A Body of Practical Divinity

6 Arg. The mighty power and efficacy the Word hath had upon the Souls and Consciences of Men. 1. It hath changed their heart. 1. Some by reading of Scripture have been turned into other Men, they have been made holy and gracious. By reading other Books the Heart may be warmed, but by reading this Book it is transformed. 2 Cor. 3.3. Ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ, written not with Ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. The Word was copied out into their Hearts, and they were become Christ's Epistle, so that others might read Christ in them. If you should set a Seal upon Marble, and it should make an Impression upon the Marble, and leave a Print behind, there were a strange Virtue in that Seal: So when the Seal of the Word leaves an heavenly print of Grace upon the Heart, there must needs be a Power going along with that Word no less than Divine. 2. It hath comforted their Heart. When Christians have sat by the Rivers weeping, the Word hath dropped as Honey, and sweetly revived them. A Christians chief Comfort is drawn out of these Wells of Salvation; Rom. 15.4. That we through Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. When a poor Soul hath been ready to faint, he hath had nothing to Comfort him but a Scripture Cordial. When ⟨p. 15⟩he hath been sick, the Word hath revived him; 2 Cor. 4.17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. When he hath been deserted, the Word hath dropped in the golden Oil of Joy into his Heart; Cant. 3.31. The Lord will not cast off for ever. He may change his Providence, not his Purpose: he may have the Look of an Enemy, but the Heart of a Father. Thus the Word hath a Power in it to comfort the heart; Psal. 119.50. This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy Word hath quickened me. As the Spirits are conveyed through the Arteries of the Body: So Divine Comforts are conveyed through the Promises of the Word. Now the Scriptures having such an exhilarating Heart-comforting Power in them, it shows clearly that they are of God, and it is he that hath put this Milk of Consolation into these Breasts.