A treatise of effectual calling and election. In XVI. sermons, on 2 Pet. 1.10…

First, that God is not tied to any means, but can work with the meanest means to bring home people to Jesus Christ. If Peters conversion was by a Cock; a Cock crowing, and a look of Christs eye, why may not Christ use the Scriptures read to be a means of a mans call? If from stones God can raise up children to Abraham, why cannot God do it by the Word also? to make the Word read a means in his own hands to effect it? God that can do all things with nothing, without means, can bring to pass great things by weak means.

First, that God is not tied to any means, but can work with the meanest means to bring home people to Jesus Christ. If Peters conversion was by a Cock; a Cock crowing, and a look of Christs eye, why may not Christ use the Scriptures read to be a means of a mans call? If from stones God can raise up children to Abraham, why cannot God do it by the Word also? to make the Word read a means in his own hands to effect it? God that can do all things with nothing, without means, can bring to passe great things by weak means.

Secondly, and more particularly, That though ordinarily preaching, and hearing of the Word preached be ordained by God, and crowned by him chiefly to be a means instrumental to convert souls, yet God sometimes hath blessed the reading of the Word to be a means of converting souls likewise. Yet Beloved, I would not do as the Prelates did, who would fain have brought in reading to jostle out preaching. Preaching is the more noble work, and must be highest in our thoughts, yet if God will go out in an unusual way, who can control him? If God will do it by a Chapter, ⟨p. 116⟩read, when not by a Sermon preached, who can resist God? if he will show his power by weaker means. Who shall gainsay it? God sometimes honours the reading of the Word, to give encouragement to reading, to be a means of some mens call. I have read of S. Austin that he was converted not by hearing a Sermon, but by opening the Bible, and reading that place. Rom 13.13. Let us walk honestly as in the day time, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness: and the reading of this verse wrought upon him. I have read of Cyprian, that he was converted by reading the Prophecy of Jonah, hearing of Gods mercy to save such a wicked people, and of Gods mercy to Jonah, when he was in so pettish a mood as to be angry with God. I have known likewise another famous Minister, that going by a Book-binders shop, he was converted by reading a Sermon of Repentance that cost but two pence; & hath bin a famous Minister since for the conversion of many hundreds to Jesus Christ. Junius was converted by reading the first of John; so the Eunuch was converted by reading