Light for them that sit in Darkness OR A DISCOURSE OF JESUS CHRIST AND That he undertook to accomplish by himself the Eternal Redemption of Sinners ALSO How the Lord Jesus addressed himself to this Work with undeniable Demonstrations that he performed the same Objections to the Contrary Answered BY JOHN BUNYAN Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us Gal. 3. 13. LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Corrthil 1675. The Author to the Reader Gentle Reader IT was the great care of the Apostle Paul to deliver his Gospel to the Churches in its own simplicity because SO it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth And if it was his care so to deliver it to us it should be ours to seek so to continue it And the rather because of the Unaptness of the Minds even of the Saints themselves to retain it without commixture For to say nothing of the Projects of Hell and of the cunning craftiness of some that lie in wait to dâ—ceive even the Godly themselves as they are dull of hearing so much more dull in receiving and holding fast the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from their Sense and Reason and Unbelief and Darkness arise many imaginations and high thoughts which exalt themselves against the Knowledg of God and the Obedience of Jesus Christ wherefore they themselves have much ado to stand compleat in all the Will of God And were they not concerned in electing love by which they are bound up in the Bundle of Life and blessed with the Enjoiment of Saving Grace which enlightneth their Souls and maintaineth their Faith and Hope they would not only be assaulted and afflicted with their own Corruptions but as others overcome thereby Alas How ordinary a thing is it for Professors to fall from the Knowledg they have had of the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God and to be turned unto Fables Seducing-Spirits and Doctrines of Devils through the Intoxications of Delusions and the Witchcrafts of false Preachers Now this their swerving from the Gospel ariseth 1. Either from their not-having or having notretaining the true Knowledg of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ Or 2. From their not believing the true Causes of his Coming into the World with his Doing and Suffering there Upon one or both these accounts I say it is that they everlastingly perish for if they have not and do not also retain the Knowledg of his Person they want the HE on whom if they believe not they 〈◊〉 die in their Sins And if they know not the Reason of his Coming Doing and Suffering they are in the same condition also Now those Professors that have had some Knowledg of these things and yet have lost them it hath come thus to pâ—ss with them because they first lost the Knowledg of themselves and of their Sins They know not themselves to be such nothing-ones as the Scripture reporteth them to be nor their Sins to be so heinous as the Law hath concluded Therefore they either turn again with the Dog to his Vomit or adhere to a few of the Rags of their own Fleshly Righteousness and so become pure in their own Eyes yet are not purged by Blood from their Filthiness For the Person and Doings of Jesus Christ are only precious to them that get and retain the true Knowledg of themselves and the due Reward of their Sins by the Law These are desolate being driven out of all these embrace the Rock instead of a Shelter the Sensible Sinner receiveth him joyfully And because a miscarriage in this Great Truth is the most dangerous and damning Miscarriage therefore should Professors be the more fearful of swerving aside there-from The Man that rejecteth the true Knowledg of the Person of the Lord Jesus and the Causes of his Doing and Suffering in the World takes the next way to be guilty of that Transgression that is not to be purged with Sacrifice for ever That FEARFUL Transgression for which is left NO Offering AT ALL nor any thing to be expected by the Person transgressing but fearful Judgment and fiery Indignation which shall devour the Adversary Now for their sakes that have not sinned this Sin for their sakes that are in danger thereof but yet not overcome for their sakes have I written this little Book wherein is largely and yet with few words discovered the Doctrine of the Person and Doings and Sufferings of Christ with the true Cause thereof also a removal of those Objections that the crafty Children of darkness have framed against the same And I have been the more plain and simple in my writing because the Sin against the Holy Ghost is in these days more common than formerly and the Way unto it more beautified with colour and pretence of Truth I may say of the way to this Sin it is as was once the Way to Jerusalem strewed with Boughs and Branches and by some there is eried a kind of Hosanna to them that are treading these Steps to Hell Oh the plausible Pretences the golden Names the feigned Holiness the demure Behaviours mixt with damnable Hypocrisie that attends the Persons that have forsaken the Lord Jesus that have despised his Person trampled upon him and counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was Sanctified an Unholy thing They have crucified him to themselves and think that they can go to Heaven without him yea pretend they love him when they hate him pretend they have him when they have cast him off pretend they trust in him when they bid defiance to his Undertakings for the World Reader let me beseech thee to hear me patiently read and consider and judg I have presented thee with that which I have received from God and the Holy Men of God who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost do bear me witness Thou will say all pretend to this Well but give me the hearing take me to the Bible and let me find in thy Heart no favour if thou find me to swerve from the Standard I say again receive my Doctrine I beseech thee in Christ's stead receive it I know it to be the Way of Salvation I have ventured my own Soul thereon with gladness and if all the Souls in the World were mine as mine own Soul is I would through God's Grace venture every one of them there I have not writ at a venture nor borrowed my Doctrine from Libraries I depend upon the sayings of no man I found it in the Scriptures of Truth among the true sayings of God I have done when I have exhorted thee to pray and give heed to the Words of God as revealed in the Holy Writ The Lord Jesus Christ himself give thee Light and Life by Faith in him to whom with the Father and the good Spirit of Grace be Glory and Dominion now and for ever Joh. Bunyan Amen The
Name And hence again he is called a LAMB upon the Throne In the midst of the Throne of the four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns a Demonstration of Kingly Power But mark he was a Lamb upon the Throne he had his Horns as a Lamb. Now by LAMB we are to understand not only his meek and sweet Disposition but his Sacrifice for he was as a Lamb to be slain and Sacrificed and so his having a Throne and seven Horns as a Lamb giveth us to understand that he obtained this Dignity of King by his Blood When he had by himself purged our Sins he sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty in the Heavens When he had offered up one Sacrifice for Sins for ever he sat down on the Right Hand of God Revel 5. Heb. 4. Chap. 10. Now put all these together to wit his Resurrection from the Dead his Ascension and Exaltation to Office and remember also that the Person thus Exalted is the same Jesus of Nazareth that sometime was made accursed of God for Sin and also that he obtained this Glory by vertue of the Blood that was shed for us and it must unavoidably follow That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Third Demonstration BUt to proceed A Third Demonstration That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is because he hath received for them the Holy Spirit of God Thus Jesus hath God raised up whereof said Peter we are all Witnesses Therefore being by the Right Hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear Act. 2. 32 33. The receiving of the Holy Ghost at the Hand of the Father who had bruised him before for the Transgressions of his People The receiving of it I say upon his Resurrection and that to give them for whom just before he had spilt his Blood to make an Atonement for their Souls argueth that the Divine Majesty found rest and content in that Precious 〈…〉 od and found it full price for the Sinners for whom he shed it And if you consider the necessity of the giving of this good spirit to Men and the benefit that they receive by his coming upon them you will see yet more into the Truth now contended for First Then of the Necessity of giving this good Spirit 2. And then of the Benefit which we receive at his coming First Of the Necessity of its being given 1. Otherwise Jesus could never have been proved to be the Saviour for the Promise was that Messias should have the Spirit given him given him to communicate As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit which is upon thee and my Words which I have put in thy Mouth meaning the Redeemer ver 20. shall not depart out of thy Mouth nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed from henceforth and for ever Isa. 59. 21. Here is the Promise of the Spirit to be given to Christ and by him to his Seed for ever And this was signified long before in the Anointing of Aaron and his Sons And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his Sons and consecrate them Exod. 30. 30. This Spirit Jesus promised to send unto his at his Exaltation on the Right Hand of God The Spirit I say in the plentiful Pourings of it out True the Church in all Ages had something of it by vertue of the Suretyship of the Lord Jesus but this in comparison of what was to come into the Church after his Resurrection is not reckoned a Pouring forth therefore Pourings forth thereof are reserved to the time of the Ascension and Exaltation of this Jesus I will pour out of my Spirit in THOSE Days Hence Jesus reserves it till his going away and 't is expresly said The Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not yet Glorified Accordingly did the Apostles wait after his Resurrection for the pouring forth of the Holy Ghost and at the set time did receive it by the giving of which he declared himself to be the son of God and Saviour of the World John 14. 26. Chap. 15. 26. Chap. 16. 7. Act. 1. 4. 5. Joel 2. 28. Acts 2. 16 17. Joh. 7. 39. Rom. 1. 4. 2. Without the giving of the Holy Ghost there had wanted a Testimony that his Gospel was the Gospel of Messias Moses his Ministration was confirmed by Signs and Wonders and mighty Deeds both in Egypt in the Wilderness and at the Red-Sea wherefore 't was necessary that the Doctrine of Redemption by Blood which is the Doctrine of the Gospel of this Jesus should be also confirmed with signs following Hence both himself and Apostles did as frequently work Miracles and do mighty Deeds as his Ministers now do preach which Signs and Miracles and Wonders confirmed their Doctrine though themselves both Master and Scholar was in appearance the most considerable mean yea they by the means of the Holy Ghost have so ratified confirmed and setled the Gospel in the World that no Philosopher Tyrant or Devil hath been able hitherto to move it out of its place He confirmed the Word with Signs following Mar. 16. 20. Heb. 2. 4. 3. As the giving of the Holy Ghost was necessary thus so was it necessary also to strengthen them that were intrusted with his Gospel 1. To preach it effectually 2. To stand to it boldly 3. And to justifie it to be the Doctrine of Messias incontroulably 1. To preach it effectually in demonstration of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 4 5 6. Joh. 16. 8 9. 2. To stand to it boldly Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost said And they saw the Boldness of Peter and John Act. 8. 13. 3. To justify the Doctrine incontroulably I will give you a Mouth and Wisdom which all your Adversaries shall not be able to resist or gain say And they were not able to resist the Wisdom and Spirit by which he spake Luk. 21. 15. Act. 6. 10. Now I say that God should give the Holy Ghost to Jesus to confirm this Gospel Redemption from sin by his Blood what is it but that by his Blood he hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them But again the Benefit which we receive at the Coming of the Holy Ghost doth more demonstrate this Truth hath Christ purchased Sinners and are they the Price of his Blood Yes But how doth that appear Why because by the Holy Ghost which he hath received to give us we are fitted for the Inheritance which by his Blood is prepared for us 1. By the Spirit of God we are quickned and raised from a state of
us Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The God of Peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing Rom. 5. 1 2. Chap. 15. 13. This Peace is expressed diversly 1. Sometimes it is called QUIETNESS for it calms the Soul from those troublous Fears of damning because of sin And the work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the Effect of Righteousness Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa. 32. 17. 2. Sometimes it is called BOLDNESS for by the Blood of Christ a Man hath encouragement to approach unto God Having brethren Boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the Vail that is to say his Flesh Heb. 10. 19 20. 3. It is sometimes called CONFIDENCE because by Jesus Christ we have not only encouragement to come to God but confidence that if we ask any thing according to his Will he not only heareth but granteth the Request which we put up to him In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of Jesus Ephes. 3. 12. 1 John 5. 14 15. 4. Sometimes this Peace is expressed by REST because a Man having found a sufficient Fulness to answer all his Wants he sitteth down and looks no further for satisfaction Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Mat. 11. 28. 5. It is also expressed by SINGING because the Peace of God when it is received into the Soul by Faith putteth the Conscience into a Heavenly and Melodious Frame And the Ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and Everlasting Joy upon their Heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall fly away Isa. 35. 10. 6. Sometimes it is expressed or discovered by an Heavenly glorying and boasting in Jesus Christ because this Peace causeth the Soul to set its Face upon its Enemies with Faith of a Victory over them for ever by its Lord Jesus Let him that glorieth glory in the Lord and My Soul shall make her boasts in the Lord the Humble shall hear thereof and be glad Jer. 9. 23 24. Psalm 34. 2. 7. Sometimes it is expressed or discovered by Joy Joy unspeakable because the Soul having seen it self reconciled to God hath not only quietness but such apprehensions do now possess it of the unspeakable Benefits it receiveth by Christ with respect to the World to come that it is swallowed up with them Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. 8. Lastly It is expressed or discovered by the Triumph that ariseth sometimes in the Hearts of the Believers for they at times are able to see Death Sin the Devil and Hell and all Adversity conquered by and tied as Captives at the Chariot-Wheels of Jesus Christ Taken captive I say and overthrown for ever Thanks be to God who causeth us always to triumph in Christ. O clap your Hands O ye People sing unto God with the voice of Triumph 2 Cor. 2. 14. Psalm 47. 1. Now that all this should be a cheat is impossible that is it is impossible that Believers should thus have Peace with God through the Blood of his Cross he having not paid full price to God for them especially if you consider that the Authors of this Peace are all the three in the Godhead and that upon a double account 1. In that they have given us a Gospel of Peace Rom. 10. 15. or a New-Testament which propoundeth Peace with God through the Redemption that is in Christ. Now as this is called the Gospel of Peace so 1. It is called The Gospel of God 1 Thes. 2. 9. 2 Thes. 1. 8. 2. The Gospel of Christ Rom. 15. 19. 3. A Gospel indited by the Holy Ghost 1 Thes. 4. 8. I say therefore that Redemption and Salvation being that throw Christ and the Truth thereof proclaimed by the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost in the Word of the Truth of the Gospel it must needs be that we who believe shall be saved if we hold the confidence and the rejoicing firm unto the End 2. As the three in the God-head are the Authors of this Peace by inditing for us the Gospel of Peace or the good Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ So they are the Authors of our Peace by working with that word of the Gospel in our Hearts And hence 1. the Father is called the God of Peace now the God of Peace be with you all And the very God of Peace sanctifie you Rom. 15. 33. 1 Thes. 5. 23. And because he is the God of Peace therefore he filleth those that believe in his Christ with joy and peace through believing Rom. 15. 13. 2. Again Christ is called the Prince of Peace therefore the Prayer is Grace be with you and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes. 1. 2. 3. The Holy Ghost also is the Author of this Peace this inward Peace Even righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. And I say as I also have already said the procuring or meritorious Cause of this Peace is the doings and sufferings of Christ. Therefore by his Doings and Sufferings he paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them else God would never have indited a Proclamation of Peace for them and the Tenour of that Proclamation to be the Worthiness of the Lord Jesus yea he would never have wrought with that Word in the Heart of them that believe to create in them Peace Peace Secondly As peace with God is an Evidence the Blood of Christ being the Cause thereof that Christ hath by it paid full price to God for Sinners so Holiness in their Hearts taking its beginning from this Doctrine makes this fist Demonstration of double strength 1. That Holiness true gospel Holiness possesseth our hearts by this Doctrine 't is evident because the ground of Holiness which is the Spirit of God in us is ministred to us by this Doctrine When the Apostle had insinuated that the Galatians were bewitched because they had turned from the Doctrine of Christ Crucified he demands of them Whether they received the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Gal. 3. 1 2 3 4. That is whether the Spirit took possession of their Souls by their Obedience to the ten Commandments or by their giving credit to the Doctrine of the forgiveness of their Sins by Faith in this Crucified Christ strongly concluding not by the Law but by the hearing or preaching of Faith that is of the Lord Jesus as Crucified who is the Object of Faith 2. As this Doctrine conveyeth the ground or ground-Work which is the Spirit so also it worketh in the Heart those three Graces Faith Hope Love