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
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
through small hints Daniel is said to have light and understanding and wisdome found in him in that he was able to interpret dreams and shew hard sentences and dissolve doubts Dan. 5. 11 12. But beyond all the Lord Christ was light the Spirit of the Lord did rest upon him the Spirit of wisdome and understanding the Spirit of counsel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord Isa. 11. 2. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2. 3. 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 Mat. 11. 27. Jesus knew all men neither needed he that any should testifie of man for he knew what was in man Joh. 2. 24 25. He knew the thoughts of the Seribes Mat. 9. 4. He knew Judas would betray him afore Judas had conceived the treason Joh. 6. 70 71. He opened the secret counsels of God foretold the future troubles of the Jews persecutions of his Disciples his own death and resurrection the preaching of the Gospel and gathering of his Church over the world which are accomplished and the resurrection of the dead at his return to the final judgement which will be undoubtedly brought to pass in the day of the Lord So that of him it is true which we read Dan. 2. 22. He revealeth the deep and secret things he knoweth what is in the darkness and the light dwelleth with him Sect. 7. Christ is Light in respect of truth and grace 6. By Light is meant truth Isa. 8. 20. To the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them that is no truth in them or no comfort to them say others He that doth the truth saith Christ. cometh to the light Joh. 3. 21. Light and truth are either the same or very like and helpfull to each other Psal. 43. 3. Oh send out thy light and thy truth Now light well agrees to Christ under this notion sith he is the way the truth and the life Joh. 14. 6. All his words were words of truth his Gospel the Gospel of truth Jam. 1. 18. Col. 1. 5. If ye continue in my Word saith Christ Joh. 8. 31 32. then are ye my Disciples indeed And ye shall knew the truth and the truth shall make you free 7. By Light favour and grace and goodness and love are meant Numb 6. 35. Job 29. 3 Psal. 4. 7. Prov. 16. 15. In the light of the Kings countenance is life and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain Lightsomeness in the face is a sign of goodness and love in the heart as on the other side a lowring grim visage is a sign of a tyrannical and imperious spirit Light is the most diffusive and communicative of all qualities and so fitly resembles grace and love And so it is said of Christ Psal. 45. 2. Thou art fairer then the children of men Grace is powred into thy lips therefore God hath blessed thee for ever Cant. 5. 16. His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely 1 Pet. 2. 3. If ye have tasted how gracious the Lord is Luk. 4. 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath aneinted me to preach the Gospel to the poor he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of fight to the blind to set at liberty them that are braised to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And the eyes of all them that were in the Synagegue were fastened on him And he began to say unto them This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears And all bare him witness and wondred at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth Vers. 22. All his words looks deeds except when he had to do with proud hypocrites and incurably wicked persons did evidence a dove-like spirit harmeless compassionate kinde patient full of love and goodness He went about like the Sun doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil Act. 10. 38. And therefore in this respect is to be termed the Light by excellency The Word dwelt among us full of grace and truth Of his fulness we have all received grace for grace Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ John 1. 14. 16 17. 2. This attribute of light is given to Christ both in respect of his divine nature in respect of which it is said Joh. 1. 4. In him was life and the life was the light of men and in respect of his humane concerning which it is said Joh. 9. 5. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world Which I shall shew when I speak of his enlightening Sect. 8. The Application in a double Use to see the estate of men without Christ and to draw our eyes to him For present we may hence infer 1. That they who are unacquainted with Christ are in darkness Ye were once darkness saith the Apostle Eph. 5. 8. minding them of their estate antecedent to their being in Christ. A man without Christ preached and believed is like a person in darkness 1. He is in respect of his estate as a man in the dark in that he cannot discern his own condition how unclean he is what danger is near him what way to avoid it what help to use He that is out of Christ and sees not by his light discerns not the filth of sin nor the keeneness of Gods anger nor how to remove the one or to asswage the other 2. A man without the light of Christ doth neither know God truly nor his precepts or counsel and so knows not how to address himself to God nor how to observe Gods eye on him nor what gifts he tenders to him nor what directions he gives him 3. A man without Christ his light is like the Syrians who were led to Samaria when they imagined they were in Dothan It 's easie for Satan or any deceiver to lead them hell-ward when they pretend to direct them heaven-ward Any cheat any errour or delusion may be put on him that wants Christ to be his light 4. He that wants light from Christ is as he that walks in the dark one while he stumbles here another time he wanders there If he be in the way yet it is more then he knows and therefore is uncertain whether it be best to go forward or backward or stand still How full of uncertainty have been the most witty Philosophers the most skillfull Rabbins the most acute Papists in their way following their own reason or tradition of men How miserably do they stumble and fall and hurt their souls How sadly do they wander out of the way when they think they are in it 5. Want of light from Christ leaves men in fears and perplexities what shall befall them The light of Christ secures
them have Italy and Spain and Austria and France Armies and Navies and swarmes of Fryers and Jesuites at their backs and I take their Liberty and Dominion to be words almost of the same signification But let the Curse of the Almighty Defender of his Church yet follow the underminers of his holy Truth and confound the builders of this Babel And never let the Deliverances in 88 and from the Powder-plot be buried in the ruines of an ungratefull apostatized Land When you hear that among our Rulers it shall be endeavoured that Liberty for Popery shall be granted and secured from interruption from any future Parliaments then remember what I say and let the consciences of those that have betrayed us be awakened and let them see then what friends they have been to our Religion and whither their uncharitable perversnesse hath brought a miserable Land I have already told the Episcopal Brethren that Bishop Usher and I did fully agree in half an hour and therefore it is not long of us that our wound is yet unhealed And though I never treated with Mr. Tombes about such a matter I am confident that he and I should agree in one daiestreaty upon termes of communion charity and forbearance among those of our several waies And therefore if we yet continue unhealed let the shame and horror lie on them that are obstinate in their uncharitable waies And that it should be harder to agree with the Congregational Brethren is incredible Why then is there not long ago a setled concord among all these That yet there should be a frustration of all Assemblies and endeavours to these ends and so easie so necessary so Christian a work should be yet undone yea obstinately resisted after so many years experience and opportunity till we are all ready to be devoured by the common adversary this is our astonishment and Englands shame and especially of some that have been the hinderers and will cost the consciences of some men dear when God ariseth to judge the earth and vindicate his honour which they betrayed by their self-blinding and Church-troubling Pride Reader as I invite thee to the perusall of this Treatise for thy edification so do I most earnestly intreat thee if thou beest a divider to study the nature of holy Charity and Catholick Unity and follow us that desire to lead thee to the Love and Concord of the Saints And to further this work I intreat thee also impartially to peruse Mr. William Allen's Retractation of Seperation which if thou wilt do with a Christian frame of spirit then go on to destroy the Church by divisions and further their work that would betray us to the Papists if thou canst If our wickednesse have not caused God to passe an irreversible Decree of departing from us and leaving England to be a stye of Romish abominations he will yet cause his people to retreat from their divisions and presently to hear the Voice of Peace For which I shall daily pray and groan and labour according to my power and if God deny it me and tell me this is not a world that 's fit for so great a mercy I hope I shall long the more for Heaven and cry and wait for the glorious appearing of the Prince of Peace Come Lord Jesus come quickly Amen Richard Baxter October 17. THE CONTENTS SERM. I. Christ the Light SEct. 1. Of the Evangelists scope method the reading and meaning of Joh. 1. 9. Sect. 2. Christ is the Light and the term Light explained Sect. 3. Christ is Light as the Prince of life Sect. 4. Christ is Light as the Lord of Glory Sect. 5. Christ is Light as cause of Peace and Joy Sect. 6. Christ is Light in respect of his Purity and Wisdome Sect. 7. Christ is Light in respect of Truth and Grace Sect. 8. The application in a double Use to see the estate of men without Christ and to draw our eyes to him SERM. II. Christ the True Light Sect. 1. Christ no counterfeit Light Sect. 2. Christ more then a typical Light Sect. 3. Other Lights not Lights in comparison of Christ. Sect. 4. Christ the Original Light Sect. 5. Christ the perfect Light Sect. 6. Christ the effectual inlightning Light Sect. 7. Christ was the true Light in respect of the Truth of his Word Sect. 8. Application by way of vindication of our selves from the accusation of Quakers as if we denied the Light John 1. 9. and warning to shun false Lights SERM. III. Christ the inlightning Light Sect. 1. Christ inlightens all things with their natural light as Creatour Sect. 2. Christ inlightens the world with the knowledge of God as the Prophet of the Church Sect. 3. Christ as High Priest enlightens with the Light of pea and joy in God Sect. 4. Christ as King of Saints enlightens with the Light of glory Sect. 5. Christ enlightens by his natural power as Gods Son and by special commission as sent of God Sect. 6. Christ enlightens by his Preaching Example Spirit Apostles now in this time by his power and glory in the world to come Sect. 7. Christ enlightens by reason of his own lustre and his Fathers design to shew him to the world Sect. 8. Application by way of inference that we are to bless God for Christs enlightening and all that are Christs are children of Light SERM. IV. Men coming into the world need Light from Christ. Sect. 1. The necessity of Christs enlightening is asserted because of the blindness which is in all at birth Sect. 2. Universal corruption at birth is proved from Joh. 3. 6. Sect. 3. Vacuity of Light without Christ enlightening is proved from Rom. 8. 7 8. Rom. 3. 9 10 11. 23. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Mar. 7. 21 Jam. 1. 14. 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 Sect. 5. Every man needs enlightening by Christ by reason of the many evils consequent on sin Sect. 6. Application to make us sensible of sins evil and the worlds vanity and to provoke us to seek a treasure above and Light from Christ to comfort us SERM. V. Every man hath Light from Christ to make him inexcusable Sect. 1. A natural Light from Christ is yeelded to be in every man and the opinions of Free-willers of its sufficiency are set down Sect. 2. The opinion of the Quakers concerning a Light in each man is enquired into Sect. 3. Some Light is in the most barbarous yet the knowledge of the most refined Gentiles may be conceived to come from some acquaintance with the written Law or Tradition from Adam Sect. 4. The Light without the written Word which was in the Gentiles in the utmost extent of it was imperfect Sect. 5. The Gentiles Light by nature served to restrain from sin and to leave men inexcusable Sect. 6. Application to justifie us against
most truly verified of Jesus Christ through whom we now worship the Father in spirit and truth Joh. 4. 23 24. and our spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God 1 Pet. 2. 5. Sect. 3. Other Lights are no Lights in comparison of Christ. 3. Christ is the true light comparatively as being the chief light in comparison of whom other lights are not to be so termed 'T is true John Baptist is said to be a burning and a shining light Joh. 5. 35. And the word of the Prophets is termed a light shining in a dark place 2 Pet. 1. 19. And Christ saith of his Apostles Mat. 5. 14. they were the light of the world Yet they were as no lights in comparison of Christ who was in the bosome of the Father and hath declared him Joh 1. 18. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that himself saw him and who received not the Spirit by measure and therefore spake the words of God above others Joh. 3. 35. As in like manner we are lights who now preach the Gospel yet comparatively to the Apostles who could say That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes and our hands have felt of the words of life we declare unto you 1 Joh. 1. 1 3. we are but dark The Law was a light and the Commandement was a lamp Prov. 6. 23. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path saith the Psalmist Psal. 119. 105. Yet in comparison of the Gospel of Glory of Christ who is the Image of God 2 Cor. 4. 4. it is scarce to be termed light but as the Star-light is as no light when the Sun is risen so even that which was made glorious to wit the giving of the Law had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excelleth 2 Cor. 3. 10. That is in comparison of the Gospel which is as the day-star and Sun-rising 2 Pet. 1. 19. Sect. 4. Christ the Original Light 4. Christ is the true light as being the Original light from whom other delegated lights which are set up in Christs stead as it is 2 Cor. 5. 20. do borrow their light It is true the Father of our Lord Christ is termed the Father of lights Jam. 1. 17. And Christ is light of light light from the Father of lights yet all is so fully invested in Christ that he could say Joh. 16. 15. All things that the Father hath are mine And therefore he saith even of the holy Spirit himself whom he calls the Spirit of truth that he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak Ver. 13. And he shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you Ver. 14. And when the Prophets testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow it was the Spirit of Christ which was in them that did signifie them 1 Pet. 1. 11. And in like sort when the Apostles by their preaching were lights of the world yet they received from Christ that which they declared 1 Joh. 1. 2 3. And those Believers who were brought to the knowledge of Christ among the Corinthians 2 Cor. 3. 3. are said to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by the Apostles So that as the light of the Sun is the true light because it is the fountain of light the Moon and other Stars borrowing their light from it in like manner Christ is the true light as being he from whom the Prophets Apostles and holy Teachers derive their light which they impart to the world Sect. 5. Christ the perfect Light 4. Christ is the true light that is the most perfect light True is taken for that which is perfect which attains the end to which nothing is wanting requisite to the use of riches Luk. 16. 11. opposite to the Mammon of unrighteousnesse which is defective not sufficient to make a man happy Now Christ is the true or perfect light 1. Because he is the highest light the rising-Sun or day-spring from on high or the height to wit of Heaven Luk. 1. 78. A light placed on high and that riseth from Heaven is a greater light then a Beacon fired and a Beacon on a hill fired then a Bonfire in a low valley The Original of Christ being a light which came from God that was from above Joh. 8. 23. makes him the more conspicuous and greater light 2. The light which is universal is a more perfect light then that which is a light to one part onely as the Sun is the most perfect light because his going forth is from the end of the Heaven and his circuit to the end of it and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof Psal. 19. 6. Now Christ is the light of the world Joh. 8. 12. Not only the glory of the people of Israel but also a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. 3. That is the most perfect light which is without any mixture of darknesse Mow Christ is light and in him is no darknesse at all Lord said Peter Ioh. 21. 17. thou knowest all things Surely there was no errour in Chrlst which might darken his understanding or nescience which might disable him from inlightning those that sit in darknesse and guiding their feet into the way of peace Luk. 1. 79. which is the chief use of the heavenly light of Christ. 4. He is a perpetual light John was a light for a season Ioh. 5. 35. he was to decrease in his lustre and use when Christ was to increase Ioh. 3. 30. The Prophets and Apostles were lights in their time but they had on earth their eclipses the Prophets could not alwaies declare the mind of God Nathan 2 Sam. 7. 3. bid David do all that was in his heart and yet ver 4. that night he had a countermand Elisha said 2 Kings 4. 24. of the Shunamite her soul is vexed within her and the Lord hath hid it from me and hath not told me Prophetick light was not as the Schoolmen said truly in them in manner of a habit which might dispose them to reveal the mind of God at any time but holy men of God spake as they were carried or moved by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 21. And the Apostles did not alwaies speak by the Spirit Peter was to be blamed when he compelled the Gentiles to live as do the Jews Gal. 2. 11 14. to him whom Christ said Mat. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church he after said ver 23. Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me for thou savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of men But it was otherwise with Christ his knowledge was habitual alwaies ready in every thing he was to speak to never deficient he needed not that any should testifie of man Ioh. 2. 25. He spake what he had seen
and heard Ioh. 3. 32. we speak that we do know and testifie that we have seen ver 11. He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him ver 34. The Prophets and the Apostles were lights in their time but their light is set I mean their personal preaching ceaseth Zech. 1. 5. Your Fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever 2 Pet. 1. 14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me But of Christ it is said Rom. 6. 9 10. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him For in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God Eph. 4. 8. When he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men ver 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended farre above all Heavens that he might fill all things to wit with his light as it follows ver 11 12 13. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ. So that Christ is now not only a permanent light but also more eminent shining as he did on the earth to the Iews so more gloriously since his ascension to the Gentiles And though the man of sin hath much obscured the light of Christ and the mystery of iniquity that began to work in Pauls time hath prevailed after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders yet shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thes. 2. 7 8 9. And then shall Christ shine more gloriously in his day and with him the righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 13. 43. And then shall the Lord be to them an everlasting light and their God their glory Isa. 60. 19. Sect. 6. Christ the effectual inlightning Light Christ is the true light that is the effectual light which doth indeed that which light is to do As he is termed the true bread which was from Heaven Ioh. 6. 32. because he giveth life to the world ver 33. He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever ver 58. And as he is termed the true vine Ioh. 15. 1. Because he yeilds fruit as a vine so is he termed the true light because he doth inlighten effectually John 8. 12. I am the light of the world saith Christ be that followeth me shall not walk in darknesse but shall have the light of life Ioh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darknesse There are lights that like ignis fatuus foolish fire lead men into dark places lakes and bogs whereinto they that follow them perish There are lights that for a while lead men in the way and then soon go out and so leave men in darknesse and perplexity But the Lord Christ leads alwaies in the right way even in the way of life neither is he ever extinguished but so shines as that whosoever follows him shall be directed aright in his way be guided into the way of peace Luk. 7. 79. With thee saith the Psalmist Psal. 36. 9. is the fountain of life in thy light shall we see light There is an amazing light that by its brightnesse doth as it were strike dead and cast down to the earth Revel 1. 16 17. When Christ appeared to John in his glory and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength upon the sight of him John fell at his feet as dead When Saul journied to Damascus about noon suddainly there-shine from Heaven a great light round about him so that he could not see for the glory of the light but was blind for some daies Acts 22. 6. 11. Acts 9. 9. The Lord Christ is an excelling light yet not striking dead nor casting down nor blinding but rather an erecting light a clearing light a directing light an enlivening and inlightning light which would lead me to the consideration of the way of Christs inlightning but that somewhat more is to be said of the truth of Christ the light Sect. 7. Christ was the true Light in respect of the truth of his words 2. Christ is the true light in respect of his sayings he delivered that which was truth which is Logick truth and the truth he spake according to his mind which is moral truth 1. He could freely say John 8. 14. Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whether I go Ver. 16. If I judge my judgment is true for I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me Ver. 17 18. It is written in your Law that the testimony of two men is true I am one that bear witnesse of my self and the Father that sent me beareth witnesse of me Ver. 26. He that sent me is true and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him Ver. 28. When ye have lift up the Son of man then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of my self but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things Ver. 31 32. If ye continue in my Word then are ye my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free Ver. 40. But now ye seek to kill me a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard of God Ver. 45. Which of you convinceth me of sin And if I say the truth why do ye not believe me Joh. 10. 25. The works that I do in my Fathers Name bear witnesse of me Ver. 37 38. If I do not the works of my Father believe me not But if I do though ye believe not me believe the works that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him Joh. 16. 10. The words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father that dwelleth in me he doeth the works In which speeches our Lord Christ avers the truth of the light that is Doctrine or Words he taught in that they were received from God and witnessed by him which was proved 1. By the works which Christ did which were invincibly proved to be of God by the greatnesse frequency freenesse and goodnesse of them being in opposition to Satan and with such evidence of all freedom from imposture and acquaintance with Satan that even those who followed
not Christ did in his Name cast out Devils Luk. 10. 49 50. And by this he refuted Luk. 11. 19. the Pharisees who imputed his casting out Devils to an assistance of the Prince of the Devils 2. By the concomitants and consequents of his lifting up which was his death on the crosse Joh. 11. 32 33. For 1. The prediction of it with the fulfilling thereof shewed he spake from God whose property it is to foretell future contingents as certain 2. The things themselves proved him to come from God 1. The wonderfull accidents that hapned at his death Mat. 27. 54. the renting of the Vcil of the Temple and of the rocks and the quaking of the earth and opening of the graves made the Centurion and his Souldiers say Truly this was the Son of God 2. His Resurrection not withstanding all the obstruction used by Pilate and the Jews with the rising of many bodies of the Saints which slept and appeared to many in Jerusalem manifest by the many and undoubted signs thereof to many persons many times proves his descent from God 3. The giving of the Spirit on the great day of Pentecost in the sight of Proselytes from all Countries which was also done by Apostles in other places together with many Miracles in his Name proved that he taught the truth he received from the Father 4. The dispossessing of Satan of his Empire in the worship of Idols and the giving of Oracles as from them and the drawing of the Gentiles to him as he foretold Joh. 12. 31 32. in which was part of the great mystery of Godlinesse 1 Tim. 3 16. which we at this day see accomplished together with many other Prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem its treading down of the Gentiles the Preaching of the Gospel over all the world the calamities of the Jews the persecution of the Christians with other things Matth. 24. Luk. 21. and elsewhere abundantly demonstrate that he was the true light which came down from Heaven in respect of the Doctrine he taught and words he spake His words also appear to be the true light from the matter of them and the ends whereunto they tend and the effects of them For 1. The matter of them is pure like God containing holy Precepts not amorous Poems or sophistical quirks of wit or curious devices of art or cunning maxims of State policy or glorious atchievements of war or any thing that tends to exalt man but such Precepts and Revelations as make man spiritual heavenly wise like unto God There is nothing vain and fabulous like to the frothy wit of men nor deceitfull like to the wily old Serpent but solid and weighty concerning peace with God conversion unto him denying our selves taking up our Crosse following of Christ in patience contentednesse meeknesse humility and such like things as shew faith in God and hope of a reward in Heaven all plain without flattery of men to induce them to follow him in hopes of earthly preferment and worldly wealth or pleasure or praise of men but the clean contrary yet are they such things as when declared appear so necessary for sinners so full of goodnesse and congruity to Prophetical Predictions that the conscience of men not listed up with pharisaical concei's of self-righteousnesse nor obstinately addicted to their own lusts will assent to and embrace them 2. The ends of them and the effects are the salvation of man and the glory of God All that Christ spake it was to comfort the humble and afflicted soul Luk. 4. 18. to ease the burthened Matth. 11. 28. to direct them to God to reform the evils in Gods worship to take men off from covetousnesse hypocrisie and such evils as are pernicious to believe in God to love each other to lay up our treasure in Heaven not to be excessively carefull for the things of this life with whatever else might bring men nigh to God and alienate them from this present evil world And accordingly so were and are the effects regeneration or new birth rejoycing in God mortification of the deeds of the body comfort in tribulation a life of faith love to the Brethren in Christ and everlasting consolation and good hope through grace All which with inumerable other Characters and Symptomes of Christs Doctrine and Testimony do shew that he was the true light and that what he spake to Pilate Joh. 18. 37. was right To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witnesse unto the truth every one that is of the truth heareth my voice Lastly That in respect of his sincerity or moral truth he was the true light it is manifest in that as he said to the Jews he sought not his own will but the will of the Father which sent him Joh 5. 30. That he sought not his own glory Joh. 8. 50. Which appears in that he sometimes forbad the spreading of his fame withdrew himself when they would have made him King Joh. 6. 15. was content to be deprived of ordinary conveniencies Luk. 9. 58. In a word made himself of no reputation or emptied himself and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and being in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even to the death of the crosse Phil. 2. 7 8. that he might give Testimony to the truth Sect. 8. Application by way of Vindication of our selves from the Accusation of Quakers as if we denied the Light John 1. 9. and warning to shun false Lights From that which hath been said 1. It may appear that those who go under the name of Quakers do unjustly accuse publique Preachers as if they did deny the true light which inlighteneth every man that cometh into the world that they deny Christ the light for so in their speeches and books they do frequently charge them None that I have seen is more profuse and frequent in these charges then G. F. that is George Fox in his Catechism who saith p. 7 Toat neither the Jews nor Christians do believe in the light which doth inlighten every man that cometh into the world though they professe some of Christs and the Apostles words which the Jews do not P. 9. he saith Teachers by the will of man meaning publique Preachers in England and Professors say that Christ doth not inlighten every one that cometh into the world and they deny Christ. P. 13. That none can confesse Christ but who confesse the light which every man is inlightened withall But frequently in the same paper he terms such as acknowledge not the light which he imagins every one hath Antichrists Deceivers not Teachers of Christ but deniers of him p. 15. But this crimination is but the raving of men that are used to make clamours and outcries without any proof Though the text plainly enough distinguisheth the light inlightening and the light in every man from that true
work self-denial heavenlynesse faith hope in God and whatever else is amiable and imitable He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil Act. 10 33. He did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Per. 2. 22 23. The real of Gods house did eat him up Joh. 2. 17. It was his meat do do the will of him that sent him and to finish his work Joh. 4. 34. He was the good Shepherd that laid down his life for his Sheep Joh. 10. 11. Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them to the end Joh. 13. 1. Though he were their Lord and Master yet he washed his Disciples feet ver 23. 24. Though he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we through his poverty might be rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. Being in the form of God he made himself of no reputation but took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the crosse Phil. 2. 6 7 8. He pleased not himself but as it is written the reproaches of them that reproached God fell on him Rom. 15. 3. The Son of man came not to be ministred to but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Mat. 20. 28. In all these things and in all other his words and deeds he did shine forth so clearly that even his enemies could not but acknowledge him to have been a holy and just person even before Pontius Pilate he witnessed so good a confession 1 Tim. 6. 13. that Pilate who condemned him yet acquitted him from fault and the malefactor that suffered with him testified that he had done nothing amisse Luk. 23. 4 14 41. 3. Christ did inlighten now in this time as the expression is Mark 10. 38. after his resurrection untill the day in which he was taken up by giving Commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the Apostles whom he had chosen to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them fourty daies and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1. 2 3. 2. After his departure out of the world into Heaven he was and is an inlightening light now in this time mediately 1. By sending of the Holy Spirit whom he promised to send to the Apostles from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father and that he should testifie of him Joh. 15. 26. And guide them into all truth that he should not speak of himself but whatsoever he should hear that he should speak and would shew them things to come he should glorifie Christ for he should receive of his and should shew it to the Apostles that all that the Father had were his and therefore he said he should take of his and shew it to them Joh. 16. 13 14 15. Which was accordingly accomplished when the holy Spirit was given to them and those Prophets and other Teachers whom Christ gave to his Church were endued with the Holy Ghost after his ascension To whom and to the rest of Believers the holy Spirit is given as the earnest of their Inheritance and thereby the eyes of their understanning are inlightened that they may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints Eph. 1. 14 18. Who receive not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that they might know the things which are freely given them of God 1 Cor. 2. 12. Because they are Sons God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. 2. By the sending of Apostles and other Teachers into all Nations of whom in that respect he said Mat. 5. 14 15. Ye are the light of the world A City that is set on an hill cannot be hid Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it giveth light to all that are in the house Ephes. 3. 8 9. Paul saith of himself To me is this grace given to inlighten all men as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies being the same which is used Joh. 1. 9. And indeed Christ when he ascended up on high led captivity captive and gave gifts to men some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Eph. 4. 8 11. who were Angels of light and being placed on high hills in great Cities and on Candlesticks in many Churches were eminent lights in the world So that was said of the Heavens Psal. 19. 4. was verified of them Their sound went into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world Rom. 10. 18. By which light the unfruitfull works of darknesse to wit the wâ—les of the powers of darknesse in their Idolatries and other wickednesse was discovered and innumerable souls brought out of the power of darknesse into the Kingdom of the Son of God From whose light succeeding Teachers by preaching the Gospel and baptizing Believers which the Ancients called inlightening many millions of people through the Romane Empire and other parts of the earth became Christians and were added to the Children of light and these Teachers are termed Starres in Christs right hand Rev. 1. 20. Lastly In the world to come as the phrase of Christ is Mark 10. 30. As the lightening that lighteneth out of the one part under Heaven shineth unto the other part under Heaven so shall also the Son of man be in his day Luk. 17. 24. Then shall he put on his glorious apparel and deck himself with light as a garment and being attended with all the Angels of light shall come in the glory of his Father and raise up the bodies of all the Children of light and bring them to the light so as that those eyes which were boared out for acknowledging him shall see him riding on the clouds of heaven triumphantly and they themselves shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father And then he shall be our noon-light we shall know as we are known 1 Cor. 13. 12. Sect. 7. Christ inlightens by reason of his own lustre and his Fathers design to to shew him to the world The Reasons why Christ is thus an inlightening light are 1. From his own property he being light of himself is as all light is apt to communicate his light to the world As the property of the fire is to burn and the property of water to moysten so it is the property of light to shine forth Nothing is more diffusive of it self and apt to shew it self to others then light Darknesse hides things but light makes them appear As the Prince of
darknesse disguiseth himself puts on the form of a Serpent or Samuel loves to act in the night to keep men in ignorance and blindnesse it being the way most agreeable to his Kingdom which is the Kingdom of darknesse so the Lord Jesus the Lord of glory loved the light his Kingdom being the Kingdom of light His birth was manifested by a Starre Mat. 2. 2. he being the Star that should come out of Jacob as Balaam foretold Numb 24. 17. And there was darknesse over all the Land at his death so that the Sun was darkned Luk. 23. 44 45. Which shewed that then the Sun of righteousnesse was eclipsed His preaching was in the light I spake openly said he Job 18. 20. to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jews alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing His life and practice also was so illustrious and open that he could boldly appeal to his adversaries own testimony of him Which of you convinceth me of sin Joh. 8. 46. 2. Christ was the true light inligntening the world by his Fathers special design 1. Out of special love to his people for whose sake Christ was anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor sent to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty them that are bruised Luk. 4. 18. According to the Prediction Isa. 60. 1 2 3. Arise be inlightened for thy light cometh and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee For behold the darknesse shall cover the earth and grosse darknesse the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen upon thee And the Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising Which is applied thus by Paul Ephes. 5. 14. Wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light 2. Out of special affection to Christ. For the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand Joh. 3. 35. For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth all things that himself doeth For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will For the Father judgeth no man bus hath committed all judgment unto the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him Joh. 6. 21 22 23. To this end it was that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth John 1. 14. And to this end did he appear to John Revel 1. 13. cloathed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle His head and his hairs were white like wool as white as snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire And his feet like unto fine brasse as if they burned in a furnase and his voice as the sound of many waters And he had in his right hand seven Starres and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength ver 14 15 16. His last glorious appearing as it is termed Tit. 2. 13. shall be with his mighty Angels in flaming fire 2 Thes. 1. 7 8 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe God having highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven and things in earth and things under the earth And that every tongue should confesse that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2. 9 10 11. Sect. 8. Application by way of Inference that we are to blesse God for Christs inlightening and all that are Christs are Children of Light From that which hath been said it follows 1. That there is much cause that we should blesse God for this incomprehensible benefit to men especially us Gentiles of raising up Christ to be the inlightening light of the world Sure all light which shews to inlighten and not to amaze is a great gift They that have been long blind or kept in darknesse and after recover their sight and see the light how are they over-joyed When blind Bartimaeus received his sight he followed Christ glorifying God Luk. 18. 43. And shall not we glorifie God who receive lightfrom Christ not only to follow him in the way in which he travelled on earth but also in the way in which he passed into glory We sometimes seem to wish that God would send us the light of Heaven and will we not praise God who hath sent his Son from Heaven to be the true inlightening light to guide us to Heaven Zacharias blessed God that by his tender mercy the day-spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace Luk. 1. 78 79. Simeon desired to live no longer after his meeting with Christ in the Temple but blessed God that his eyes had seen his salvation which he had prepared before the face of all people a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel Luk. 2. 28 29 30 31. Herein we are bound to imitate them and to be inlarged in our blessing God and glorifying him for this great injoyment of the true inlightening light 2. Sith Christ is the inlightening light they that are Christs are Children of the light and of the day not of the night or darknesse 1 Thes. 5. 5. They therefore that abide in darknesse and walk in darknesse have no communion with Christ. For what fellowship hath righteousnesse with unrighteousnesse And what communion hath light with darknesse And what concord hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6. 14 15. Now he that hateth his Brother is in darknesse and walketh indarknesse and knoweth not whether he goeth because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes 1 Joh. 2. 11. And what is their practice but practice of harred of their Brethren whose tongue are still venting reviling speeches against their Brethren as not in the light because they confesse sin in themselves and make not the light in their own consciences a sufficient light to guide them but sollow the light of the holy Scriptures Surely these are not in the light who are so full of self-boasting of their own perfection and Pharisee-like despising others Were we in errour yet in meeknesse those that oppose themselves should be instructed 2 Tim. 2. 25. if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth Wherein they failing and following the Prince of darknesse in railing accusations Iude 9. shew themselves not to be
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
the mean time by that which hath been said 1. It is necessary for our good that we should be sensible of these two things 1. That sin is an imbittering thing that takes away the relish and pleasure of all the goods we have under the Sun and of our very lives themselves Agag thought if he had escaped death then bitternesse had been overpassed and therefore he came to Samuel delicately 1 Sam. 15. 32. But experience shewed that there is often more bitternesse in life then in death Nor is it likely to be otherwise as long as sin remains for that 's a root of bitternesse Heb. 12. 15. a root that beareth gall and wormwood Deut. 29. 18. While there is sin in our eating and drinking there will be bitternesse in our meats and drinks While there is sin in our nuptials there will be bitternesse in our marriage society All states and conditions here will have their frets their gnawing worms and eating mothes When God corrects man with rebukes for iniquity he makes his beauty to consume away like a moth Surely every man is vanity Psal. 39. 11. 2. That we have little cause to glory in our birth It is the property of many to boast of their birth it is the manner of all Parents to rejoyce at their childrens birth But the sense of sinne should take away our glorying in our selves the sight of our black feet should abate our high conceits of our white feathers and the sense of trouble should allay the excesse of our joy in posterity and rather provoke us to imitate them that wept at births and sang for joy at burials Were it not that God makes women forget their travell they would breed no more and were it not that God hides from the eyes of men the evils that accompany life they would choose strangling rather then life and were it not for the consolations of Christ the burdens especially of the godly would be unsupportable especially when they complain with Paul Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Earth is but a reall dungeon though to some it is an imaginary Heaven 2. It is necessary 1. That we seek our good in other enjoyments then this world Who would make his bed upon thornes Who would choose his dwelling on the mast of a ship where winds and stormes and perpetual tossings take away all rest Surely our best enjoyments our best habitation here are no better We project many things and promise much to our selves in Wealth Wife Children Friends Houses Preserments and other things but upon a just account we find all but ciphers which make no summe How often doth Solomon tell us when he had cast up his reckonings that vanity of vanities all is vanity Eccl. 12. 8. And why should we set our eyes then on that which is not Prov. 23. 5. Surely the true light holds sorth better counsel Luk. 12. 33. Provide your selves bags which wax not old a treasure in the heavens that faileth not where no chief approacheth nor mâ—th corrupteth a treasure of Gospel grace the new Covenant the heavenly Promises the Communion of Christ the fellowship of the Spirit and the life of Faith and these will never deceive our expectations It were a good wish if righly minded by the users God send us the light of Heaven 2. Let us prize the light of Christ and make use of it to prevent lessen hear deliver us out of all the present evils Paul had learned to do so Phil. 3. 12 13. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungery both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me It is indeed the inlightening of Christ which clears up all to us in the most stormy and cloudy day it will make us look abroad and travell with strength in our journey and run the race which is set before us and after Pauls sad complaint take up with his conclusion I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7. 25. O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the Law But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. 55 56 57. Every man hath Light from Christ sufficient to make him inexcusable SERM. V. Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world Sect. 1. A Natural Light from Christ is yeilded to be in every man and the Opinions of Freewillers of its sufficiency are set down LIghting every man that cometh into the world is meant either of such light which is by Christ as Creatour termed natural and this is conferred upon all men without exception of any person or of such light as is by Christ as Mediatour and this is conferred though not on every single person yet on all sorts and Nations of men and it is termed supernatural Concerning the former sort of light it is yeilded that there is natural light from Christ given to every man who comes into the world by humane birth ' This light is the light of reason and knowledge agreeable to humane nature which if it were not conferred on every man he should not be rational but should be degraded into the rank of beasts It is true which the Psalmist saith Psal. 49. 20. Man that is in honour and understandeth not is like the beasts that perish But this only shews that man by extinguishing his light doth brutifie himself not that he was without all natural light in his originnl All experience shews that each person even the most natural fool hath some light of reason by which he can apprehend some things pertaining to humane being and some way expresse his mind though in respect of civil or moral or religious affairs he be unteachable All the difficulty is how farre it extends in all or may be improved by them that use it best In this matter there have been various opinions The Pelagians of old are said to have held that each person had so much ability by his own free-will and by his natural light as that he might love God and keep the Law and resist temptations though after by Councils and the writings of adversaries they were driven to yeild a necessity of teaching and outward proposition of divine truths to men to that end Some of the Schoolmen and later Papists do hold that each man hath so much light and power in him that if he do what he can God is ready or bound to give him grace necessary to salvation And this way go Arminians and other assertors of the power of free-will in them that never heard of the Gospel of Christ preached to them conformably whereto in the Pagans debt and Dowry p. 20. it is said
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
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.