No power in the means themselves
We allow likewise that all outward means whatever, if separate from the Spirit of God, cannot profit at all. They cannot lead, in any degree, either to the knowledge or the love of God. Without controversy, the help that is done upon earth, he does it himself. It is he alone who, by his own almighty power, works in us what is pleasing in his sight. And all outward things, unless he works in them and by them, are mere weak and beggarly elements.
Whoever therefore imagines there is any intrinsic power in any means whatsoever greatly errs, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. We know that there is no inherent power in the words that are spoken in prayer, in the letter of scripture that is read, in the sound of it when it is heard, or in the bread and wine received in the Lord's Supper. It is God alone who is the giver of every good gift, the author of all grace. The whole power is of him, by which, through any of these, any blessing is conveyed to our soul.
We know likewise that he is able to give the same grace, though there were no means on the face of the earth. In this sense we may affirm that, with regard to God, there is no such thing as means, seeing he is equally able to work whatever pleases him, by any means, or by none at all.
1771 text
3. We allow likewise, that all outward means whatever, if separate from the Spirit of God, cannot profit at all, cannot conduce in any degree either to the knowledge or love of God. Without controversy, the help that is done upon earth, he doth it himself. It is he alone, who by his own almighty power, worketh in us what is pleasing in his sight. And all outward things, unless he work in them and by them, are mere weak and beggarly elements. Whosoever therefore imagines, there is any intrinsick power, in any means whatsoever, does greatly err, not knowing the scriptures, neither the power of God. We know that there is no inherent power, in the words that are spoken in prayer; in the letter of scripture read, the sound thereof heard, or the bread and wine received in the Lord’s supper: but that it is God alone who is the giver of every good gift, the author of all grace; that the whole power is of him, whereby through any of these, there is any blessing conveyed to our soul. We know likewise, that he is able to give the same grace, tho’ there were no means on the face of the earth. In this sense we may affirm, that “with regard to God, there is no such thing as means:” seeing he is equally able to work whatsoever pleaseth him, by any, or by none at all.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 16 in the 1771 Works. Malachi 3:7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.