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
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
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
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
the Quakers Church if they have any is but about ten or twelve years old at utmost unless the Weigelians Paracelsians Behmenists and the rest of the Fanaticks in Germany or the Familists in England and New-England may be accounted their progenitors And yet their Church will not be found to be of two hundred years continuance Indeed Stubbe Sir H. Vane's egregious Vindicator had neither wit nor modesty nor fear enough to restrain him from telling the world in his malice pag. 36. that it was ignorantly said of me that The Quakers had no being in the world till a few years ago and the Gnostick adds that as to the generality of their opinions and deportment he doth AVOW it out of as sure and good records as any can be produced that they can plead more for themselves from the first two hundred seventy years then Mr. Baxter for the present orthodox Religion laid down in the Saints Everlasting Rest or the Confession of the Assembly But when will the undertaker produce these Records Such a heart and face might have served him to avow that the holy Apostles were railing lying Quakers or whatever filthiness had come into his thoughts Some of their abominable opinions and practices have troubled the world since the Romish iniquity did abound but no times were freer from them then the first and none more unlike to them then Christ and his Apostles however Satan would gain credit to his impieties or discredit to the Gospel by his apish imitations The witness of their late Leader James Nailor is regardable who in his Recantation saith that they are Unclean Spirits gene out from the unity of the truth and light by which we have been called and gathered into one Christ Jesus the Head over all his blessed for ever whose name hath been greatly dishonoured by many wilde actings and his innocent Spirit grieved and many simple souls deceived and that the work of the murderer and devourer is therein against the life of God in his Temple which though they seek entrance under pretence of humility promising some great things and more holiness in that way to steal into simple minds yet being got in exalts himself above the seed of God and tramples the meek spirit under foot And by this saith he you shall all perceive that Spirit whatever it pretends it will secretly withdraw your entire love from the flock of God already gathered and cool your affections and zeal towards their present meetings and if you judge it not there it will grow on with an evil eye to spie out for their failings and to delight to hear of them with an hidden joy whispering them to others and adding thereunto with a desire to see them broken and their nakedness laid open if anything be amiss And thus it hath wrought in a mystery of wickedness in some unjudged untill it be seated in the throne of open enmity and strife against the Lambs of Light preferring the society ef the prophane before them and taking part therewith against them joyning to any who seek to scatter them And whatever pretence this Spirit covers it sellf with this I declare against it having been kept by the good hand of God to see it revealed in its ground and end that it is the old Spirit of the Ranters which now in a new way makes head against the Light of Christ and life of the Cross which is the only thing that stands in its way by condemning its filthiness in every conscience Thus speaks James Nailor after his lamentable experience and the Papers he hath written against me and others for their way And yet his followers will not be undeceived nor follow him in his Recantation Had they their will against the Ministry in this Land would it promote the Gospel and the salvation of the people Who would instruct them publikely and privately As constantly and diligently and soundly as now they are instructed If there were joyin Hell what joyfull tidings would it be to the infernal Spirits to hear of the accomplishment of the desires of the Quakers and their partakers The accusations against us which the grand accuser of the Brethren hath put into their mouthes are partly from our hearts unknown to them and partly from our duties imputed to us for our crimes and partly from our afflictions in which they should rather compassionate us then reproach us Yesterday in the Congregation and the streets a stranger that never saw my face before cryed out The judgement of the Lord is gone out against thee thou hypocrite thou painted Sepulcher that hast an outside of humility but an inside of pride an outside of godliness but within is envy wrath malice and all wickedness in the day of thy misery thou shalt remember me When I heard the man I blessed God that had caused me to be contented with his own approbation and given me the testimony of my conscience that my soul and life and all that I have is devoted to him and that I have a most just heart-searching Judge that yet hath the compassions of a Father And I wondered that sin should ever prevail so far with men as to harden them to so open and impudent an usurpation of the prerogative of God while they pretend to know the hearts of men as soon as they see their faces And I thought with compassion on the state of weak unsetled consciences that are like young Horses among Drums and Guns that are frightened meerly by a noise As if any man that could but repeat a Scripture-threatning and speak terribly and counterfeit himself a Prophet should frighten us from our peace and faith And it is our very preaching and labours for our peoples souls that is the principal thing they hate us for And the more laborious and faithfull any man is the more maliciously do they oppose him being incomparably more patient with a Whoremonger or Drunkard or prophane Worldling then with such So that our diligence so strictly commanded us by God is with them our crime That we do not as the old worldly Readers did follow the Plow and Cart and labour about earthly business when we should be doing the spiritual work that we are engaged in and that our peoples souls require though we are commanded to meditate upon these things and give our selves wholly to them 1 Tim. 4. 15. A good Minister of Jesus Christ being one that is nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereto they do attain vers 6. The great word by which they think to make us odious to the people working on their carnal minds and interests is that we are Hirelings because forsooth we bargain for so much or else we will not preach But Satan is a liar By Gods assistance we will preach while we have life and strength and liberty though instead of maintaining us they spit in our faces But we dare not encourage our people to be ungratefull Monsters nor sacrilegious
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
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
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
Mar. 7. 21. makes evil reasonings thoughts and folly to come from within out of the heart of man he surely makes mens hearts void of light till they be enlightened with his light And when James Chap. 1. 14 15. makes every mans sin the issue of his own lust as every good gift from the Father of lights who of his own will begets us again with the word of truth Jam. 1. 17 18. he intimates there 's not light in us to avoid sin till the Father of lights begets us again with the word of truth Sect. 4. Vacuity of light without Christ enlightening is proved from Gen. 6. 5. 8. 21. Job 14. 4. 15. 14. 25. 4 5 6. 11 12. Psal. 51. 5. Jer. 10. 14. 17. 9. and experience To these Texts in the new Testament I shall adde more out of the old As first the words Gen. 6. 5. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination or the whole imagination or frame of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually or every day which speech is with little alteration repeated Gen. 8. 21. the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth which speech is not a censure only of the Giants that werein the old world but of all men even from the youth of man without any exception of any and therefore is from their generation Nor is it to be conceived to be an excess of speech expressing more then was true for Gen. 6. 5. it is given as a reason of the great wickedness of man and Gods intended severe punishment and set down as the object of Gods view on his inquisition in the later to set out the greatness of his patience by the greatness of mans sinfulness to which ends those speeches had been impertinent if they were understood as expressing more then was true For then they had not expressed a true inquisition or a just reason of a severe judgement which is alwayes to be expressed as befits a Judge whose judgement is according to naked truth Rom. 2. 2. not with Rhetorical amplifications after the manner of Oratours or a right reason of Gods patience if the provocation were not as great as the words intimate Now this being supposed true we may hence argue thus If every imagination or the whole imagination or frame of the thoughts of mans heart be only evil continually or every day from his youth or childehood then every man till he be enlightened by Christ wants light to guide him in the knowledge of his duty and the way of salvation for if the thoughts be not right the actions are not right nor the light sufficient if men stumble and fall it is an argument they want light but such is the imagination of mans heart as the Texts do express Therefore every man that cometh into the world wants light to rectifie his thoughts about the things of God And that this pravity of mens imaginations is an hereditary and not meerly voluntary or an acquired disease by use custome or imitation the speech of Job doth intimate Job 14. 4. where to deprecate Gods bringing him into judgement with him in a bemoaning plight he thus speaketh Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one Wherein Job expresseth that it is no marvel that all mens lives are so short and so full of trouble because all being unclean naturally none by natural generation can beget a clean childe And if all are unclean morally as they come into the world then all are void of light for that 's a chief part of moral uncleanness till Christ enlighten them The same is confirmed by other passages in the Book of Job as Chap. 15. 14. What is man that he should be clean and he which is born of a woman that he should be righteous Job 25. 4 5 6. How can he be clean that is born of a woman Iob 11. 12. Vain man would be wise though man be born like a wild Asses colt Which speeches do plainly assert mans uncleanness and unrighteousness and ignorance as he is born into the world by natural generation To which may be adjoyned that speech of David concerning himself Psal. 51. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me which is not likely to be meant of any special sin of his mother of whom no such thing is related nor is it likely that he would mention it to her reproach nor would it be pertinent to his confession of his own sin nor is likely to be an Hyperbole or excess of speech as Psal. 58. 3. Joh. 9. 34. For those Hyperbolical expressions are descriptions of a man notoriously and openly ungodly in the course of his life whereas David however he sinned in the matter of Urijah yet in respect of the constant course of his life was a man after Gods own heart and therefore it seemes to me to note his original corruption by natural conception as the cause of his great enormity in the matter of Urijah and to aggravate his sin as springing from himself Now of such corruption want of light to guide us in our way to happiness is a chief part That which the Prophet Jeremiah speaks Jer. 10. 14. Every man is brutish in his knowledge and Jer. 17. 9. The heart is deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked or incurably sick who can know it do express such a destitution of light truth and rectitude as shew that the heart of man is very evil Which being spoken of men universally as they are unchanged can be well imputed to no other reason or cause then the derivation of sinfull corruption to all mankinde by natural generation To all which allegations from Scripture experience addes abundant confirmation sith the ignorance unteachableness frowardness untractableness of persons especially in duties of Religion and the worship of God untill by Catechizing Preaching Discipline Government and other meanes whereby the wildeness of mens spirits is tamed they be brought to some sense and conformity to their duty And even then when by such meanes the hearts and lives of men are somewhat fashioned yet upon every new provocation of fear or hope they quickly draw back from any good course and embrace any errour unless by the Ministery of the word help of Government and work of Gods Spirit they be strengthened do fully shew that of themselves persons want light to guide them and power to uphold themselves in any thing that is good but on the contrary are prone to receive impressions and ro hatch devices of sin and errour till Christ do enlighten them Sect. 5. Every man needs enlightening by Christ by reason of the many evils consequent on sin As for the second reason of mans needing light from Christ by reason of the evils consequent on our natural darkness which are not to be removed but by Christs enlightening it is in like manner manifest by
which is the Gospel To which I answer the Gospel is not the light within each person but that word without them which was preached to them of which Paul was a Minister The light within each person is by creation and inward work of the Spirit but the Gospel is the word brought to our ears by Preachers without us which is never received by many of those to whom it is preached And when it is said to be preached to every creature the meaning is not that every particular person heard it but as when Christ bids them preach the Gospel to every creature Mar. 16. 15. the command is not that they must preach it to every particular person even to Infants for that had been an impossible work but that they should preach it to any indefinitely not restraining them to the lost sheep of the house of Israel as he did formerly Mat. 10. 5 6. In which sense the Apostle saith Col. 1. 28. He warned every man and taught every man that is any without difference who occurred whether Iew or Gentile It is often urged that it is said Col. 1. 27 Christ in you the hope of glory therefore it is Christ within a person which is the hope of glory which some of them have made their Saviour and not he who was crucified at Jerusalem and this fancied Christ within them they seem to confound with the light within them and the Gospel But I answer 1. That this is a meer phantastick delusion to imagine a Christ in themselves different from that Iesus Christ born of Mary who is the Saviour of the world nor is there in the words Col. 1. 27. any ground for such a distinction For the term rendered in may as well be rendered to as it is vers 23. If not the meaning is Christ is in them the hope of glory that is Christ who is in them by faith or Christ who is the hope in them that is their hope of glory 2. However this is certain that Christ in them cannot be meant of the light that is in every man for that is by generation but this Christ in them was only in the Saints vers 26. And by Preaching whereby God made it known which had been hid from ages and generations vers 25 26 27 28. It is alledged that Jerem. 31. 34. God promiseth And they shall no more teach every man his neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least unto the greatest of them Therefore every man hath a light in him and needs no Preacher To which I answer 1. That it is manifest from Heb. 8. 10 11. that this is not a declaration of what all men have upon their birth but what some shall have under the new Covenant by special grace and therefore is not meant of the light within each person whatsoever for that was as well under the first Covenant but those who are specially called under the Gospel 2. The meaning is not that they shall have no more teaching at all then Gods word had been broken when Paul taught the knowledge of God 2 Cor. 4. 6. But either the meaning is they shall not teach by such obscure shadows or predictions as they did before but so plainly as that they may with unveiled fact behold the glory of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. which seems the most genuine meaning by Vers. 9 10. Or in a comparative sense their knowledge shall be so abundant as that each person who hears the Gospel and believes it shall be able of himself to know the Lord. It is urged that Isa. 54. 13 it is said All thy children shall be taught of the Lord therefore every man hath a light within him Answ. 1. All thy children cannot be meant of every one that cometh into the world Our Saviour hath taught us Joh. 6. 45. to expound it of one sort of persons those that have heard and learned of the Father not all 2. Nor can it be meant of that teaching which is by the light within a man common to him with every man besides but that peculiar teaching of God by his Spirit and his Gospel whereby a person cometh to Christ that is believes in him which is never by the meer light which each man hath in him by humane birth It is yet further urged that it is said 1 Joh. 2. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Whence they would gather that each mans light within him or at least each persons light within him who hath the Spirit of God is sufficient to teach him without Scripture or Preacher which is the thing they aime at that there may be some colour to make Scriptures and Preachers seem needless To it I answer The speech is in opposition to those that seduced them Vers. 26. who were the Heretiques of those times whether Ebionites Cerinthians Nicolaitans or Gnosticks whom he terms Antichrists Vers. 18 and 22 23. He mentions their heresie the denying the Father and the Son which was done by pretending a more sublime and refined doctrine then the Apostles taught of another Creatour then the Father of the Son as only in shew and appearance come in the flesh crucified risen again in opposition of whom he tells them they were armed by the anointing and its teaching and so they need not any that is any of those seducers mentioned Vers. 26. should teach them nor that any other doctrine upon any pretence whatsoever should be taught them but that which they had been taught by that anointing Now how did that anointing teach them Undoubtedly by the Apostles as is manifest by Vers. 24. Let that therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning which is expressed plainly to be that which he and other Apostles taught and declared unto them Chap. 1. 1 2 3 5. To which he saith The Spirit beareth witness 1 Joh. 5. 6. And saith 1 Joh. 4. 6. We are of God be that knoweth God heareth us be that is not of God heareth not us hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of errour Whence it is apparent 1. That they only not every man have no need that any teach them who have received the anointing 2. That it is not meant that they have no need of any mans teaching any thing at all but that they have no need of the seducers doctrine pretended to be more exact and sublime 3. That the teaching of the anointing was not by peculiar immediate revelation but by bearing witness to what the Apostles taught 4. That they only that receive the doctrine of the Apostles are taught by the anointing 5. That when it is said the same anointing taught them of all things it is
travel with Child for more are the children of the desolate Gentiles then the children of the married wife the people of the Jewes 2. It concerns us to take heed how we doate on our own reason or the most exact Writers of morality or the most perfect patterns of civility and ingenuity and neglect the light which Christ hath brought into the world There is a good use to be made of the writings of the Gentile Philosophers Orators Poets Historians I am not so severe as some ancient Councils were utterly to forbid the reading of their Books No not to the younger Students if they read them with a Christian eye and a sound judgment which is to be an Index Expurgatorius of many passages in them yet if men rest there and be inamoured on them and prefer them as Politian did before the Gospell they may justly expect to be lashed by God as one of the Fathers is said to be for his inordinate affection and immoderate delight in Ciceroes works I would not altogether forbid society with ingenious civill and morall men there may be much good behaviour learned from them But if we converse with them and not with the children of the light If we conforme our selves to this world and be not transformed in the renewing of our minds that we may know what that good acceptable and perfect will of God is in Christ if we behold not with open face as in a glass the glory of the Lord nor are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. We may be amiable to men but not lovely in Gods eyes we may win mens applause but shall loose Gods favour Let us be wise therefore so to use Candles that we do not burn day-light I mean that we so make use of all the reason and humane wisedome and virtue we have our selves or discern in others Writings or examples that yet we chiefly eye and follow the grand light the Sun of righteousness the Lord Jesus learning him by studying the great counsell of God which he revealed and denying our selves take up our Cross and follow him as his Disciples Christ is to be chosen and followed as our Light SERM. IX Containing an Exhortation to use Christ as our Light Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world THe principal Use of all I have said is That you may be induced to embrace and follow the Lord Christ as the great light of the world Besides the evidence out of holy Scripture to prove him to have been sent from God a light into the world the accomplishment of what he foretold the success of his errand which he declared with the great wisdome and holiness in all his sayings and doings do amply confirm it It is true among the Gentile Philosophers there was light but it was dimme there was light in the Law but it was imperfect no light which is truly such is to be rejected yet in comparison of the light of Christ it was but darkness Philosophers light guided men well in some things in most did lead men into crooked and dangerous wayes in the true worship of God they were wholly dark The teachers of the Law did teach many things aright about Gods being works worship but in the great business of reconciling man to God erecting the kingdome of heaven and the coming of the Messiah to judgement were as blinde as Moles No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven even the Son of man being in heaven Joh. 3. 13. No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him Joh. 1. 18. Compare Gospel precepts and promises with the most accurate sayings of any other Writers not divinely inspired and you will finde the former exceed the later in wisdome and truth as much as gold doth lead or bread acornes Indeed the things are such as none but a holy person would declare they are so opposite to sin and ungodliness specially when they did inevitably exasperate mens rage and procure persecution unto death They are such as none could declare but he that came from God they are so agreeable to what the Prophets and holy men of old delivered so much advancing Gods glory overthrowing Satans kingdome and leading men to God The predictions of things to come concerning himself his Apostles the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world the persecutions of his Disciples the propagating of his Church the destruction of Jerusalem the giving of the holy Ghost his death resurrection ascension the dispossessing Satan of his Empire in the world the conversion of the Gentiles which are all accomplished besides many other things not yet finished but yet in fieri in doing of which the things already done besides the signes of the nearness of their accomplishment do give firm assurance do make infallible proof of Christs being that true light which enlightens the world Nicodemus though one of that Sect which most envied his repute yet was forced to tell him Rabbi we know thou art a teacher come from God for no man can do these miracles that thou dost except God be with him Ioh. 3. 2. The Devil hath attempted to raise some up who might as Christs apes make shew of doing such things as Christ and his Apostles did but their imposture hath quickly appeared Neither Julian nor the Iewes of the first ages nor other adversaries of Christ though great impugners of Christianity could ever evince any falshood in the Evangelists relations of Christ and his acts The witnesses of them though persons of understandidg and intergrity laid down their lives in testimony of them notwithstanding the sorest tortures used to force them to a denial in spight of all the practices of the Devil yet the preaching of Christ crucified prevailed to pull down the Idols of the Nations and to bring in a sort the known world to the obedience of the faith Though the lewes contradicted and blasphemed the Roman Emperours raged Lucian jeered Libanius wrangled Julian calumniated Papists corrupt Gnosticks Hereticks Fanaticks Quakers adulterate and cloud the truth of Christ they do but piss against the Sun the light of Christs doctrine the truth of the Gospel doth and will shine forth Nor can all the cavils of modern Atheists or the dust raised by new Phantastiques take away the brightness of Christs light or hinder its enlightening from others then themselves And shall we after all the arguments given of Christs being the true light follow after ignes fatuos under pretence of new light What real comfort or spiritual help to holiness or heavenly directions do they give to lead men to God better then Christ hath done May you not discern a vain-glorious spirit a self-seeking proud carnal spirit in them What do their censures of others shew but a minde to extoll
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.