Vindiciæ legis

Therefore, for the clearing of this general, take notice, ⟨p. 189⟩1. That the word of God, as it is read, or preached, worketh no further ¹then objectively to the conversion of a man, if considered in it self. Take it (I say) in it self, not animated by the Spirit of God, and the utmost effect it can reach unto, is to work only as an object upon the Understanding. And in this sense it is that the Scripture is compared to a light. Now we know the Sun giveth light by way of an object, it doth not give a seeing eye to a blind man. It is a noble Question in Divinity, Seeing regeneration is attributed both to the Word, and to Baptism, how one worketh it differently from the other: Or, If both work it, why is not one superfluous? Now concerning the Word preached, we may more easily answer, then about the Sacraments, viz. that it works by way of an object upon the soul of a man: and were it not set home by the Spirit of God, this is the furthest work it could obtain. And this doth plainly appear, in that the word of God doth only convert those who are able to hear and understand. And the word of God being thus of it self only a directive and informative rule: hence its compared to the Pilots Compass, to Theseus his thread, leading us in the Circean gardens of this world: and therefore take away the Spirit of God, and we may say, the whole Scripture is a letter killing, yea that which we call the Gospel. Preach the promises of the Gospel a thousand times over, they convey no grace, if the Spirit of God be not there effectually. Indeed, if the communicating of grace were inseparably annexed to the preaching of the Gospel, then that were of some consequence which is objected by the Antinomian.

Therefore, for the clearing of this generall, take notice, ⟨p. 189⟩1. That the word of God, as it is read, or preached, worketh no further ¹then objectively to the conversion of a man, if considered in it selfe. Take it (I say) in it selfe, not animated by the Spirit of God, and the utmost effect it can reach unto, is to worke onely as an object upon the Understanding. And in this sense it is that the Scripture is compared to a light. Now wee know the Sun giveth light by way of an object, it doth not give a seeing eye to a blind man. It is a noble Question in Divinity, Seeing regeneration is attributed both to the Word, and to Baptisme, how one worketh it differently from the other: Or, If both work it, why is not one superfluous? Now concerning the Word preached, we may more easily answer, then about the Sacraments, viz. that it workes by way of an object upon the soul of a man: and were it not set home by the Spirit of God, this is the furthest work it could obtaine. And this doth plainly appeare, in that the word of God doth onely convert those who are able to heare and understand. And the word of God being thus of it selfe onely a directive and informative rule: hence its compared to the Pilots Compasse, to Theseus his thred, leading us in the Circean gardens of this world: and therefore take away the Spirit of God, and we may say, the whole Scripture is a letter killing, yea that which wee call the Gospel. Preach the promises of the Gospel a thousand times over, they conveigh no grace, if the Spirit of God be not there effectually. Indeed, if the communicating of grace were inseparably annexed to the preaching of the Gospel, then that were of some consequence which is objected by the Antinomian.