A Body of Divinity, Vol. 3 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger CatechismRidgley, Thomas
Religion
A Body of Divinity, Vol. 3 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger Catechism
_Answ._ To this it may be replied, that an objective influence, properly
speaking, is no influence at all; much less is it becoming the dignity
of the Holy Ghost, to say, That he hath no more an hand in the work of
conversion, than that which a mere creature might have. I will not deny
that the Greek word,[26] which signifies energy, or internal working, is
sometimes taken for such a kind of influence as is not properly the
effect of power, as in the instance contained in the objection; yet, let
it be considered, that the same word is often used, in various other
instances, in senses very different, when applied to God and the
creature; where the word, in itself, is indeterminate; but the
application of it sufficiently determines the matter; so as to leave no
doubt, as to the sense of it. Thus to make, form, or produce, when
applied to God, and the thing made, formed, or produced, is represented
as an instance of his almighty power, which exceeds the limits of finite
power, this determines the sense to be very different from making,
forming, or producing, when applied to men, acting in their own sphere:
so the apostle speaks of building, in a very different sense, as applied
to God and the creature, which no one is at a loss to understand, who
reads the words; _Every house is builded by some man; but he that built
all things is God_, Heb. iii. 4. Now, to apply this to our present
purpose, we do not deny, that a finite spirit has an energy, in an
objective way; but when the same word is applied to God’s manner of
acting; and is represented as has been before observed, as an instance
of his almighty power, producing a change in the soul; and not only
persuading, but enabling him to perform good works, from a principle of
spiritual life, implanted, this may easily be understood as having a
very different sense from the same word, when applied to the internal
agency of a finite spirit; and therefore this objection does not
overthrow the argument we are maintaining.
_Object._ 3. It is farther objected against what has been said
concerning this powerful work of the Spirit, as being illustrated by the
similitude of a person’s being raised from the dead; that this contains
in it nothing supernatural, or out of the power of man; since the
apostle says, _Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and
Christ shall give the light_, Eph. v. 14. If arising from the dead be
the effect of almighty power, when applied to the work of grace, it
seems preposterous for this to be recommended as our duty: and if it be
not a work of almighty power, then those scriptures that illustrate
effectual calling by the resurrection of the dead, are nothing to the
argument for which they have been brought.
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