light inlightning yet they do not or will not understand this difference but confound the light inlightning which is indeed Christ with the light within each man which they term Christ and therefore make them that deny the light within to be deniers of Christ as if a man must deny the Sun to be light who doth deny the light to be in blind Bartimaeus his eyes And yet we do not deny the light which is in every man that cometh into the world only we deny the sufficiency of it self without Scripture preaching and learning to bring us to God and to direct us in his worship and to make known Christ to us and the way of reconciliation and salvation by him Again because we call the Scriptures a light and the Preachers lights therefore they exclaim against us as if we denied Christ the light and the light within Whereas there is no repugnancy between these Christ is the chiefest and highest light and yet the Law of God the Scriptures the Apostles are lights of the world Would any man in his wits reason thus The Sun is the great light in the Heavens and the Sun inlightens the eyes therefore he that calls the Moon a light or a torch or candle a light denies the Sun to be the light that inlightens all the world and the light that is in mens eyes Sure these men while they thus I cannot say argue but clamour give occasion to sober men to question whether they be not of those that come into world without light that have no light in them sith they cannot discern the want of reason in these sottish speeches more suitable to idiots and children then to men of ripe age But I rather choose to pray God to give them light then to upbraid them with their darknesse and to acquit our selves from their charge rather then discover their folly 2. However it is necessary that we be all warned to avoid false lights and to make use of Christ the true light There is much affectation and pretence of new light in these our daies Nor is it to be denied but that through the blessing of God much light either new or newly appearing hath shined forth sundry points in Divinity sundry texts of holy Scripture have been lately more cleared then they were in former daies Neverthelesse it is to be heeded that under pretence of new light many vain fancies are vented and received and that Satan hath prevailed with many to put darknesse for light and light for darknesse Of these none have more manifestly denied Christ then those that make a Christ within them the true light and while they except against the light of the Scriptures and the Word preached under pretence of Christ being the Word they put darknesse for light in that they make the natural light in each man which is but darknesse in spirituals as if it were to be heeded as mens rule in all sorts of duties and knowledge of the things of God Doubtlesse such men do really deny Christ who deny the words of Christ to be their Rule He that rejecteth ms and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him saith Christ John 12. 48. And where to find Christs words if not in Scripture I know not which while men leave and deny to be the Gospel but direct men to the light within them and call that the Gospel they do plainly reject Christ the light and follow the false light of mens vain imaginations nor can it be expected but that they should walk in darkness and stumble and fall to their destruction Be perswaded therefore as you desire your safety to make use of Christ the true light indeed not in that sense in which Fanaticks call Christ the light in them which is not the true Christ or true light who is in heaven but shines forth in the Scriptures and the explaining and preaching the doctrine which is contained in them but a meer phantasme or foolish fire which serves not to guide but to delude men The same is to be said of them that follow Ecclesiastick traditions unwritten Popes determinations Prelates and Councils Canons Fathers sayings as their light Concerning all whom it is true that there is no light in them that they are not derived from Christ the true light except they agree with the words of Christ in the holy Scripture whereby the true light doth enlighten as is to be shewed in the next point to whch I proceed Christ the Enligtening Light SERM. III. Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world Sect. 1. Christ enlightens all things with their natural light as Creatour THe next point is that Christ Jesus is the enlightening light The day-spring from on high saith Zacharias Luk. 1. 79. hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death Luk. 2. 32. Simeon terms him a light to lighten the Gentiles For explication of which it will be requisite that I shew 1. With what light Christ doth enlighten 2. Whence it is 3. By what meanes he doth enlighten 4. Why he doth enlighten 1. The light with which Christ doth enlighten is manifold 1. There is a bodily light in inanimate bodies such as are the Sun and Moon and Stars of which Moses saith Gen. 1. 16. And God made two great lights the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night he made the Stars also And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth and to rule over the day and over the night and to divide the light from the darkness And it is said Psal. 33. 6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth 2. There is a natural light of creatures which have sight to discern what is convenient for them and accordingly do move towards that which agrees with their nature or remove from that which they discern inconvenient to them Of the light or life of these beings it is to be conceived that the word which was in the beginning with God was the cause according to that of the Evangelist Joh. 1. 3. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made 3. There is a rational light of men whereby they are able to judge of what in duty they do or omit and have a conscience or privity to their own actions as either right or wrong And of this also Christ is the efficient as the words following Joh. 1. 4. import In him was life and the life was the light of men All these sorts of light the word enlightens with as Creatour it being said of him That by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and
from going into the pit and his life shall see the light Ver. 30. To bring back his soul from the pit to be enlightened with the light of the living Psal. 49. 19. The soul shall go to the generation of his fathers they shall never see light Psal. 13. 3. Lighten mine eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death Hence to sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death are conjoyned Mat. 4. 16. Luk. 1. 79. In respect therefore of life in Christ and communicated by him he is rightly termed the light Now that he hath life in himself at his disposal is affirmed by him Joh. 5. 21. As the Father raiseth the dead and quickneth so also the Son quickneth whom he will Ver. 26. For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he also given to the Son to have life in himself Joh. 14 6. Jesus saith to him I am the way and the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by me Joh. 11. 25. Jesus saith unto her I am the resurection and the life 1 Joh. 5. 11. And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son who is termed the Word of life 1 Joh. 1. 1. That eternal life which was with the Father and was manifest unto us Ver. 2. The Prince or Author of life Act 3. 15. The last Adam was made a quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. which being spoken of the resurrection of the body it appears that he is the light in respect of natural life as well as spiritual at the first creation as well as at the future resurrection As it is certain that some sort of living creatures are produced by the Sun so it is certain that the Son of God is the Prince of life who hath life in himself and imparts it to other living beings and in this respect is justly termed the Light Sect. 4. Christ is Light as the Lord of glory 2. By Light is oft meant glory and majesty There is one glory of the Sun another of the Moon and another of the Stars for one Star differeth from another in glory that is light 1 Cor. 15. 41. The light which made the face of Moses shine Exod. 34. 29. is termed 2 Cor 3. 7. the glory of his countenance and the shining of Christ at his transfiguration Mat. 17. 2. is termed glory 2 Pet 1. 17. and thus Christ is Light that is full of glory and majesty the Lord of glory 1 Cor. 2. 8. Even on earth John saith Chap. 1. 14. And we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father And doubtless however in Christs outward shape there appeared no more then ordinary or rather less then ordinary splendour yet in his preaching there was such glory as made the people astonished for he taught them as one having authority Mar. 1. 22. In his Miracles there was glory so as that Vers. 27. they were all amazed insomuch that they questioned among themselves saying What thing is this What new doctrine is this For with authority he commandeth the unclean spirits and they do obey him And Joh. 2. 11. This beginning of Miracles did Jesus in Cana of Gaiilee and manifested forth his glory and his Disciples believed on him And Vers. 15. When he made a scourge of small cords he drove out the sellers of Oxen Sheep and Doves and changers of mony all out of the Temple and overthrew their tables and powred out their money and when Officers were sent to apprehend him they returned answer Joh. 7. 46. Never man spake like this man He commanded Lazarus to come forth out of the grave and he came forth Joh. 11. 43 44. He rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm Mat. 8. 26. These and many more things which appeared in him and were done by him manifested that he was indeed Light that is a person of splendour glory and Majesty notwithstanding his emptying himself in the forme of a servant Phil. 2. 7. Sect. 5. Christ is Light as cause of peace and joy 3. By Light is oft meant peace Isa. 45. 7. I form the light and create darkness is expressed in the next words I make peace and create evil Jer. 13. 16. While ye look for light that is peace In like manner Light is put for joy as Psal. 97. 11. Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart Prov. 15. 30. The light of the eyes rejoyceth the heart Isa. 60. 20. The Lord shall be thine everlasting light and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended Darkness takes away mirth but the appearing of the day brings joy The Sun is that which chears all things by its light and so doth Christ dispell storms makes peace and begets joy Whence he is stiled the Prince of peace Isa. 9. 6. our peace Eph. 2. 14. Peace I leave with you saith Christ my peace give I unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid Joh. 14. 27. These things have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace in the world ye shall have tribulation But be of good chear I have overcome the world Joh. 16. 33. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full 1 Joh. 1. 3 4. As from the Sun all the light serenity and sweetness of the air whereby the spirits of men are refreshed the members warmed the whole body cheared is derived so from Christ are all the pleasant apprehensions of peace with God all the joyfull tast of his favour all the quickening hopes of heaven which a Christian soul partakes of Sect. 6. Christ is Light in respect of his purity and wisdome 4. By Light is meant holiness purity or clearness Nothing more free from defilement then light all the jakes and dunghills and filthy lakes in the world cannot pollute the light of the Sun and therefore it is fit to resemble holiness And accordingly God is said to be Light 1 Joh. 1. 5. that is pure as it is said Chap 3. 3. And thus the Lord Christ is Light being annointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows as loving righteousness and hating iniquity Psal. 45. 7. Heb. 1. 9. He did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2. 22. He could challenge his most prying adversaries Joh. 8. 46. Which of you convinceth me of sin 5. By Light is meant wisdome Light is a discovering quality Eph. 5. 13. All things that are discovered are made manifest by the light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light Light pierceth through the most narrow chinks into the lowest holes and so doth wisdome find out the most hidden things
the soul assures its happiness but he that knows not the way of Christ nor whereto it tends is afraid of death and judgement to come is doubtfull whether he have any interest in God fears the mention of Hell of the Devil of the coming of Christ turnes Quaker at the sight of an armed man whines like Adrian the Emperour when his soul was departing 6. A man without the light of Christ can do no spiritual work as he should As he that is in the dark can neither thresh corn nor make his clothes nor plow nor sowe nor do other necessary usefull works So it is with him that 's not enlightened by Christ he can neither pray nor praise God nor do any other holy work or manage any business that pertains to Gods glory and Christs kingdome A dark Dungeon is a miserable place to live in and no less or rather a thousand times more miserable is it to be excluded from the light of Christ. 2. If Christ be light then should our eyes be towards him Light is attractive of our eyes It is a pleasant thing to behold the Sun it is that which Infidels adore as God Should not we magnifie the Lord Jesus as the Sun of Righteousnesse Should not our eyes and our hearts be drawn after him Sould not our souls adore him He is the Son of his Fathers love Col. 1. 14. and should he not be of ours The Church the Spouse of Christ saith he is all desires Cant. 5. 16. and so doth every soul that knows him He is the highest born Prince of great Majesty of most noble disposition of most loving nature of incomprehensible beauty of superlative power of largest Empire of most ample riches there 's not the thing to be named which is desirablé which is not Christs Oh then that we could fall in love with Christ long after him remember him with delight hearken after all the tokens of his appearing inquire into his walking places Shall people travell far throng much be at much cost to see a gracious Queen Shall besotted Papists take a long and dangerous pilgrimage to see Christs pretended Vicar though sometimes a most horrible monster more like the Devil then Christ and shall not our hearts travell after Christ and converse with him Sure no excuse will be taken sith there can be no reason alledged for it for those that dote on men and women and gold and pearles and yet forget Christ are inamoured on pictures and neglect the living beauty of Heaven the Lord of Glory Be wise therefore O ye Princes and people of the world kiss the Son worship love rejoyce in wait on follow the Image of the invisible God the Heir of all things in comparison of whom let all sublunary beauties be as dirt and all the precious things of the earth be as dung to you Christ the True Light SERM. II. Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world Sect. 1. Christ no counterfeit Light HOw Jesus Christ is Light hath been shewed how he is the True Light is next to be cleared It is said of him whose Name is called the Word of God Revel 19. 13. that he was called faithfull and true ver 11. And in reference to him it is said 1 Joh. 2. 8. The true light now shineth Now Christ is said to be the true light 1. In respect of his being which is usually termed Metaphysick truth 2. In respect of his sayings which is Logick or Moral truth In the first sort of truth Christ is said to be the true light 1. To distinguish him from those which were counterfeits and feigned lights For true is opposed to that which is only in pretence but not really such Our Lord Christ saith Joh. 10. 8. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers that is were not true lights meaning this not simply of all not of Moses of whom it is said Isa. 63. 11. Then he remembred the daies of old Moses and his people saying Where is he that brought them up out of the Sea with the shepherd of his flock Nor of David of whom it is said Psal. 78. 72. That he fed Israel according to he integrity of his heart But of such as the Prophet Zechariah ch 11. 17. saith We to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock Such as were the false Prophets among the Jews the Scribes and Pharisees and Lawyers in and asore Christs time who instead of being sent by God came of themselves ran and he sent them not yet pretended a Mission from God In like sort Paul saith 2 Cor. 11. 13 14 15. For such are salse Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. And no marvell for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of righteousnesse But the Lord Christ came from the Father John 16. 28. was sent by him Joh. 17. 3. He spake not of himself but the Father which sent him gave him Commandement what he should say and what he should speak whatsoever he spake therefore even as the Father said unto him so he spake Joh. 12. 49 50. So that he was not a light by usurpation imposture disguise or transformation but by a true Commission as sealed by his Father Joh. 6. 27. sanctified and sent into the world Joh. 10. 36. Sect. 2. Christ more then a typical Light 2. Christ is the true light in contradistinction to those which were only Types or Shadows representing Christ to come The word true is used in this sense Heb. 8. 2. A Minister of the true Tabernacle that is not only of that shadowy Tabernacle which was only a parable or figure for the time present as the expression is Heb. 9. 9. but the reall Tabernacle for an Image of which that Tabernacle was made Again Heb. 9. 24. it is said Christ is not entered into the holyes made by hand which were figures or antityps of the true but into Heaven it self where the holy place of the Tabernacle is made the antitype and representative and Heaven the true holy place In like manner there were lights in the Tabernacle there were lamps and lights of pure oyl burning in the Tabernacle there was fire at the Altar which at first came down from Heaven and these were shadows of things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2. 17. And in this sense also truth came by Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 17. There is mention of seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God Rev. 4. 5. But this hinders not but that Christ might be shadowed by the lamps in the Tabernacle and the fire on the Altar sith that which was signified by them the inlightning the people of God who are the holy Priesthood of God and the making ready the Sacrifice that it might be accepted with God was
most truly verified of Jesus Christ through whom we now worship the Father in spirit and truth Joh. 4. 23 24. and our spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God 1 Pet. 2. 5. Sect. 3. Other Lights are no Lights in comparison of Christ. 3. Christ is the true light comparatively as being the chief light in comparison of whom other lights are not to be so termed 'T is true John Baptist is said to be a burning and a shining light Joh. 5. 35. And the word of the Prophets is termed a light shining in a dark place 2 Pet. 1. 19. And Christ saith of his Apostles Mat. 5. 14. they were the light of the world Yet they were as no lights in comparison of Christ who was in the bosome of the Father and hath declared him Joh 1. 18. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that himself saw him and who received not the Spirit by measure and therefore spake the words of God above others Joh. 3. 35. As in like manner we are lights who now preach the Gospel yet comparatively to the Apostles who could say That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes and our hands have felt of the words of life we declare unto you 1 Joh. 1. 1 3. we are but dark The Law was a light and the Commandement was a lamp Prov. 6. 23. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path saith the Psalmist Psal. 119. 105. Yet in comparison of the Gospel of Glory of Christ who is the Image of God 2 Cor. 4. 4. it is scarce to be termed light but as the Star-light is as no light when the Sun is risen so even that which was made glorious to wit the giving of the Law had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excelleth 2 Cor. 3. 10. That is in comparison of the Gospel which is as the day-star and Sun-rising 2 Pet. 1. 19. Sect. 4. Christ the Original Light 4. Christ is the true light as being the Original light from whom other delegated lights which are set up in Christs stead as it is 2 Cor. 5. 20. do borrow their light It is true the Father of our Lord Christ is termed the Father of lights Jam. 1. 17. And Christ is light of light light from the Father of lights yet all is so fully invested in Christ that he could say Joh. 16. 15. All things that the Father hath are mine And therefore he saith even of the holy Spirit himself whom he calls the Spirit of truth that he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak Ver. 13. And he shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you Ver. 14. And when the Prophets testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow it was the Spirit of Christ which was in them that did signifie them 1 Pet. 1. 11. And in like sort when the Apostles by their preaching were lights of the world yet they received from Christ that which they declared 1 Joh. 1. 2 3. And those Believers who were brought to the knowledge of Christ among the Corinthians 2 Cor. 3. 3. are said to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by the Apostles So that as the light of the Sun is the true light because it is the fountain of light the Moon and other Stars borrowing their light from it in like manner Christ is the true light as being he from whom the Prophets Apostles and holy Teachers derive their light which they impart to the world Sect. 5. Christ the perfect Light 4. Christ is the true light that is the most perfect light True is taken for that which is perfect which attains the end to which nothing is wanting requisite to the use of riches Luk. 16. 11. opposite to the Mammon of unrighteousnesse which is defective not sufficient to make a man happy Now Christ is the true or perfect light 1. Because he is the highest light the rising-Sun or day-spring from on high or the height to wit of Heaven Luk. 1. 78. A light placed on high and that riseth from Heaven is a greater light then a Beacon fired and a Beacon on a hill fired then a Bonfire in a low valley The Original of Christ being a light which came from God that was from above Joh. 8. 23. makes him the more conspicuous and greater light 2. The light which is universal is a more perfect light then that which is a light to one part onely as the Sun is the most perfect light because his going forth is from the end of the Heaven and his circuit to the end of it and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof Psal. 19. 6. Now Christ is the light of the world Joh. 8. 12. Not only the glory of the people of Israel but also a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. 3. That is the most perfect light which is without any mixture of darknesse Mow Christ is light and in him is no darknesse at all Lord said Peter Ioh. 21. 17. thou knowest all things Surely there was no errour in Chrlst which might darken his understanding or nescience which might disable him from inlightning those that sit in darknesse and guiding their feet into the way of peace Luk. 1. 79. which is the chief use of the heavenly light of Christ. 4. He is a perpetual light John was a light for a season Ioh. 5. 35. he was to decrease in his lustre and use when Christ was to increase Ioh. 3. 30. The Prophets and Apostles were lights in their time but they had on earth their eclipses the Prophets could not alwaies declare the mind of God Nathan 2 Sam. 7. 3. bid David do all that was in his heart and yet ver 4. that night he had a countermand Elisha said 2 Kings 4. 24. of the Shunamite her soul is vexed within her and the Lord hath hid it from me and hath not told me Prophetick light was not as the Schoolmen said truly in them in manner of a habit which might dispose them to reveal the mind of God at any time but holy men of God spake as they were carried or moved by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 21. And the Apostles did not alwaies speak by the Spirit Peter was to be blamed when he compelled the Gentiles to live as do the Jews Gal. 2. 11 14. to him whom Christ said Mat. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church he after said ver 23. Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me for thou savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of men But it was otherwise with Christ his knowledge was habitual alwaies ready in every thing he was to speak to never deficient he needed not that any should testifie of man Ioh. 2. 25. He spake what he had seen
and heard Ioh. 3. 32. we speak that we do know and testifie that we have seen ver 11. He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him ver 34. The Prophets and the Apostles were lights in their time but their light is set I mean their personal preaching ceaseth Zech. 1. 5. Your Fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever 2 Pet. 1. 14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me But of Christ it is said Rom. 6. 9 10. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him For in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God Eph. 4. 8. When he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men ver 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended farre above all Heavens that he might fill all things to wit with his light as it follows ver 11 12 13. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ. So that Christ is now not only a permanent light but also more eminent shining as he did on the earth to the Iews so more gloriously since his ascension to the Gentiles And though the man of sin hath much obscured the light of Christ and the mystery of iniquity that began to work in Pauls time hath prevailed after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders yet shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thes. 2. 7 8 9. And then shall Christ shine more gloriously in his day and with him the righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 13. 43. And then shall the Lord be to them an everlasting light and their God their glory Isa. 60. 19. Sect. 6. Christ the effectual inlightning Light Christ is the true light that is the effectual light which doth indeed that which light is to do As he is termed the true bread which was from Heaven Ioh. 6. 32. because he giveth life to the world ver 33. He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever ver 58. And as he is termed the true vine Ioh. 15. 1. Because he yeilds fruit as a vine so is he termed the true light because he doth inlighten effectually John 8. 12. I am the light of the world saith Christ be that followeth me shall not walk in darknesse but shall have the light of life Ioh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darknesse There are lights that like ignis fatuus foolish fire lead men into dark places lakes and bogs whereinto they that follow them perish There are lights that for a while lead men in the way and then soon go out and so leave men in darknesse and perplexity But the Lord Christ leads alwaies in the right way even in the way of life neither is he ever extinguished but so shines as that whosoever follows him shall be directed aright in his way be guided into the way of peace Luk. 7. 79. With thee saith the Psalmist Psal. 36. 9. is the fountain of life in thy light shall we see light There is an amazing light that by its brightnesse doth as it were strike dead and cast down to the earth Revel 1. 16 17. When Christ appeared to John in his glory and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength upon the sight of him John fell at his feet as dead When Saul journied to Damascus about noon suddainly there-shine from Heaven a great light round about him so that he could not see for the glory of the light but was blind for some daies Acts 22. 6. 11. Acts 9. 9. The Lord Christ is an excelling light yet not striking dead nor casting down nor blinding but rather an erecting light a clearing light a directing light an enlivening and inlightning light which would lead me to the consideration of the way of Christs inlightning but that somewhat more is to be said of the truth of Christ the light Sect. 7. Christ was the true Light in respect of the truth of his words 2. Christ is the true light in respect of his sayings he delivered that which was truth which is Logick truth and the truth he spake according to his mind which is moral truth 1. He could freely say John 8. 14. Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whether I go Ver. 16. If I judge my judgment is true for I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me Ver. 17 18. It is written in your Law that the testimony of two men is true I am one that bear witnesse of my self and the Father that sent me beareth witnesse of me Ver. 26. He that sent me is true and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him Ver. 28. When ye have lift up the Son of man then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of my self but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things Ver. 31 32. If ye continue in my Word then are ye my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free Ver. 40. But now ye seek to kill me a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard of God Ver. 45. Which of you convinceth me of sin And if I say the truth why do ye not believe me Joh. 10. 25. The works that I do in my Fathers Name bear witnesse of me Ver. 37 38. If I do not the works of my Father believe me not But if I do though ye believe not me believe the works that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him Joh. 16. 10. The words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father that dwelleth in me he doeth the works In which speeches our Lord Christ avers the truth of the light that is Doctrine or Words he taught in that they were received from God and witnessed by him which was proved 1. By the works which Christ did which were invincibly proved to be of God by the greatnesse frequency freenesse and goodnesse of them being in opposition to Satan and with such evidence of all freedom from imposture and acquaintance with Satan that even those who followed
not Christ did in his Name cast out Devils Luk. 10. 49 50. And by this he refuted Luk. 11. 19. the Pharisees who imputed his casting out Devils to an assistance of the Prince of the Devils 2. By the concomitants and consequents of his lifting up which was his death on the crosse Joh. 11. 32 33. For 1. The prediction of it with the fulfilling thereof shewed he spake from God whose property it is to foretell future contingents as certain 2. The things themselves proved him to come from God 1. The wonderfull accidents that hapned at his death Mat. 27. 54. the renting of the Vcil of the Temple and of the rocks and the quaking of the earth and opening of the graves made the Centurion and his Souldiers say Truly this was the Son of God 2. His Resurrection not withstanding all the obstruction used by Pilate and the Jews with the rising of many bodies of the Saints which slept and appeared to many in Jerusalem manifest by the many and undoubted signs thereof to many persons many times proves his descent from God 3. The giving of the Spirit on the great day of Pentecost in the sight of Proselytes from all Countries which was also done by Apostles in other places together with many Miracles in his Name proved that he taught the truth he received from the Father 4. The dispossessing of Satan of his Empire in the worship of Idols and the giving of Oracles as from them and the drawing of the Gentiles to him as he foretold Joh. 12. 31 32. in which was part of the great mystery of Godlinesse 1 Tim. 3 16. which we at this day see accomplished together with many other Prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem its treading down of the Gentiles the Preaching of the Gospel over all the world the calamities of the Jews the persecution of the Christians with other things Matth. 24. Luk. 21. and elsewhere abundantly demonstrate that he was the true light which came down from Heaven in respect of the Doctrine he taught and words he spake His words also appear to be the true light from the matter of them and the ends whereunto they tend and the effects of them For 1. The matter of them is pure like God containing holy Precepts not amorous Poems or sophistical quirks of wit or curious devices of art or cunning maxims of State policy or glorious atchievements of war or any thing that tends to exalt man but such Precepts and Revelations as make man spiritual heavenly wise like unto God There is nothing vain and fabulous like to the frothy wit of men nor deceitfull like to the wily old Serpent but solid and weighty concerning peace with God conversion unto him denying our selves taking up our Crosse following of Christ in patience contentednesse meeknesse humility and such like things as shew faith in God and hope of a reward in Heaven all plain without flattery of men to induce them to follow him in hopes of earthly preferment and worldly wealth or pleasure or praise of men but the clean contrary yet are they such things as when declared appear so necessary for sinners so full of goodnesse and congruity to Prophetical Predictions that the conscience of men not listed up with pharisaical concei's of self-righteousnesse nor obstinately addicted to their own lusts will assent to and embrace them 2. The ends of them and the effects are the salvation of man and the glory of God All that Christ spake it was to comfort the humble and afflicted soul Luk. 4. 18. to ease the burthened Matth. 11. 28. to direct them to God to reform the evils in Gods worship to take men off from covetousnesse hypocrisie and such evils as are pernicious to believe in God to love each other to lay up our treasure in Heaven not to be excessively carefull for the things of this life with whatever else might bring men nigh to God and alienate them from this present evil world And accordingly so were and are the effects regeneration or new birth rejoycing in God mortification of the deeds of the body comfort in tribulation a life of faith love to the Brethren in Christ and everlasting consolation and good hope through grace All which with inumerable other Characters and Symptomes of Christs Doctrine and Testimony do shew that he was the true light and that what he spake to Pilate Joh. 18. 37. was right To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witnesse unto the truth every one that is of the truth heareth my voice Lastly That in respect of his sincerity or moral truth he was the true light it is manifest in that as he said to the Jews he sought not his own will but the will of the Father which sent him Joh 5. 30. That he sought not his own glory Joh. 8. 50. Which appears in that he sometimes forbad the spreading of his fame withdrew himself when they would have made him King Joh. 6. 15. was content to be deprived of ordinary conveniencies Luk. 9. 58. In a word made himself of no reputation or emptied himself and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and being in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even to the death of the crosse Phil. 2. 7 8. that he might give Testimony to the truth Sect. 8. Application by way of Vindication of our selves from the Accusation of Quakers as if we denied the Light John 1. 9. and warning to shun false Lights From that which hath been said 1. It may appear that those who go under the name of Quakers do unjustly accuse publique Preachers as if they did deny the true light which inlighteneth every man that cometh into the world that they deny Christ the light for so in their speeches and books they do frequently charge them None that I have seen is more profuse and frequent in these charges then G. F. that is George Fox in his Catechism who saith p. 7 Toat neither the Jews nor Christians do believe in the light which doth inlighten every man that cometh into the world though they professe some of Christs and the Apostles words which the Jews do not P. 9. he saith Teachers by the will of man meaning publique Preachers in England and Professors say that Christ doth not inlighten every one that cometh into the world and they deny Christ. P. 13. That none can confesse Christ but who confesse the light which every man is inlightened withall But frequently in the same paper he terms such as acknowledge not the light which he imagins every one hath Antichrists Deceivers not Teachers of Christ but deniers of him p. 15. But this crimination is but the raving of men that are used to make clamours and outcries without any proof Though the text plainly enough distinguisheth the light inlightening and the light in every man from that true
for him And he is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 16 17. And to like purpose it is said Heb. 1. 2 3. By whom also he made the worlds and upholding all things by the word of his power Sect. 2. Christ enlightens the world with the knowledge of God as the Prophet of the Church There are other sorts of light which are from Christ as his Fathers Officer sent into the world and anointed for the recovery of man sallen by sinne 1. There is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God which is by the enlightening that is in the face or person of Jesus Christ as Paul expresseth it 2 Cor. 4. 6. Whereby it is that we see as through a glass the glory of the Lord with unveiled face 2 Cor. 3. 18. Not as it was with Israel when they could not look on Moses without a veil over his face as it is ver 7. 13. Till Christ appeared in the flesh the Gentiles were darkness Paul saith of the Galatians Gal. 4. 8. Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them which by nature are no Gods Of the Ephesians Ye were once darkness but now are ye light in the Lord Eph. 5. 8. Of the Corinthians Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb Idols as ye were led 1 Cor. 12. 2. The Jews also had their mindes blinded the vail remained untaken away in the reading of the old Testament which vail is done away in Christ 2 Cor. 3. 14. The being of the true God was so little known to the Gentiles till Christ appeared to be a light to the Gentiles that they were not only without God in the world Eph. 2. 12. Insomuch that the Athenians themselves sensible of their ignorance of him inscribed their Altar thus To the unknown God Act. 17. 23. confessing God was unknown of them But they were also so vain in their imaginations that they imagined those things to be Gods which were no Gods but creatures made to serve them being imparted unto all nations under the whole heaven by God Deut. 4. 19. Yea and under divers resemblances the meaner sort of living creatures Rom. 1. 23. And dead men and Devils 1 Cor. 10. 20. And for the Jews they understood not the counsel of God in giving of the Law and the appointing sacrifices and ceremonies till by the light of Christ the end of these things was revealed But the only begotten Son which is in the besome of the Father he hath declared God Ioh. 1. 18. revealing his true being and thereby undeceiving the Gentiles and his counsels in the giving of the Law and appointing the legal worship and thereby hath enlightened the Jews And this enlightening is proper to him who tells us Mat. 11. 27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him This light is derived from Christ as the great Prophet of the Church of God Sect. 3. Christ as high Priest enlightens with the light of peace and joy in God 2. There is a light of peace with God which is by Christ who is our peace reconciling both Jews and Gentiles in one body by the cross having slain the enmity thereby Ephes. 2. 14. 16 This is that peace which Christ calls his peace which he promiseth to his Apostles Joh. 14. 27. where he saith Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid And again Joh 16. 33. These things have I spoken unto you that in me you might have peace in the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the world So that this light of peace with God begets the light of peace and joy in the hearts of those that are Christs insomuch that being justified by faith and having peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God and not only so but they glory in tribulations also Rom. 5. 1 2 3. This peace of God which passeth all understanding keeping as a guard their hearts and mindes through Christ Jesus Phil. 4. 7. Hence it hath come to pass that even when the wicked are driven away in their wickedness as with a storm yet the righteous hath hope in his death Prov. 14. 32. As Oecolampadius when his light failed him near his death told them about him that he had light enough within him Hereby the holy Martyrs and Confessors when the heavens were black over them the rage frowns threats tortures of tyrants violently rushed upon them yet stood unmoved without being shaken by any terrour or grief from them Who shall separate us saith Paul Rom. 8. 35 36 37 38 from the love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword Nay in all these things we are mare then conquerours through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This light is derived from Christ as the high Priest of the people of God Sect. 4. Christ as King of Saints enlightens with the light of glory 3. There is yet a higher and more illustrious light from Christ to wit the light of glory which is termed by the Apostle Paul Col. 1. 12. the inheritance of the Saints in light and by our Lord Christ Joh. 8. 12. the light of life which is that eternal life which is said to be the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6. 23. This is that blessed light of the new Jerusalem which hath no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God doth lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof and the nation of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it Rev. 21. 23 24. Of this light the glorified Saints shall be fully partakers at the resurrection when the righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Mat. 13. 43. Their vile body or body of debasement shall be changed by the Lord Jesus Christ that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body Phil. 3. 21. which is now more glorious then it was on the Mount Mat. 17. 2. and yet then he was transfigured and his face did shine as the Sun and his raiment was white as the light And for their spirits doubtless they shall then have farre greater light Now we see through a glass darkly or in a riddle but then face to face Now I know in part but then shall I know
even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 12. They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them they shall hunger no more nor thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heat For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of water and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 15 16 17. And there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain Rev. 21. 4. No night or gloomy day but perpetual light and serenity everlasting joy shall be upon their heads all clouds of fear sorrow ignorance despair disquietnesse shall fly away And this light shall be from Christ as the King of Saints Sect. 5. Christ inlightens by his natural Power as Gods Son and by his special Commission as sent of God 2. The natural light that all creatures have in their several kinds is from that natural power which Christ Jesus hath as the Son of God by whom he made the worlds who being the brightnesse of glory and the characteo or expresse Image of his person or substance bears or upholds all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 2 3. To this purpose tends the speech of Christ Joh. 5. 17. My Father worketh hitherto and I work from whence the Jews gathered that he termed God his own Father making himself equal with God ver 18. to which Christ answers ver 19. Verily verily I say to you the Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do for what things soever he doth these also doth the Son likewise Which shew that Christ asserted a coworking with his Father in all his works and power answerable to it The light of knowledge of God and his counsel of peace and joy and comfort of glory and everlasting blessednesse the Lord Christ communicates as by special Commission delegated by his Father sealed sanctified and sent into the world whereby he was made the light of the world according to what he saith Joh. 9. 5. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world And ver 39. For judgment am I come into this world that they which see not might see and that they which see might be made blind The administration of the affairs belonging to the Kingdom of God was committed to him for inlightening governing protecting delivering raising up from the dead and advancing his Church subduing the devils reproving and condemning opposers of his Doctrine and work judging all in his great day All things saith he Mat. 11. 27. are delivered unto me of my Father Joh. 5. 20. For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that himself doeth and he will shew him greater works then these that ye may marvell For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son Mat. 28. 18. All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth By reason whereof and his being made man to do this work he is said to come down from Heaven not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him Joh. 6. 38. And it is said by Zacharias Luk. 1. 78. The day spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darknesse Sect. 6. Christ inlightens by his Preaching Example Spirit Apostles now in this time by his Power and Glory in the world to come 3. The inlightening with the later sorts of light imparted by Christ as sent into the world is from him in this time now or in the world to come That inlightening which is now in thistime is either by himself or his Deputies immediately or by mediation of others 1. Christ in the daies of his flesh or as it is expressed John 9. 5. As long as he was in the world was the light of the world 1. He was the light of the world by his preaching wherein he was as the Sun still moving and inlightening all sorts and in all places taking occasion to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the poor and all sorts of people who resorted to him After his temptation he went about all Galilee teaching in their Synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing all manner of sicknesse and all manner of disease among the people Mat. 4. 23. When he preached in the house there was such resort to him that his Mother and Brethren could not come at him by reason of the presse but stood without desiring to speak with him but he preferred the work of reaching the people before private conference with his Mother Mat. 12. 47 48 49 50. No sooner was he got out of the house and come to the sea side but great multitudes were gathered together unto him so that he went into a ship and sate and the whole multitude stood on the shore and he taught them many things by Parables Mat. 13. 1 2 3. After he had been in a desert a while when he came out seeing much people was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a Shepherd and he began to teach them many things Mark 6. 34. He was wont to go to the Mount of Olives to pray Luk. 22. 39. And early in the morning he came again into the temple and all the people came unto him and he sate down and taught them Joh. 8. 2. When he was in the way travelling when he was at meales he was still teaching his Disciples or those that were with him He neglected eating to prosecute the work of winning souls and lightening them by his preaching And this he counted his meat as he told his Disciples Joh. 4 34. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work By this means the people which sate in darknesse saw great light and to them which sate in the region and shadow of death light sprang up Mat. 4. 16. Thus Jesus Christ hath abolished death and brought immortality and life to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. 2. Christ was a light also by his Example Good example doth inlighten men not only directing but also provoking others to follow their steps Men as they are sociable so they love to do as they see others do Hence it is that they live as much by examples as by Precepts Wherefore saith Christ Mat 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Now of all the examples that ever were there was none more illustrious then Christs None so full of love goodnesse meeknesse patience humility contentedesse obedience innocence quietnesse holy zeal courage diligence in his
work self-denial heavenlynesse faith hope in God and whatever else is amiable and imitable He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil Act. 10 33. He did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Per. 2. 22 23. The real of Gods house did eat him up Joh. 2. 17. It was his meat do do the will of him that sent him and to finish his work Joh. 4. 34. He was the good Shepherd that laid down his life for his Sheep Joh. 10. 11. Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them to the end Joh. 13. 1. Though he were their Lord and Master yet he washed his Disciples feet ver 23. 24. Though he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we through his poverty might be rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. Being in the form of God he made himself of no reputation but took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the crosse Phil. 2. 6 7 8. He pleased not himself but as it is written the reproaches of them that reproached God fell on him Rom. 15. 3. The Son of man came not to be ministred to but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Mat. 20. 28. In all these things and in all other his words and deeds he did shine forth so clearly that even his enemies could not but acknowledge him to have been a holy and just person even before Pontius Pilate he witnessed so good a confession 1 Tim. 6. 13. that Pilate who condemned him yet acquitted him from fault and the malefactor that suffered with him testified that he had done nothing amisse Luk. 23. 4 14 41. 3. Christ did inlighten now in this time as the expression is Mark 10. 38. after his resurrection untill the day in which he was taken up by giving Commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the Apostles whom he had chosen to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them fourty daies and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1. 2 3. 2. After his departure out of the world into Heaven he was and is an inlightening light now in this time mediately 1. By sending of the Holy Spirit whom he promised to send to the Apostles from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father and that he should testifie of him Joh. 15. 26. And guide them into all truth that he should not speak of himself but whatsoever he should hear that he should speak and would shew them things to come he should glorifie Christ for he should receive of his and should shew it to the Apostles that all that the Father had were his and therefore he said he should take of his and shew it to them Joh. 16. 13 14 15. Which was accordingly accomplished when the holy Spirit was given to them and those Prophets and other Teachers whom Christ gave to his Church were endued with the Holy Ghost after his ascension To whom and to the rest of Believers the holy Spirit is given as the earnest of their Inheritance and thereby the eyes of their understanning are inlightened that they may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints Eph. 1. 14 18. Who receive not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that they might know the things which are freely given them of God 1 Cor. 2. 12. Because they are Sons God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. 2. By the sending of Apostles and other Teachers into all Nations of whom in that respect he said Mat. 5. 14 15. Ye are the light of the world A City that is set on an hill cannot be hid Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it giveth light to all that are in the house Ephes. 3. 8 9. Paul saith of himself To me is this grace given to inlighten all men as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies being the same which is used Joh. 1. 9. And indeed Christ when he ascended up on high led captivity captive and gave gifts to men some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Eph. 4. 8 11. who were Angels of light and being placed on high hills in great Cities and on Candlesticks in many Churches were eminent lights in the world So that was said of the Heavens Psal. 19. 4. was verified of them Their sound went into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world Rom. 10. 18. By which light the unfruitfull works of darknesse to wit the wâ—les of the powers of darknesse in their Idolatries and other wickednesse was discovered and innumerable souls brought out of the power of darknesse into the Kingdom of the Son of God From whose light succeeding Teachers by preaching the Gospel and baptizing Believers which the Ancients called inlightening many millions of people through the Romane Empire and other parts of the earth became Christians and were added to the Children of light and these Teachers are termed Starres in Christs right hand Rev. 1. 20. Lastly In the world to come as the phrase of Christ is Mark 10. 30. As the lightening that lighteneth out of the one part under Heaven shineth unto the other part under Heaven so shall also the Son of man be in his day Luk. 17. 24. Then shall he put on his glorious apparel and deck himself with light as a garment and being attended with all the Angels of light shall come in the glory of his Father and raise up the bodies of all the Children of light and bring them to the light so as that those eyes which were boared out for acknowledging him shall see him riding on the clouds of heaven triumphantly and they themselves shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father And then he shall be our noon-light we shall know as we are known 1 Cor. 13. 12. Sect. 7. Christ inlightens by reason of his own lustre and his Fathers design to to shew him to the world The Reasons why Christ is thus an inlightening light are 1. From his own property he being light of himself is as all light is apt to communicate his light to the world As the property of the fire is to burn and the property of water to moysten so it is the property of light to shine forth Nothing is more diffusive of it self and apt to shew it self to others then light Darknesse hides things but light makes them appear As the Prince of
darknesse disguiseth himself puts on the form of a Serpent or Samuel loves to act in the night to keep men in ignorance and blindnesse it being the way most agreeable to his Kingdom which is the Kingdom of darknesse so the Lord Jesus the Lord of glory loved the light his Kingdom being the Kingdom of light His birth was manifested by a Starre Mat. 2. 2. he being the Star that should come out of Jacob as Balaam foretold Numb 24. 17. And there was darknesse over all the Land at his death so that the Sun was darkned Luk. 23. 44 45. Which shewed that then the Sun of righteousnesse was eclipsed His preaching was in the light I spake openly said he Job 18. 20. to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jews alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing His life and practice also was so illustrious and open that he could boldly appeal to his adversaries own testimony of him Which of you convinceth me of sin Joh. 8. 46. 2. Christ was the true light inligntening the world by his Fathers special design 1. Out of special love to his people for whose sake Christ was anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor sent to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty them that are bruised Luk. 4. 18. According to the Prediction Isa. 60. 1 2 3. Arise be inlightened for thy light cometh and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee For behold the darknesse shall cover the earth and grosse darknesse the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen upon thee And the Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising Which is applied thus by Paul Ephes. 5. 14. Wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light 2. Out of special affection to Christ. For the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand Joh. 3. 35. For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth all things that himself doeth For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will For the Father judgeth no man bus hath committed all judgment unto the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him Joh. 6. 21 22 23. To this end it was that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth John 1. 14. And to this end did he appear to John Revel 1. 13. cloathed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle His head and his hairs were white like wool as white as snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire And his feet like unto fine brasse as if they burned in a furnase and his voice as the sound of many waters And he had in his right hand seven Starres and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength ver 14 15 16. His last glorious appearing as it is termed Tit. 2. 13. shall be with his mighty Angels in flaming fire 2 Thes. 1. 7 8 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe God having highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven and things in earth and things under the earth And that every tongue should confesse that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2. 9 10 11. Sect. 8. Application by way of Inference that we are to blesse God for Christs inlightening and all that are Christs are Children of Light From that which hath been said it follows 1. That there is much cause that we should blesse God for this incomprehensible benefit to men especially us Gentiles of raising up Christ to be the inlightening light of the world Sure all light which shews to inlighten and not to amaze is a great gift They that have been long blind or kept in darknesse and after recover their sight and see the light how are they over-joyed When blind Bartimaeus received his sight he followed Christ glorifying God Luk. 18. 43. And shall not we glorifie God who receive lightfrom Christ not only to follow him in the way in which he travelled on earth but also in the way in which he passed into glory We sometimes seem to wish that God would send us the light of Heaven and will we not praise God who hath sent his Son from Heaven to be the true inlightening light to guide us to Heaven Zacharias blessed God that by his tender mercy the day-spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace Luk. 1. 78 79. Simeon desired to live no longer after his meeting with Christ in the Temple but blessed God that his eyes had seen his salvation which he had prepared before the face of all people a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel Luk. 2. 28 29 30 31. Herein we are bound to imitate them and to be inlarged in our blessing God and glorifying him for this great injoyment of the true inlightening light 2. Sith Christ is the inlightening light they that are Christs are Children of the light and of the day not of the night or darknesse 1 Thes. 5. 5. They therefore that abide in darknesse and walk in darknesse have no communion with Christ. For what fellowship hath righteousnesse with unrighteousnesse And what communion hath light with darknesse And what concord hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6. 14 15. Now he that hateth his Brother is in darknesse and walketh indarknesse and knoweth not whether he goeth because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes 1 Joh. 2. 11. And what is their practice but practice of harred of their Brethren whose tongue are still venting reviling speeches against their Brethren as not in the light because they confesse sin in themselves and make not the light in their own consciences a sufficient light to guide them but sollow the light of the holy Scriptures Surely these are not in the light who are so full of self-boasting of their own perfection and Pharisee-like despising others Were we in errour yet in meeknesse those that oppose themselves should be instructed 2 Tim. 2. 25. if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth Wherein they failing and following the Prince of darknesse in railing accusations Iude 9. shew themselves not to be
the mean time by that which hath been said 1. It is necessary for our good that we should be sensible of these two things 1. That sin is an imbittering thing that takes away the relish and pleasure of all the goods we have under the Sun and of our very lives themselves Agag thought if he had escaped death then bitternesse had been overpassed and therefore he came to Samuel delicately 1 Sam. 15. 32. But experience shewed that there is often more bitternesse in life then in death Nor is it likely to be otherwise as long as sin remains for that 's a root of bitternesse Heb. 12. 15. a root that beareth gall and wormwood Deut. 29. 18. While there is sin in our eating and drinking there will be bitternesse in our meats and drinks While there is sin in our nuptials there will be bitternesse in our marriage society All states and conditions here will have their frets their gnawing worms and eating mothes When God corrects man with rebukes for iniquity he makes his beauty to consume away like a moth Surely every man is vanity Psal. 39. 11. 2. That we have little cause to glory in our birth It is the property of many to boast of their birth it is the manner of all Parents to rejoyce at their childrens birth But the sense of sinne should take away our glorying in our selves the sight of our black feet should abate our high conceits of our white feathers and the sense of trouble should allay the excesse of our joy in posterity and rather provoke us to imitate them that wept at births and sang for joy at burials Were it not that God makes women forget their travell they would breed no more and were it not that God hides from the eyes of men the evils that accompany life they would choose strangling rather then life and were it not for the consolations of Christ the burdens especially of the godly would be unsupportable especially when they complain with Paul Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Earth is but a reall dungeon though to some it is an imaginary Heaven 2. It is necessary 1. That we seek our good in other enjoyments then this world Who would make his bed upon thornes Who would choose his dwelling on the mast of a ship where winds and stormes and perpetual tossings take away all rest Surely our best enjoyments our best habitation here are no better We project many things and promise much to our selves in Wealth Wife Children Friends Houses Preserments and other things but upon a just account we find all but ciphers which make no summe How often doth Solomon tell us when he had cast up his reckonings that vanity of vanities all is vanity Eccl. 12. 8. And why should we set our eyes then on that which is not Prov. 23. 5. Surely the true light holds sorth better counsel Luk. 12. 33. Provide your selves bags which wax not old a treasure in the heavens that faileth not where no chief approacheth nor mâ—th corrupteth a treasure of Gospel grace the new Covenant the heavenly Promises the Communion of Christ the fellowship of the Spirit and the life of Faith and these will never deceive our expectations It were a good wish if righly minded by the users God send us the light of Heaven 2. Let us prize the light of Christ and make use of it to prevent lessen hear deliver us out of all the present evils Paul had learned to do so Phil. 3. 12 13. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungery both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me It is indeed the inlightening of Christ which clears up all to us in the most stormy and cloudy day it will make us look abroad and travell with strength in our journey and run the race which is set before us and after Pauls sad complaint take up with his conclusion I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7. 25. O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the Law But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. 55 56 57. Every man hath Light from Christ sufficient to make him inexcusable SERM. V. Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world Sect. 1. A Natural Light from Christ is yeilded to be in every man and the Opinions of Freewillers of its sufficiency are set down LIghting every man that cometh into the world is meant either of such light which is by Christ as Creatour termed natural and this is conferred upon all men without exception of any person or of such light as is by Christ as Mediatour and this is conferred though not on every single person yet on all sorts and Nations of men and it is termed supernatural Concerning the former sort of light it is yeilded that there is natural light from Christ given to every man who comes into the world by humane birth ' This light is the light of reason and knowledge agreeable to humane nature which if it were not conferred on every man he should not be rational but should be degraded into the rank of beasts It is true which the Psalmist saith Psal. 49. 20. Man that is in honour and understandeth not is like the beasts that perish But this only shews that man by extinguishing his light doth brutifie himself not that he was without all natural light in his originnl All experience shews that each person even the most natural fool hath some light of reason by which he can apprehend some things pertaining to humane being and some way expresse his mind though in respect of civil or moral or religious affairs he be unteachable All the difficulty is how farre it extends in all or may be improved by them that use it best In this matter there have been various opinions The Pelagians of old are said to have held that each person had so much ability by his own free-will and by his natural light as that he might love God and keep the Law and resist temptations though after by Councils and the writings of adversaries they were driven to yeild a necessity of teaching and outward proposition of divine truths to men to that end Some of the Schoolmen and later Papists do hold that each man hath so much light and power in him that if he do what he can God is ready or bound to give him grace necessary to salvation And this way go Arminians and other assertors of the power of free-will in them that never heard of the Gospel of Christ preached to them conformably whereto in the Pagans debt and Dowry p. 20. it is said
that by a faithfull and carefull use of those natural abilities that light of reason conscience and understanding which every person of mankind under heaven receiveth from God he may and shall receive from him yet further that which shall be of saving import and consequence to him Not much short of these is that French divine of much note who maintains universal grace objective though not subjective that is though there be not such an universal working by illumination or other operation of the Spirit of God so sufficient or effectual as to beget saith in every one yet there is so much revealed to every man even those that have not heard of Christ as might if they would apprehend it beget faith in God to salvation Sect. 2. The Opinion of the Quakers concerning a Light within each man is inquired into Out of the Principles of these men whether instilled by Popish Emissaries which have crept into the English Armies and Churches or some other way that sort of people who now go under the name of Quakers from their usual quaking before they began to speak thereby deluding the people as if they waited for a Revelation from God though most of their speeches of all of them have been their usual invectives against Preachers and pressing men to follow the light within them these people I say have drawn their tenet of an universal light in every man that cometh into the world without Bibles Preachers Church-communion Christian Ordinances to know his duty so as that he may be perfect which is indeed the reviving of old Pelagianism or worse and tends to the making of Christian Religion if not all Religion whatsoever unnecessary Those who heretofore or at this day maintain this universal sufficient light besides these Quakers are many of them subtile disputants and do set down their opinion distinctly and argue for it acutely though they decline the expresse owning of Pelagius his grosser expressions and Puccius his natural faith and Hurberus his universal election But the Quakers as they are for the most part destitute of that art of reasoning so they decline all conference in which they may be pressed to state the point in difference distinctly and to deliver their proofs and answer objections but instead thereof by clamour and reproaches which please their silly followers they reject all motions tending to a fair debate of the point in controversie Being desirous to know what they held one of them brought to me James Nailors Book termed A salutation to the seed of God and Love to the Lost which being in many passages obscure I delivered to him that brought me the Book fifty five Queries to be answered by them yea or no as the person had required of me to answer his Queries The Answer though made by one formerly known to me as a person of some ingenuity and learning yet was framed otherwise then I required declining to answer affirmatively or negatively to the Question as by me propounded but shifting off a plain Answer and instead thereof venting personal invectives Yet to my third Question which was thus Do you believe that those men who were never taught the Doctrine of the Law or of the Gospel of Jesus Christ have commonly a light within each of them which may guide them to the true knowledge of God and his waies unto everlasting life Omitting his words of obloquy thus he answered The Law is spiritual and there is no Nation or people into which the sound of it hath not come and the Gentiles which had not the letter were a law to themselves shewing the effect of the Law written in their hearts And Christ is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world with a spiritual light the one loves this light and brings his deeds to it and by this light is led from his evil deeds into the knowledge of God who is life eternal in Christ to know the other hates the light because his deeds are evil and loves darknesse rather then light and there is his condemnation And their sound who were Ministers of this truth went into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world Rom. 10. 18. In which Answer there is not an expresse resolution of the Question but sundry shifts to avoid a plain Answer as 1. Whereas he asserts that the Law is spiritual Rom. 7. 14. which is the Law of the ten Commandements or the last Precept of the ten and the Apostle ver 9. saith I was alive without the Law once which intimates that he was once without the Law that is without the right knowledge and understanding of it And Rom. 2. 14. the Gentiles of whom my Question was are said twice not to have the Law yet this Answerer asserts There is no Nation or people into which the sound of it hath not come and to avoid the objection arising from the words useth this expression And the Gentiles which had not the letter whereas the words are expresse they having not the Law 2. He patcheth together different Scriptures Joh. 1. 9. Joh. 3. 19 20. as if the light communicated by Christ coming into the world were the same with that with which in his sense he lighteth every man that cometh into the world not heeding that if every man that cometh into the world had a light sufficient to guide him and that even the Gentiles of whom Paul saith Gal. 4. 8. that they knew not God had a spiritual light and that thereby some were led from their evil deeds into the knowledge of God who is life eternal in Christ to know then none were in darknesse contrary to Paul Ephes. 5. 8. none were without Christ or without God in the world contrary to Paul Ephes. 2. 12. then Christ need not come into the world to inlighten men nor sond Ministers of this truth into all the earth sith they had this light before Christ was come into the world to inlighten them with spiritual light and if Christ doth inlighten with this spiritual light every one that cometh into the world there are none but come to the light they having it within them and it doth reprove their deeds whether they will or no. But it is no marvell that men that boast so much of light within them shew so much darknesse of mind in their expressions it being true of them as Christ said of the Pharisees Joh. 9. 41. Because ye say We see therefore your sin or blindnesse remains However it may be hence gathered that this is their conceit That every man that cometh into the world even the Gentiles that had not the letter by which he meanes the holy Scriptures or Bible or any Preacher or Teacher to instruct them out of it yet had from Christ a spiritual light and that one loves this light and brings his deeds to it and by this light is led from his evil deeds into the knowledge of God who is life eternal in
Christ to know the other hates the light because his deeds are evil and loves darknesse rather then light and there is his condemnation Whence it plainly appears that those two points of Pelagianism Popery Arminianism Socinianism and the Frecwill way are their Opinions that every one hath a light within him or there is such revelation imparted to every man in the world that if he would use it he might come to saving knowledge and that it is left to every man by his own free-will to difference himself from others This universal light is so magnified by George Fox in his Catechism that he tels us that it shews all the ungodly waies that ever a man hath acted in and hard speeches with that light a person will come to see Christ the Saviour of his soul from whence the light comes to save him from sin that it brings him to Christ and to confesse him that it gives the knowledge of the God of the world that rules in them that are disobedient to this light that it gives the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ the true knowledge of the Scriptures which light being one in them all and they come to the light and loving the light they all come into fellowship one with another and being out of this they are in jarres and confusions that it lets see sin and transgression which hath separated from God and the Mediatour between God and him and might have peace with him and that he might see Gods Covenant of light and know his reconciler with which he is reconciled to God 1 Tim. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 18. and to see the Kingdom of Heaven that it brings them to love God above all and to fulfill the Law to know their election their bodies to be the temples of the Holy Ghost that they must scoff reproach backbite none nor have malice to any but to be meek and humble with it they come to see the hope of glory to sanctifie the Lord in their hearts that it keeps from error guile all distraction and distemper drunken thoughts imaginations conceivings and his own reasonings In a word they ascribe all to it that we ascribe to the Gospel yea it 's termed the Gospel the first principle of pure religion they that professe to believe the Scriptures in God in Christ yet not believing in this light they deny Christ that neither the Jews nor Christians do believe in the light which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world though they professe some of Christs and the Apostles words that none can confesse Christ but who confesse the light which every man is enlightened withall that they who do not teach this are teachers of the world Antichrists Deceivers that the letter meaning the Scripture is not the light nor the word He denies them to be Christians that cry up Erras Pulpit and the Priesthood and the Temple and the Jews Sabbath and the Ordinances of the first Covenant and that take tithes More to the same purpose is delivered by George Fox Hubberthorn and many more insomuch that Farnworth in his discovery p. 12. saith Loving the light it will guide you to God from all men that you need never look at man more Which is indeed their aim that they may draw off people from Scriptures Preachers Church-fellowship Ordinances pay no dues to Ministers nor submit to any Church-discipline which is that which they call liberty of conscience not considering that if their hearers may be guided by their own light to God that they need not look at man more they need not look at themselves nor meet to hear them nor entertain them to teach them yea that by their reasoning the Quakers themselves shew they do not believe in the light that they deny Christ while they look at Fox Parker Goodier and such Teachers and maintain them and that the divisions between Fox and Naylor and others shew that their light within them is not one but that they are out of the light However they assert 1. That there is a light in every man 2. That this is sufficient to guide them to God of it self 3. That it is a rule to shew duty and sin 4. That there is no need of other teaching of man 5. That this is one in all 6. That it is the Gospel Now because this is the main prop of the new Antichristian Religion or frenzy of the Quakers and leads them into the pernicions courses they take I shall shew 1. What is to be ascribed to the light that is in each man whether from the birth or after imparted to them in this business of guiding us to God 2. That neither is it of it self a safe rule for us to follow in things moral or spiritual nor by any engagement is God tied or hath declared himself resolved to give supernatural light to him that useth this universal light well 3. How the Objections may be answered 4. In what manner Christ imparts supernatural spiritual light to every man Sect. 3. Some light is in the most barbarous yet the knowledge of the most refined Gentiles may be conceived to come from some acquaintance with the written Law or tradition from Adam To clear the first of these proposals it is to be premised 1. That God hath imprinted in all even the most barbarous people some relique of light though in some of them it is so small that it can hardly be perceived whether there be any sense of sin or wrath of duty or reward of God or Devil heaven or hell Sure such people as are men eaters do all at the beck of their witches do seem to have scarce any sense of sin or duty yet because there is some fear of an unseen power and his wrath they may be said to have some conscience though the writing therein be almost defaced 2. That some people that never had the Gospel nor the Law made known to them as the Jewes and Christians have had yet have attained to so much knowledge and practice of moral duties that in some acts of righteousness temperance chastity fidelity and such vertues they have equalled at least in respect of their outward demeanour towards men if not exceeded not only Iewes but also most Christians 3. And in the knowledge of God though therein they were most defective yet they attained to so much knowledge and right apprehension of him as enabled them to correct the vulgar errors concerning God although they were very blinde about the distinct notion of the true God and his counsels 4. Nevertheless that it can hardly be avouched that that knowledge in Morality and Divinity which they attained to was by meer light of nature or by their own study and invention but it may with very probable reason be conceived that they had much of their knowledge of these things by tradition from Adam and acquaintance with the Hebrew people and their written laws or unwritten
thinks to be evil though it were good or lawfull in it self it would be sin to him and so much the greater in that it is a sign that he who doth thus shews that his principle by which he acts is naught even then when he does good and that it is but by accident that he doth it Yea that man who doeth good against his conscience is but an hypocrite in so doing though the thing in it self be right and good But when a man doth evil which his conscience tells him is so he commits a sinne of the highest degree as to him that knows to do good and doth it not to him it is sinne Jam. 4. 17. that is sin in an high degree Hence great horrour of spirit hath attended them that have omitted good which their conscience told them they should do and much more horrour in them that have done evil against their conscience as in the case of Judas Spira and others Instances might be given and therefore if Quakers intended no more then this by bidding men look to the light within them that they should take heed that they omitted not the good their consciences told them they ought to do and that they did not the evil which their consciences judged to be so we should accept of their warning Surely it will concern you as to look that your conscience be not erroneous so that when your conscience is rightly informed to follow it and when it goes wrong yet to suspend the act which it condemns if you desire peace There will be no plea to acquit him before God or to quiet his own spirit who proceeds to act against the light of his own conscience And a sinne against the light of nature is so much the more damnable in that it is against the most irrefragable evidence He that doubteth is damned if he eat because he eateth not of faith For whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14. 23. Every mans Light within him is not a sufficient safe Rule of it self to guide him in the way to God SERM. VI. Containing thirty Arguments out of Scripture against the Quakers Opinion of the sufficiency of a Light in every man to lead him to God Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world YOu have heard how imperfect the light of the Gentiles in things moral and religious is and what the Quakers and others ascribe to the light in every man that cometh into the world and to the free will of man in that condition he now is by nature It will be my work now to prove the Quakers to erre in their making each mans own light within him his Rule yea his compleat safe Rule and Guide to open the meaning of Scripture discover all sorts of sinnes teach all duties lead to God to Christ to Heaven without Scripture Preachers and other helps That it is not such of it self nor to be followed by it self I shall prove by many Arguments and then consider whether God be bound to give men supernatural light to direct men to Christ to him that shall use well his natural The first Argument I take from the point proved in the fourth Sermon before and the texts therein alledged which evince that men as they are born into the world are destitute of spiritual light in the things of God that concern mans duty and the way of salvation whereof some are so expresse that they do directly oppose the position of every mans having a light in him as fit to guide or warrant his actions As namely when it is said that none understandeth none seeketh after God Rom. 3. 11. The natural man cannot know the things of the Spirit of God for they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. Every imagination of the thoughts of mans heart is only evil continuâ—lly from his youth Gen. 6. 5. 8. 21. Every man is bruitish in his own knowledge Jerem. 10. 14. The heart is deceitfull above all things Jerem. 17. 9. Which could not be true if mens light of understanding were such as that each man may follow in all sorts of moral and religious points his own light as a safe and compleat rule or warrant to direct and justifie his way or action The Argument in form is this Their light is not a safe and compleat rule to warrant and guide their actions for pleasing God who understand not nor seek after God who cannot know the things of the Spirit of God whose imaginations of the thoughts of their heart are only evil continually who are bruitish in their own knowledge and whose heart is deceitfull above all things But these things are said of all or some men Therefore every mans light within him is not a safe and compleat rule to warrant and guide his actions for pleasing of God The Proposition none will deny but they that think that a blind man may be a fit guide The Assumption is the words of holy Scripture which G. F. saith in his Catechism p. 56. We are to believe afore learned men The Conclusion then follows of it self 2. Argument is from that which is shewed Sermon fifth That the light which without the Scripture was in the most improved Gentiles in the utmost extent of it was imperfect Whence I argue their light was not a safe and compleat rule or guide to direct or justifie them in their worship of God imaginations of God the knowledge of all sin and duty they owe to God who confessed God to be unknown who ignorantly worshipped him who had a foolish darkned heart about their thoughts of God who judged many sins to be either no sins or laudable acts who took vices to be vertues who had vain and uncertain and contrary conjectures of these things and many of them from the Devils Oracles carried away to dumb Idols as they were led 1 Cor. 12. 2. For a rule and guide should be certain which will not deceive But the most improved Gentiles confessed God to be unknown ignorantly worshipped him with the rest of the things mentioned as Acts 17. 22 23. Rom. 21. 22 23. and elsewhere is manifest Therefore they had not a light within them sufficient to guide them and if not they then much lesse the most barbarous and by consequent none of the Gentiles who had not the Scripture nor such other teaching as Gods people were taught by had a light within them which might be a compleat and safe rule or guide to them for the pleasing of God 3. Argument from John 1. 5 10 11. near to the text which is so much urged by Quakers where it is said The light shineth in darknesse and the darknesse comprehended it not ver 5. The true light mentioned ver 9. was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not He came unto his own and his own received him not ver 10 11. Which proves many of the Jews were
have access to God must be thus transformed renewed put off the old man as the Texts shew Therefore they have not a light within them as a safe sufficient guide to lead them to God 9. Arg. From Psal. 81. 11 12. But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me so I gave them up to their own hearts lust and they walked in their own counsels Act. 14. 16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own wayes Whence I argue That light in man cannot be a safe sufficient guide to a man in his way to God to which the leaving a person by God is reckoned as the greatest curse and judgement for refusing to hearken to God but to leave a person to his own imagination lust to walk in his own counsel in his own way which is all one as to leave him to the light within him is reckoned as the greatest curse and judgement to a man from God for refusing to hearken to Gods voice as the Texts shew Therefore the light within each person is of it self no safe guide The Quakers prescribe to men that as their rule which God counts their curse 10. Arg. From Rom. 16. 25 26. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but now is made manifest and by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the Commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith 1 Cor. 2. 7 8 9. But we speak the wisedome of God in a mystery even the hidden wisedome which God ordained before the world to our glory which none of the Princes of the world knew but as it is written Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Eph. 3. 9. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God Col. 1. 25 25. Whereof I am made a Minister according to the dispensation of God to fulfill the word of God even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his Saints 2 Tim. 1. 9. The purpose and grace of God is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath brought immortality and life to light by the Gospel Whence I argue They had not a light in them as a sufficient safe guide to God from whom the mystery was hid which concerned the grace and purpose of God into whose heart the things which God had prepared for them that love him entered not to whom life and immortality was not brought to light But from the Gentiles the mystery of God was hid life and immortallity was not brought to light nor did the things God had prepared for them that love him enter into their hearts Therefore they had not a light within them as a sufficient guide to God 11. Arg. From 1 Cor. 2. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Rom. 8. 9. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ the same is none of his Jude 19. Having not the Spirit Joh. 14. 17. The Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive Whence I argue They have not light within them sufficient to guide them to God who have not the Spirit of God because they cannot know the things of God without the Spirit But every man hath not the Spirit of God Therefore every man hath not a light within sufficient to guide him to God 12. Arg. From Mat. 11. 27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Joh. 14. 6. Jesus saith unto him I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father but by me Whence I argue They had not a light within them to guide them to God to whom the Son did not reveal the Father who did not go by the Son as the way to the Father But the Son did not reveal the Father to every man nor did every man come to Christ Joh. 1. 5. 10. 12. 38. 5. 40. 43. Therefore every man had not a light within him sufficient to guide him to God 13. Arg. From Mat. 11. 25 26. At that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 13. 11. It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdome of heaven but to them it is not given Whence I argue If God hide the things of God which concern the knowledge of himself from some and reveal them to others if to some be given to know the mysteries of the kingdome of heaven not to others then every man hath not a light within him as a sufficient guide to direct him to God But the antecedent is true as the Texts shew and the consequence is evident of it self Therefore the consequent is also true 14. Arg. From those Texts which speak of Christ as a light come into the world Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Joh. 8. 12. Then Jesus spake again to them saying I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life Joh. 9. 5. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil Luk. 1. 78. Through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death Luk. 2. 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles which would have been needless if every man had a light within him befoâ—e Christ his coming into the world sufficient to guide him in the way to God Yea the Text supposeth persons in darkness before to sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to have need of another light without them to guide their feet into the way of peace and that the Gentiles were without light Whence I argue That opinion which makes the coming of Christ into the world to be the light of the world needless is an errour But the opinion of the Quakers concerning a light
learned and unlearned ones it is as safe a way which the unlearned and foolish follow as that which the wise and learned follow in matters of Religion and moral behaviour He that is counted unlearned and foolish if he follow his own light doth as well as he that is never so wise or learned Whereas Solomon tells Eccl. 2. 13 14. Then I saw that wisdome excelleth folly as farre as light excelleth darkness the wise mans eyes are in his head but the fool walketh in darkness 8. If every mans light within him be a sufficient safe guide in his way to God then the Philosophers light afore they had the Gospel preached to them was a sufficient safe guide to them for sure they had as much light within them without the Scripture as any and did improve it to the utmost and the Iewish Rabbins besides the natural light in them did by the study of the Law and tradition of Elders endeavour to attain to the knowledge of God Yet saith the Apostle to the Greeks that sought after wisdome the preaching of Christ crucified was foolishness insomuch that the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. 20 21. useth this exprobration Where is the wise Where is the disputer of this world Hath not God made foolish the wisdome of this world For after that in the wisdome of God the world by wisdome knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 9. If every mans light within him were a sufficient safe guide to him in Religion and morality then do all Law-makers ill to put any Laws on them to restrain them from doing what they like then do Iudges ill in passing sentences of condemnation of them then do men ill to reprove them Parents Tutors Schoolmasters ill to teach them otherwise then is all Government and Magistracy unprofitable Rulers are not Ministers of God to us for good but only to molest and oppress us then they that set their children to School do foolishly Universities and Schools of Arts to breed them up in literature and good manners are vain and all these are to be abolished which were a way to lay all waste to level people as well in manners and knowledge as estates to reduce us to barbarism to make the nation a wilderness yea to depopulate it and in fine drive away the Spirit of God from us and introduce unclean spirits to repossess us and our Land It is such a course as tends to expell all that is excellent and may better us and to fill the Nation with a generation of fools in whom God hath no pleasure Eccl. 5. 4. and doth by consequent condemn all the men of worth in the world since the Creation of folly and blindness 10. Lastly If every man have a light within him which is a sufficient safe guide to him then I suppose they will grant that I have such a light within me and if every man is to follow this light then I am to follow my light in me Now my light within me shews me that the Quakers opinion about the light in them is an errour that they pervert fouls by bidding men follow it and draw them off from making the Scriptures their rule terming it disparagingly the letter and oppose Preachers reviling them openly thwarting them and molesting them in their work of teaching the people out of the Scripture and this is not only my light but the light of millions of men besides me Yea I think all the sober men of the world that ever were have found by experience their own darkness and ignorance and have groaned under it bewailing it to God and applying themselves to the use of such meanes as might bring light into their soules Out of all which I conclude that this opinion of Quakers which I have refuted is the most sottish opinion that ever was hatched instilled into them by the prince of darkness not by the Spirit of God and tends to the dissolution both of religious discipline and civil government yet they say or rather brawl somewhat for their opinion which is now to be considered Sect. 2. Objections of Quakers for the universality and sufficiency of light in men are answered That which they most urge is the Text Joh. 1. 9. which makes not for them nor against us who deny not that every man hath a light from Christ but the kinde of it that it is spiritual and the sufficiency of it that of it self it is a safe guide to God Of which enough is said before They alleadge also Luk. 17. 21. Where it is said to the Pharisees Behold the kingdome of God is within you Therefore in every man Whereto I answer 1. That the particle translated within you may be as well and to my apprehension more truly rendered among you which is the translation in the Margin 2. That the sense is the kingdome is not to be expected as a future thing but as it is Mat. 12. 28. The kingdome of God is come unto you Luk. 11. 20. The kingdome of God is come upon you Luk. 10. 9. The kingdome of God is come nigh unto you Which is not meant of light within but the preaching of the Gospel or the presence of the Messiah who was among them Joh. 1. 26. without them the light within each man cannot be meant by the kingdome of God For the kingdome of God is a thing that was not afore Christs appearance in the flesh and was taken from the Iewes and given to the Gentiles Mat. 21. 43. which is not to be said of the light within every man Nor is it said the kingdome of God is in every man but within or among you Pharisees or Iewes to whom the Gospel was at first sent For John the Baptist preached Mat. 3. 2. The kingdome of heaven is at hand and Christ went preaching the Gospel of the kingdome Mat. 4. 17. and Mat. 11. 12. From the dayes of John the Baptist the kingdome of heaven is forced Mat. 13. 10. Every one that heareth the word of the kingdome Which and many Scriptures shew that the kingdome of God is not extended to every man nor every hearer but to those that hear the Gospel and receive it It is alledged that the Apostle saith Rom. 2. 14 15. That the Gentiles who had not the law did by nature the things of the law these having not the law are a law unto themselves Whereto I answer that it is true of the Gentiles that their own consciences were a law unto themselves but not so far as to convert or guide them to God but to accuse or excuse them to themselves as the very next words shew Who shew the work of the law written in their hearts their consciences bearing them witness and their thoughts between themselves accusing or excusing It is alledged that it is said Col. 1. 23. That the Gospel hath been preached to every creature under heaven therefore every one hath the light within him
them to himself but only his eternall power and godhead which are understood by the things that are made v. 20. and the evill of some sins and necessity of some duties Rom. 2. 14. and that the effect of these is not conversion to God but inexcusableness Rom. 1. 20. and 2. 15. 5. If the Scripture term those times wherein the Gospell was not Preached to the Gentiles nor the written Law or Prophets sent to them the times of ignorance which God winked at or overlooked and by the Apostles then commanded every man every where to repent suffering all Nations in times past to walk in their own wayes then he did not by his acts of common providence sufficiently direct men to attain to his grace But the antecedent is true Acts 14. 16. and 17. 30. Therefore also the consequent If it be said that Acts 14. 17. it is said Nevertheless he left not himself without witness in that he did good and gave us rain from Heaven and fruitfull seasons filling our hearts with foode and gladness and Acts 17. 25. that he giveth to all life and breath and all things that he made all Nations of one bloud for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath deterwined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation that they should seek the Lord if happily they might seek after him though he be not farre from every one of us v. 26. 27. It is granted but it is denied that the thing witnessed thereby was that gracious and good affection which he beares unto the world through Jesus Christ his inclination unto peace with men upon their repentance as the said Pagans debt p. 12. For those acts of providence do not so much as shew that by one meanes or other God is taken off from the rigor of his justice and severity of his wrath against sinners but only that he deferres it nor is it true that what is related Acts 14. 17. is all the Evangelicall Doctrine Preached at Lystra by Paul for it is said before v. 7. that they were at Lystra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Preacbing the Gospel Nor is it consequent that because the Apostle faith Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh unto God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently him that therefore this is all the faith or beliefe that the Apostles makes simply and absolutely necessary to bring a man unto God i. e. into grace or favour with him nor is it true For then many of the Gentiles had been brought into Gods favour without faith in Christ contrary to Eph. 2. 12. John 14. 6. Acts 4. 12. 1 John 5. 11 12. 6. If the grace of God given us in Christ before the times of ages were manifested by the appearing of Christ who abolished death and brought life and immortality or incorruption to light by the Gospel then it is supposed this grace was not to be seen before But the former is true 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. therefore also the latter 7. If it were so that the acts of Gods beneficence Acts 14. 17. testified his gracious affection unto the world through Jesus Christ then we might believe by reasoning without Preaching but that is contrary to Rom. 10. 14 15 17. Ergo 8. If there were no more faith absolutely necessary to bring a man to God then the belief of Gods being and reward of diligent seeking then a faith short of belief in Christ would purifie the heart and save yea workes would save for such a faith would be accepted only by reason of the workes it produceth But this takes away the main end of the Gospel Which tels us that we are saved by faith not by workes that all might be of grace and boasting might be excluded and Christ might be all in all Eph. 2. 7 8 9. Eph. 1. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 29 30 31. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Tit. 3. 4 5. therefore that opinion is to be rejected as making Christianity unnecessary and morall Philosophy sufficient to salvation Sect. 4. Application to move us Gentiles to rejoyce in this light and not to rest on humane reason As for us Christian Gentiles it concerns us 1. To magnifie the rich grace of God in causing the Lord Christ to come as a light to the Gentiles Oh let all that love the salvation of God admire exult glorifie God for his mercy as it is written For this cause will I confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy name And again he saith rejoyce ye Gentiles with his people and again praise the Lord all ye Gentiles and laud him all ye people and again Esaias saith There shall be a root of Jesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles trust Rom. 15. 9 10 11 12. There are a company of bastard Christians or rather Hypocriticall Atheists risen up who talk I know not whether they believe themselves as if every man might be saved in his own religion or in his own opinion though there be no religion in him if he live honestly he of a fair civll debonaier behaviour though these secretly follow their own lusts and when it is for their advantage slight rules of justice and temperance These count the knowledge of Christ preaching of the Gospel zeal for the purity of Gods worship and service and Doctrine of Christ superfluous and therefore are so far from magnifying the love of God in sending Christ to be a light to the Gentiles that they rather profanely deride the esteem of it and hate those Preachers and zealous Christians who earnestly urge men to follow the light of Christ as an eyesore to them disquieting and vexing them who mind only their own pleasure and profit and would not be disturbed by any discourse of God or Christ Heaven or Hell or judgment to come were such persons sensible of the state of the world afore Christs comming in the flesh the barbarous rudeness the abominable idolatry the horrible cruelty the beastly uncleanness the notorious perfidiousness that the best of those Nations were inured to they would prize more the light of Christ and preaching of the Gospell However it be with such as are either naturally or voluntarily blind or judicially blinded so as the light of the glorious Gospell of Jesus Christ doth not shine unto them yet you who have been once enlightned and have tasted of the good gift of God and of the powers of the world to come methinks should take heed how you let the relish of Gods goodness and memory of his loving kindness in giving Christ to be your light be lost We may justly and should if we were sensible of our benefit have a new song in our mouths even a song of thanksgiving to our God and joyn in comfort with the Prophet our praecentor Isa. 54. 1. Sing O barren thou that didst not bear break forth into singing and cry aloud thou that didst not
light of the Scripture and endeavour to make odious the teachers of it If they cannot prevail to keep it from men in a strange language they will corrupt it with false glosses if they cannot suppress Preachers they will render them suspected or infamous if they cannot shut out the light of Scripture and Preaching they will set something else in competition with it as the Authority of the Church a Council Pope tradition light within each or some other thing to hide the light from shining forth Therefore it chiefly concerns men in these times wherein men are exceeding busie to pervert and thereby to darken the truth to be very diligent and circumspect in examining by the Scripture what they hear their doctrine is the fruit by which false Prophets are to be known Mat. 7. 15 16. If they speak not according to the Scripture it is because there is no light in them Is. 8. 20. 4. Use should be made of the Ministers appointed to teach us by him who ascended up on high and gave gifts to men Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of the body of Christ that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive but speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things unto him who is the head even Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 14 15. Certainly nothing more prevents the practices of deceivers then learning from a solid Ministry and associating with sober and stable Christians 2. To move us to make use of Christ as the true light it is necessary that we should become sensible of our own darkness If ye were blinde saith Christ Joh. 9. 41. ye should have no sin but now ye say we see therefore your sin remaineth Because thou faist I am rich and encreased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and blinde and naked I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou maist be rich and white raiment that thou maist be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that thou maist see Rev. 3. 17 18. They that apprehend a light within them without Christ are incurably blind such fond imaginations lock men fast up under invincible ignorance As he said that to be incredulous is the sinews of wisdome so may I say that to be jealous of our own darkness is the readiest way to drive us to Christ the true light Experience will tell us that they who talk as if they knew as much as Preachers can tell them are found when tried the most ignorant sots and those who are so well conceited of their own strength and wisdome as to count the counsel and warning of others unnecessary bidding them not care for them are soon caught by cunning deceivers To become a wise improver of Christs light it is of great moment to discern our own blindeness and then a Christian learns most when he findes his own ignorance Such sense of our own emptiness begets an appetite to wholesome doctrine when such as conceive themselves full have no stomack to the most precious truths of Iesus Christ but are filled with windy vanities 3. It concerns those to Whom the light of Christ is held forth not to shut their eyes against it when held before them For this saith our Lord Joh. 3. 19 20. is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evill For every one that doth evill hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved And indeed it is the signe of a man that is filthy and resolved to be filthy of a man incurable and marked to destruction who shuns that light which should direct him to discerne his errour and to learn his way Nor can there be a greater indignity to Christ then when he is come into the world to be one light to have our minds possessed with a resolution not to receive it 4. If the light shine into thy soul from Christ so as that any convictions or discoveries of truth from Christ get into thee take heed that thou hold it not in unrighteousness nor seek to quench it The wrath of God saith the Apostle Rom. 1. 18. is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men that hold the truth in unrighteousness Where lust imprisons light Where corrupt affections put out the Lamp of truth there is no entrance of the light of Christ into that soul. 5. The light must be believed as our Lord Christ saith John 12. 36. While we have light we are to believe in the light that we may be children of light Believing the words of Christ is indeed the reception of Christ as our light When we entertain the Gospell of Christ we do behold with open face as through a glass the glory of the Lord and are transformed into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. The more steddily we eye Christ the more assimilated we shall be to him His Doctrine will fashion our minds his example will direct our practise so as that in a good sense we shall be christed with Christ he will be in us and we in him one with us and we with him not we live but Christ live in us Faith is the Loadstone of the soul which drawes the soul to Christ and makes a man to be as he was in this world crucified risen ascending up with him dead to the world living unto God 6. There must be a love of the light It s the greatest sign of a man willfully evill when he hates the light and its a good sign of a man truly good when he can delight in that light which discovers his own evils Christ hath therefore determined this to be the great condemnation that men love darkness rather then light for that 's the sign they side with the Prince of darkness and that men that do the truth come to the light that their deeds may be manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. The more light is rejected the more purely voluntary any sin is when men are willingly ignorant they are incurably evill But the more love and delight there is in the light of truth the more freely it is chosen and more fully imbraced Light is a most delightfull quality unless it be to illaffected eyes and so is truth to all but such as are of vitiated spirits the more Heavenly the light is the more pure and so the truth of Christ the Lord from Heaven is the clearest truth and most amiable Moses gave a Law but in shadowes Christ the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the
Father he hath declared God and his will without obseurity He was full of grace and truth then which nothing is more lovely and therefore the more the averseness is from the Gospel of Christ the more estrangedness there is from the life of God and the more the light of Christ is entertained the more of the love of God dwels in that person 7. That a man have light from Christ it is needfull he should awake out of sleep Eph. 5. 14. A careless soul that 's heedless of what truth is held forth that snorts securely and dreams sweetly of peace when there is no peace is no more capable of benefit by the light of Christ then a man that 's of a drousie sleepy head that folds his hands and mindes nothing but his bed and pillow Of using bodily light not only sore eyes but also drousie heads are offended with light Watching is necessary to the use of Christian light which being neglected the Prince of darkness easily bindes the hands and shaves the hair as Dalilah did Sampsons which makes his strength depart from him To keep our soules safe it is needfull we keep our eyes waking and to pray with the Psalmist Lighten mine eyes that I sleep not the sleep of death Ps. 13. 3. 8. To this must be joyned standing up from the dead Eph. 5. 14. Graves and Vaults for dead bodies are not fit receptacles of light To be among men who have no spirituall life in their soules to be associated with meer carnall worldlings voluptuous Epicures proud selfish men is as inconsistent with the injoyment of the light of Christ as for a seeing man to lye among the dead which are cut off from Gods hand A child of light will have little but darkness from such unholy soules as are full of darkness yea doubtless such company will by their own reasonings and Satans sophistry blow out the light of Christ that it shine not where they are Hence it is that among such persons all discoveries of sin or duty Gods counsell or Covenant Christ and his Church Heaven and Hell are tedious No talk or action among such is more acceptable then that which proceeds from an earthly spirit Scripture truth holy Sermons spirituall experiences are unsuitable to that mirth they delight in those contents that please them those ends they aim at Whence it is that they put out that light which crosseth their designes and wish that neither God did see them nor Christ judg them nor Preachers teach them nor any Saint converse with them Doubtless then a soul that affects these cannot long endure such quench-coales nor joyn with such extinguishers but as he is made a child of light so chooseth to be with them in whom is light 9. It will concerne those who own Christ as their light to judg themselves and their wayes by his light It is the great benefit of light that it doth not make manifest Eph. 5. 13. And thus by the light of Christ the evill of our wayes is reproved the wayes of God approved we know the righteousness of God and our unrighteousness Now this is no small benefit to have light to discerne our own errors which without light from Christ we should never have unstood It is our advantage that God covers our sins and we discover them He that is ignorant of them cannot correct them but walks on in them without shame or sorrow as a man that walks in the night neither sees how foul his cloathes are nor knowes how to make them clean Hence it comes to pass that for want of light the carriage of most is so unhandsome and unlike the Gospell that they not only shame themselves but also cause others to stumble A wise Christian therefore will be often judging himself by the light of law discovering his transgressions and the light of the Gospel shewing his estate in Christ. 10. It will be needfull not only to use the light of Christ to judg our selves by but also to order our actions by I am the light of the world saith Christ John 8. 12. be that followeth me shall not walk in darkness There cannot be unsafe walking by Christs light there is no danger when Christ our light goes before Walk in the light saith Christ while ye have the light lest darkness come upon you John 12. 35. How many millions are there of soules perplexed and tortured all their life with feares and doubts for want of walking by the light of Christ in Scripture and chosing rather to walk by a light and sparkes of their own kindling which in the end either goes quite out or burnes so dimme as to leave them in darkness of spirit and horrour of conscience And no marvell sith it is Gods just judgment that such as neglect the light Preached should follow the mares of humane reason the examples customes dictates of men and in conclusion lye down in sorrow Isai. 50. 11. such foolish fires will lead to nothing but bogs and praecipices But Christ the true light when his Gospell is followed guides the feet of men into the way of peace Luke 1. 79. Oh that then all that talke of the light within them would follow the light about them even the light of Christs Gospel and example whereby the greatest security is obtained and the surest advancement with God sith he that followes Christ his light shall be where he is Then would men walk honestly or decently in good fashion not in banquetings and drunkennesses not in chamberings and wantonnesses not in strife and envying if they would put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not make provision of the flesh unto lusts Rom. 13. 13 14. 11. The light of Christ is to be used as our weapons or tooles to defend our selves or to work with The night is over the day hath approached let us therefore put off the workes of darkness and put on the armour of light Rom. 13. 12. The truth is light is the chiefest instrument for safety and work If a man be without light he can neither defend himself nor offend an enemy If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of this world But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him saith christ John 11. 9 10. I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day the night cometh when no man can work John 9. 4. As the bodily light is given us by God to fight and work so spirituall light is given us by Christ to fight the good fight of Christ and to do the workes of God He then that would make use of Christs light must be armed with his Doctrine that he may be able to repel Satans fiery darts and expel him as Christ did by the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God Eph. 6. 17. And he that would improve the light must be doing that business which the word of Christ directs him to and to that end it must dwell richly in him in all wisedome Col. 3. 16. Their own light in men makes them rather wranglers with others sometimes the best as is seen in Quakers then contenders against their own lusts and moves them to disturb others in their work and to be busie bishops in anothers diocese rather then to lookinto their own charge but the light of Christ directs us to steddy to be quiet and do our own business 1 Thess. 4. 11. 12. And Lastly Make use of the light of Christ for thy comfort and rejoycing The light of the eyes rejoyceth the heart Prov. 15. 30. Truly the light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is to behold the Sun Eecl 11. 7. But the light of Christ his Gospel doth far more rejoyce the heart and is much more delightfull to the soul then bodily light can be to the eyes It is it which removes doubts griefs fears despair in life and at death Oh how sweetly might men live how comfortably might they dye if they did make use of it Light within you whatever Quakers tell you will leave you in perplexity when you shall have most need of comfort But if you believe in the light of Christ as it is held out to you in the Gospel you shall see the light of life Be perswaded to disclaime the pretended new light within you as your sufficient guide to God and choose the light of Christ from Heaven in his Gospel to walk by and it will guide and comfort you surely and sweetly to eternal life FINIS 2 Pet. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 4. 2.