him in his natural birth whereby he is enbabled to see himself quite thorow and to know all his own inward motions and outward actions and to look upon things that are made without and upon a Law of works within written in his heart and thereby we know something of his Creator and of his own dutie what is right to be done â—â—d not only so but by reflecting upon that Law he may see the regularitie or inregularitie of his own actions and according to their conformitie or non-conformitie thereto may have peace a legal peace or trouble in his conscience and this it may do where Christ as the way the truth and the life is not so much heard of thus it was with Adam the light and Law within him first convinceth him of sin troubles and torments him so that he runs to hide himself from the presence of God Gen. 3. 10. I was afraid and hid my self before the promise of grace was held forth in the seed of the woman ver 15. And thus having declared how much is to be acknowledged concerning the light within common to all men whereby it evidently appears to be a great an excellent and in many respects a very necessarie light I proceed to speak of the second branch namely What the remaining Light in every man cannot do But first by the way it ought to be remembred that the light whereof we speak whether we respect the Candle-Light of mans spirit or the Light of the Law written in his heart is a natural Light that is a Light that is in the nature of all men for though it be true that if this Light be considered abstractly and apart or with respect to its Author and efficient cause the Father of Lights and Spirits it is Spiritual in which sence not only the Law as the Apostle speaks Rom. 7. 14. but all Light whatsoever may be called Spiritual yet when this Light is considered as united to its subject and by the Law of Creation according to the good pleasure of the Creator put into the nature of man for the enabling him as a man to perform that obedience which God requires of him for his own glory thus it is a natural Light or a Light flowing from the principles of nature without which as was said before there could not be a man so that as there is a natural man 1 Cor. 2. 14. a natural mind a natural understanding a natural conscience so is there a natural Light in man This is evident from the Apostles words Rom. 2. 14. For when the Gentiles that is unconverted Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law to themselves Mark here they do the things contained in the Law but how the Apostle answers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by nature that is by the Light of nature or by natural internal Light there being no other inward guide but Light so when the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 11. 14. Doth not nature it self teach c. It must be understood of inward Light which is natural and it remains that I shew what this Light cannot do Notwithstanding this Light of nature remaining in man since the fall be an excellent Light and very useful as hath been said yet in several respects it is â—o deficient and useless even in those things that concern his everlasting happiness that unless the help of a greater Light be given in for his reliefe he will perish everlastingly For first it is utterly unable to bring any man to life that doth most exactly obey and follow it its true the Law which is a Light in a natural mans heart was ordained to life that is to be a Rule which if man had obeyed he should have had life as a just and equal reward of his obedience according to that of the Apostle Rom. 7. 10. The Commandment which was ordained to life c. and Rom. 4 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of Grace but of debt And this was the tenor of the Law Do and live as the Scripture testifies Rom. 10. 5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them But when sin entred into the world by Adam and death by sin and so passed upon all men for that all have sinned in him according to Rom. 5. 12. Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whom all have sinned Now I say Adam is driven out of Paradice and a flaming sword that turns every way guards the way of the Tree of Life that neither he nor any of his posterity over whom the death reigned though they had not sinned after the similitude of Adamâ— transgression Rom. 5. 14. could enter into the Life by the Gate of doing or working as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 3. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight for now all being under sin Rom. 3. 9. and subject to the judgement of God Rom. 3. 19. the Law can only make known the transgression to the sinner Rom. 3. 20. for by the Law is the knowledge of sin but cannot offer the least help grace mercy compassion or life it wounds him and leaves him but pours in neither oyle nor wine that 's the work of Jesus Christ the good Samaritan by whom comes grace and truth John 1. 17. it knows nothing but pure Justice can speak nothing but wrath and the curse to the offender according to that Rom. 4. 15. Because the Law worketh wrath Gal. 3. 10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them Nay though Adam after the first transgression had turned or any of his posterity should turn to the Candle-light of their own spirit within them and by the help thereof to the Light of the Law written in their hearts and should most exactly obey it as their Rule and never offend it more which neverthelesels since the fall it is imposble for any man to do yet so weak is the Law that it could not give them life as the holy Spirit testifieth Gal. 3 21. If there had been a Law given which could have given life verily righteousness should have been by the Law And Gal. 2. 21. If righteousness come by the Law then is Christ dead in vain I say such is the weakness of the Law that it cannot give life not in respect of it self for it is holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. and able to give life to the doers of it but in respect of its subjects who through the weakness of the flesh cannot fulfil it Rom. 8. 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through
perish but have everlasting life The knowledge of this Law sprung not up with mankind in nature it was not written in the heart of natural man as a thing just and equal Adam's Light onely shewed him what was just to be done and when he had sinned convinced him and passed sentence upon him and there left him in his misery not affording any direction or help for his recovery which made him fear and hide himself Gen. 3. 10. Then was the great fountain of free Grace opened and by the occasion of the transgression and misery of man this Law of Faith was added and founded upon Christ in that Gracious Promise Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the Serpent this Law is not natural but supernatural not springing up together with man as that of works but added to shew the exceeding riches of the Grace of God in his kindness to poor sinners through Jesus Christ Eph. 2. 7. which is as farr above the reach of a natural man to know as the Heavens are above the Earth yea as the thoughts of God are above the thoughts of man Though vain man would be wise yet he is born like a wild Asses Colt Job 11. 12. It s above the reach of his reason to conceive how Faith in a crucified Christ should be the way to save a sinner and hence it is that the preaching of a Christ crucified for the obedience of Faith is to the Greekes soolishness 1 Cor. 1. 23. he is not able by all his Candle-light to discover this misterie of the hidden wisdom of God according to that divine Testimonie 1 Cor. 2. 9 14. Eye hath not seen nor Eare heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned the truth hereof will yet further appear by considering that Querie Acts 2. 37. Men and brethren what shall we do and that of the Gaoler Acts 16. 30. Sirs what must I do to be saved which do clearly argue that these men now prict in their hearts and wounded in their consciences had no sufficient Light nor understanding to direct themselves to a remedie and therefore they ask What shall we do And as this Light cannot discover the Law of Faith so it cannot convince any man that his not believing in Christ is a sin this is the proper work of the Spirit the Comforter as the Scripture testifies John 16. 7 8 9. Nevertheless I tell you the truth it is expedient that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you and when he is come he will reprove or convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment of sin because they believe not in me c. In as much then as it is clearly manifest that the natural man with all his Light is unable to reach these great misteries this gives occasion to speak somewhat briefly of that light which can reveal and make them manifest which will be found to be a Light as far exceeding the Light of the natural man in glory as the ministration of the Gospell exceeds the ministration of the Law in glory 2 Cor. 3. 11. For if that which is done away be glorious how much more that which remaineth is glorious as the things discovered to wit the glorious Gospell of Christ the knowledg of the glory that is the goodness and mercy of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. are more glorious so is the Light discovering them hence it is called the marvellous Light of God 1. Pet. 2. 9. and it is no other then the Light of Christ Jesus as Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. which doth irradiate the soul of man with the knowledg of these great misteries agreeable to that of the Psalmist Psal 36. 9. In thy Light we shall see Light He is given to be a Light of the Gentiles Acts 13. 47. He only being in the Bosome of the Father can reveal him according as himself doth witness Math. 11. 27. Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Joh. 1. 18. No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the Bosome of the Father he hath declared Him The invisible and inaccessable God coming down in the man Christ Jesus which is the great misterie of godliness God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. makes all the glory of his goodness and mercy to appear in the Face of Jesus Christ as he said to Moses Exo. 33. 19. I will make all my goodness to pass before thee hence he is said to be the brightness of his glory Heb. 113. now as Christ is the shining forth of the Fathers glory so it is he only that shines into the hearts of all that believe on him the Light of the konwledge of the glory of God as in the first creation God made all things by the word so in the new creation or new creature all things wrought by the Word made flesh who is the one Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. and the great Agent by which Christ workes is his Holy Spirit that Spirit which the world never saw nor can receive Joh. 14. 17. By this Spirit sent forth he doth reveal the misterious things of the Gospel even the hidden wisdom of God concerning Christ and the new creature which was not written in the heart of man nor could be known by the wisdom of this world as it is evident in 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. 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 but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God now we have received not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of god that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God thus the same Apostle saith that his knowledg in the misterie of Christ was revealed unto him by the Spirit Eph. 3. 4 5. Christ doth no other way inlighten the eye of the understanding but by his Spirit Eph. 1. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him the eyes of your understanding being inlightned c. This is that Spirit that teacheth all things John 14. 26. that guides into all truth Joh. 16. 13. And because none but new creatures can receive this new
made flesh as ver 14. or as the Word is God manifest in the flesh as 1 Tim. 3. 16. or as the Word is in union with the humane nature according to his name Emmanuel Matth. 1. 23. Let the impartial and unprejudiced Reader consider what is said in every verse and I doubt not but he will finde it according to the report given as in the 2 verse it is said The same was in the beginning that is the same Word God distinct from the humanity and so it is in the verse following As in the 3. verse All things were made by him that is by the Word God in the 4. verse In him was life and the life was the light of men That is God the Word the Creator who gives life and light to all men according to that in Acts 17. 28 29. In him we live move and have our being and we are all his off-spring in the 5. verse And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not That is The Word God as it is explained in the 10. verse He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not Though the Word the Creator shined as light in the world and was not far from every one of us as the Apostle speaks Acts 17. 27. and had set up a Candle in them whereby the eternal power and Godhead might be known by the things that were made yet such was the darkness of men that they did not comprehend and acknowledge him In the 7. and 8. verses it 's said John was sent to bear witness of that light that is of the Word God to wit that God the Word was come to manifest himself in the flesh he bare witness that the light which was in the world and by whom the world was made and whom the world knew not was now come to appear in the flesh It 's true that John also bare witness of Christ in both natures as when the Word was made flesh verse 14. it 's said in the 15. verse John bare witness of him and afterward when he saw Jesus coming unto him he saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world verse 29. Where he speaks of him as the Word made flesh and Tabernacled amongst us But in the verses before mentioned he onely asserts and proves his Divinity In like manner are we to understand the 9 verse That was the true light that is the Word God the Creator and former of all things Isa 40. 28. was to wit in the beginning for thither the Verb in the Original in every verse doth carry us the true light not a borrowed or derived light but the fountain and original of all light according to that Scripture 1 Joh. 1. 5. God is light and in him is no darkness at all This I say is proper to the Creator who is the fountain of Life and Light to all beings according to their capacities whereas Christ as Mediator deriveth Light from the Father as he doth Life and Subsistance as he himself doth witness Joh. 6. 57. I live by the Father c. And thus we see who this true light is Viz. The Word God And hence it may be that the word Christ is not once named in any of the first 9. verses of the first of John but only the Word 2. How doth he lighten every man that cometh into the World The Word God or God the Word as Creator of all things doth lighten every man that cometh into the world by setting up in every man a Spirit by which he lives which is called the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. and by writing a Law in his heart of which Spirit and Law I have spoken before This is a true and faithful account of the Light that Lightens every man But doth not Christ say expresly Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the World and is not the Word and the true light of whom John bare witness Christ That the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World is the Word as such I have already proved And further I say according to Joh. 1. 14. That the Word was made flesh and tabernacled amongst men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father and being imbodied in flesh he is thenceforth and so considered called Christ the Lord or the Lords Christ Luke 2. 11 26. For unto us in born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ And no otherwise doth he bear that name but as he is the Word made flesh to be seen and beleeved on it is not the Word alone nor the flesh alone but the Word and flesh in union that is called Christ Joh. 1. 41. We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ And is a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 26 32. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel Till then there was no such thing as a Christ or a light to the Gentiles but only in a promise The Word being thus made flesh manifested and seen 1. Joh. 1. 2. brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel by his appearing 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Now that purpose of grace and love which was in the Fathers bosom before the world began which was promised Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the serpent and from that time believed and expected by all the faithful appears by this manifestation of God in the flesh Tit. 2. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared And 3. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared c. And thus is Christ said to come a light into the world not to lighten every man that comes into the world but onely those that believe on him according to that testimony Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness This also is that light mentioned Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light And Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the world c. This Word made flesh is