upon the opening of the Eyes of them that were Spiritually Blind;
1. He doth it to make it Evident that it is his own Power and nothing else which gives Efficacy and Success unto all Gospel-Administrations. 2 Cor. 4. 7. VVe have ⟨p. 146⟩this Treasure in Earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us. There is an Excellency of Power accompanieth the Dispensation of the VVord. Mighty Spiritual Effects are produced by it, such as wherein the Glory of God doth consist, and whereon the Eternal welfare of the Souls of Men doth depend. This Glory in subduing the Adverse Power of Sin, Satan, and the World, in the Quickening, Sanctifying, Saving the Souls of the Elect, God will be seen and owned in, he will not give it unto another. Whereas therefore those by whom these Treasures are communicated unto others, are frail, perishing, Earthen Vessels, or those by whom the Gospel is dispensed are poor, frail, weak men, seen and known so to be, there is no veil by their Ministry cast over the Glory of God. There is not a Soul Convinced, Converted, or Comforted by their Word, but they may truly say of it as the Apostles did of the Miracle which they wrought, Acts 3. 12. Why look ye so on us, as though by our own Power and Holiness we made this man walk? This Blind Man to see, this Dead Man to live. By the Consideration of our meanness all may discern that the Excellency of this Power is of God, and not of us. Yea, for this very End our Apostle refused to make Use of such a perswasiveness of words and exercise of VVisdom, as might give any Appearance or Countenance unto such an Apprehension, as though by them this Effect were produced. 1 Cor. 2. 4, 5. My Speech and my Preachings was not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of Spirit and of Power; that your Faith should not stand in the wisdom of Man, but in the Power of God. And herein ought he to be an Example unto us all. But it is come to that with many, that being destitute utterly of what he had, namely, and ability to dispense the word in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power, do wholly betake themselves unto what he refused, or the enticing words of Mans wisdom, according to their Ability. But what the Jews spoke Blasphemously of Christ upon his opening the Eyes of him who was Born Blind, may in a sence be truly spoken of any of us upon the opening of the Eyes of them that were Spiritually Blind;
