The Word Read and Preached, How Effectual
III. THE third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of by Christ, is, “The diligent use of ordinances,” in particulai*, “the word, Kacraments, and prayer.”
I begin ith the first of these ordinances.
1. The “word,” 1 Thes. ii. 13., — “which efl’octually worketh in you that believe.”
Quest. JVhat is meant by the word’s working effectually?
Anx. Tlic word of God is said to work effectually, when it hath that good effect iijpon us for which it was aj)pointed of God; namely, when the word works powerful illumination, and thorough reformation; Acts xxvi. 18., “To open their eyes, and turn lliem from the power of Satan to God.” The * opening their eyes,’ denotes illumination; and, ’ turning them from Satan to God,’ denotes reformation.
Quest. 2. ///>?/• in the word to be read and heard that it mai, become effectual to salvation?
This question consists of two branches.
1. How wail the irord be read effectually f
First, I shall begin with the first branch of the question, ‘How is the woid to be read that it may become effectual to salvation?’
Ann. That we may so read the word, that it may conduce effectually to our salvation,
1. Let us have a reverent esteem of every part of canonical scripture: Ps. xix. 10., “More to be desired are they than gold.” Value this book of God above all other books. It is a golden ejnstle, indited by the Holy Ghost, sent us from heaven. More particularly to raise our esteem, (1.) The scripture is a spiritual glass to dress our souls by; it shews us more than we
THE WORD READ AND PREACHED HOW EFFECTUAL.
can see by the light of a naturjil conscience; that may discover gross sins, but the ghiss of the word shews us heart-sins, vain thoughts, unbeliof, &c. And it not only shews us our spots, but washcth them away. (2.) The scripture is a magazine out of which we may fetch our spiritual artillery to fight against Satan. When the devil tempted our Saviour, he fetched armour and weapons from scripture, “it is written,” Mat. iv. 4, 7. (3.) The holy scripture is a panacea, or universal medicine for the soul; it gives a recipe to cure deadness of heart, Ps. cxix. 50. Pride, 1 Pet. v. 5. Infidelity, John iii. 36. It is a physic garden, where we may gather an herb or antidote to expel the poison of sin. The leaves of scripture, like the leaves of the tree of life, are for the “healing of the nations,” Rev. xxii 2. And may not this cause a reverent esteem of the word?
2. If we would have the word written effectual to our souls, let us peruse it with ‘intcnsenessof mind:’ John v. 39., “Search the scriptures.” The Greek word [erynate] signifies to search as for a ’ vein of silver.’ The Beroans, Acts xvii. 11., “searched the scriptures daily.” The word [anakrimovtcs’] signifies to make a curious and critical search. And Apollos was mighty in the scriptures, Acts xviii. 24. Some gallop over a chapter in haste and get no good by it: if we would have the word effectual and saving, we must mind and observe every passage of scripture. And that we may be diligent in the perusal of scripture, consider,
First, The word written is norma cidtiif;, — the rule and platform by which we are to s(juare our lives; it contains in it all things needful to salvation, Ps. xix. 7., what duties we are to do, what sins we are to avoid, (iod gave Moses a pattern how he would have the tabernacle made; and he was to go exactly according to the pattern, Exod. lxv. 9. The word is the j)attern (Jod hath given us in writing for modelling our lives; therefore, how careful should we be in the pursuing and looking over this pattern?
Secondly, The written word, as it is our pattern, so it will be our judge, John xii. 4-8.,” The word that I have spoken, the
same shall judge him in the last day.” We read of the opening of the books. Rev. xx. 12. This is one book God will open, the book of the Scripture, and will judge men out of it. He will say, Have you lived according to the rule of this word? The word hath a double work, to teach, and to judge.
3. If we would have the word written effectual, we must bring faith to the reading of it, — believe it to be the word of the eternal Jehovah. The word written comes with authority, — it shews its commission from heaven, “Thus saith the Lord.” It is of divine inspiration, 2 Tim. iii. 16. The oracles of scripture must be surer to us than a voice from heaven, 1 Pet. i. 18. Unbelief enervates the virtue of scripture, and renders it ineffectual. First men question the truth of the scripture, and then fall away from it.
4. If we would have the word written effectual to salvation, we must delight in it as our spiritual cordial, Jer. xv. 16., “Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and the word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” All true solid comfort is fetched out of the word. The word (as Chrysostom saith) is a spiritual garden; and the promises arethefragrantflowersor spices in this garden. How should we delight to walk among these beds of spices? Is it not a comfort in all dubious perplexed cases, to have a counsellor to advise us? Ps. cxix. 24., “Thy testimonies are my counsellors.” Is it not a comfort to find our evidences for heaven? And where should we find them but in the word? 1 Thess. i. 4, 5. The word written is a sovereign elixir, or comfort in an hour of distress, Ps. cxix. 50., “This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy word hath quickened me.” It can turn all our “• water into wine,” How should we take a great complacency and delight in the word? They only who come to the word with delight, go from it with success.
5. If we would have the scripture effectual and saving, we must be sure, AAhen we have read the word, to hide it in our hearts, Ps. cxix. 11., “Thy word have I hid in my heart.” The word, locked up in the heart, is a preservative against sin. Why did Davi<l hide the word in his heart? In the next words,” That I might not sin against
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thee.” As one would carry an antidote about him when lie comes near a ])Iace infected, so David carried the word in his heart as a sacred antidote to preserve him from the infection of sin. When the sap is hid in the root, it makes the branches fruitful; when the seed is hid in the ground, then the corn springs up; so, when the word is hid in the heart, then it brings forth good fruit.
6. If we would have the word written effectual, let us labour not only to have the light of the word in our heads, but the power of the word in our hearts. Let us endeavour to have the word copied out, and written a second time in our hearts, Ps. xxxvii. 31., “The law of God is in his heart.” The word saith, “Be clothed with humility,” 1 Pet. v. 5.: let us be low and humble in our own eyes. The word calls for sanctity: Let us labour to partake of the divine nature, and to have something conceived in us which is of the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. i. 4. When the word is thus copied out into our hearts, and we are changed into the similitude of it, now the word written is made effectual to us, and becomes a savour of life.
7. et ult. When we read the holy scriptures let us look up to God for a blessing; beg the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that we may see the “deep things of God,”
1 Cor. ii. 10. Pray to God, that the same Spirit that wrote the scripture would enable us to understand it. Pray that God would give us that “savour of knowledge,”
2 Cor. ii. 14., that we may relish a sweetness in the word we read. David tasted it “sweeter than the honey-comb,” Ps. xix. 10. Let us pray that God would not only give us his word as a rule of holiness, but his grace as a principle of holiness.
2d Branch of the 2d Question. How may ive so hear the word that it may be effictual and saving to our souls?
Alls. 1 Give great attention to the word preached; let nothing p.’iss without taking special notice of it, Luke xix. 48., “All the people were very attentive to hear him,” they hung upon his lips. Acts xvi. 14.,” Lydia a seller of purple, which worshi|)- ped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things
which were spoken of Paul.” Give attention to the word, as to a matter of life and death. And, to that purjioe have a care, (1.) To banish vain impertinent thoughts, which will distract yon, and tak(; you off from the work in hand, ‘flits- fouls will be coming to the saeiiliee, (iti.. xv. 11., therefore we must drive tlieni away. An archer may take a right aim; but if one stand at his elbow, and jog him when he is going to shoot, he will not hit the mark: Christians may have good aims in hearing; but take heed of imj)ertiuent thoughts which will jog and hinder you in (iod’s service. (2.) Banish dulness. The devil gives many hearers a sleepy sop, they cannot keep their eyes open at a sermon; they eat so much on a Lord’s day, that they are fitter for the pillow and couch, than the temple. Frequent and customary sleeping at a sermon, shows high contempt and irreverence of the ordinance; it gives a bad example to others; it makes your sincerity to be called in question; it is the devil’s seed-time. Mat. xiii. 25., “While men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares.” O shake off drowsiness, as Paul shook off the viper! Be serious and attentive in hearing the word, Deut. xxxii. 47., “For it is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life.” When people do not mind what God speaks to them in his wonl, God doth as little mind what they say to him ill jirayer.
/Y. 2. If you would have the word preached effectual, come with an holy appetite to the word, 1 Pet. ii. 2. The thirsting soul is the thriving soul. In nature, one may have an appetite and no digestion; but it is not so in religion. Where there is a groat appetite to the word, there is for the most pari digestion; the word doth concoct and nourish. Come with hungerings of soul after the word; and therefore desire the word, that it may not only please you, but profit you. Look not more at the garnishing of the dish than at the meat, — at eloquence and rhetoric more than solid matter. It argues both a wanton palate, and surfeited stomach, to feed on sallads and kickshaws rather than wholesome food.
A. 3. If you would have the preaching of the word effectual, come to it with a tenderness upon your heart, 2 Chron. xiii. 7.,
THE WORD READ AND PREACHED. HOW EFFECTUAL.
Because thy licart was tender. If we preach to hard hearts, it is like shooting against a bra/en wall, the word (h)tl! not enter; it is like setting a gold seal upon marble, which tiikes no impression. O come to the word preached with a melting frame of heart! It is the melting wax receives the stamp of the seal. When the heart is in a melting frame, it will better receive the stamp of the word preached. When Paul’s heart was melted and broken for sin, then he cries, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do,” Acts ix. 6. Come not hither with hard hearts; who can expect a crop when the seed is sown upon stony ground?
A. 4. If youAvould have the word effectual, receive it with meekness, James i. 21., “Receive with meekness the ingrafted word.” Meekness is a submissive frame of heart to the word, — a willingness to hear the counsels and reproofs of the word. Contrary to this meekness, is (1.) Fierceness of spirit, whereby men are ready to rise iip in rage against the word. Proud men, and guilty, cannot endure to hear of their faults. Proud Herod put John in prison, Mark vi. 17. The guilty Jews being told of their crucifying Christ, stoned Stephen, Acts vii. 69. To tell men of sin, is to hold a glass to one that is dcjformed, who cannot endure to see his own face. (2.) Contrary to meekness is stubbornness of heart, whereby men are resolved to hold fast their sins, let the word say what it will, Jer. xliv. 17., “We will burn incense to the queen of heaven.” O take heed of this! If you would have the word preached work effectually, lay aside fierceness and stubbornness, receive the word with meekness. By meekness the word preached comes to be ingrafted. As a good scion that is grafted, in a bad stock, doth change the nature of the fruit and make it taste sweet; so when the word comes to be ingrafted into the soul, it sanctifies it, and makes it bring forth the sweet fruit of righteousness.
A. 5. Mingle the word preached with fiilth, lleb. iv. 2., “The word preached did not ])r()fit, not being mixed with faith.” W you leave out the chief ingredient in a medicine, it hinders the oi)erati<»u: do not leave out this ingredient of faith. Believe the word, and so believe it as to apply it.
When you hear Christ preached, apply him to yourselves; this is to put on the Lord Jesus, Rom. xiii. 14. When you hear a promise spoken of, apply it; this is to suck the flower of the promise, and turn it to honey.
A. 6. Be not only attentive in hearing but retentive after hearing: Heb. ii. 1., “We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any tin)e Ave let them slip.” Lest we should let thenj run out, as water out of a sieve; if the ground doth not retain the seed sown into it, there can be no good crop. Some have memories like leaking vessels, the sermons they hear are presently gone, and then there is no good done. If meat doth not stay and concoct on the stomach, it will not nourish. Satan labours to steal the word out of our mind, Mark iv. 15., “When they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown.” Our memories should be like the chest of the ark where the law was put.
A. 7. Reduce your hearing to practice; live on the sermons you hear: Ps. cxix. 166., “I have done thy commandments.” Rachel was not content that she was beautiful, but her desire was to be fruitful. What is a knowing head without a fruitful heart? Phil. i. 11., “Filled with the fruits of righteousness.” It is obedience crowns hearing; that hearing will never save the soul, which doth not reform the life.
A. 8. Beg of God that he will accompany his word with his ])resence and blessing. The Spirit must make all effectual; ministers may prescribe physic, but it is God’s Spirit must make it work. “He hath his ])ulpit in heaven that conve’ts souls,” AusriN. Acts X. 44., “While Peter yet sj)ake, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard.” It is said, the alcliymist can draw oil out of iron: (lod’s Spirit can j)roduce grace in the most obdurate heart.
A. 9. If you would have the word work effectually to your salvation, make it familiar to you; discourse of the word you have heard when you come home, Ps. cxix, 172., “Mv tongue shall speak of thy word.” That may be one reason why some people get no more good by what they hear, be-I cause they never speak one to another of
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wTiat they have heard; as if sermons were such secrets, that they must not be spoken of again; or as if it were a shame to speak of matters of salvation, Mai. iii. 16., “They that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and a book of remembrance was written.”
Use. Caution. Take heed, as you love voiir souls, that the word become not ineffectual to you. There are some to whom the word preached is ineffectual. (1.) Such as censure the word; instead of judging themselves judge the word. (2.) Such as live in contradiction to the word: Isa. xxx. 8. (3.) Such as are more hardened by the word, Zech. vii. 12., “They made their hearts as an adamant.” And when men harden their hearts wilfully, God hardens them judicially, Isa. vi. 10., “Make their ears heavy.” The word to these is ineffectual: were it not sad, if a man’s meat should not nourish; nay, if it should turn to poison? O take heed that the word preached be not ineffectual and to no purpose! Consider three things.
(1.) If the word preached doth us no good, there is no other way by which we can be saved. This is God’s institution, and the main engine he useth to convert souls, Luke x. 31., “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither mil they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.” If an angel should come to you out of heaven, and preach of the excellency of the glorified estate, and the joys of heaven, and
that in the most patlietical manner, — if the word preached doth not ])ersuade, neither would you be wrought upon by such an oration from heaven. If a damned spirit should come from hell, and preach to you in flames, and tell you what a ])lace hell is, and roar out the torments of the damned, it might make you tremble, but it woul I not convert, if the preaching of the word would not do it.
(2.) To come to the word, and not be savingly wrought upon, is that which the devil is pleased with; he cares not though you hear frequently, if it be not effectually; he is not an enemy to hearing but profiting. Though the minister holds out the breasts of the ordinances to you, he cares not as long as you do not suck the sincere milk of the word. The devil cares not how many sermon-pills you take, so long as they do not work upon your conscience.
(3.) If the word preached be not effectual to men’s conversion, it will be effectual to their condemnation; the word will be effectual one way or other: if it doth not make your hearts better, it will make your chains heavier. We pit tnem ^v•ho have not the word preached, but. it will be worse with them who are not sanctified by it: dreadful is their case, who go loaded with sermons to hell. But I w] conclude with the apostle, Heb. vi. 9., “We are per- suaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation.”
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