made flesh as ver 14. or as the Word is God manifest in the flesh as 1 Tim. 3. 16. or as the Word is in union with the humane nature according to his name Emmanuel Matth. 1. 23. Let the impartial and unprejudiced Reader consider what is said in every verse and I doubt not but he will finde it according to the report given as in the 2 verse it is said The same was in the beginning that is the same Word God distinct from the humanity and so it is in the verse following As in the 3. verse All things were made by him that is by the Word God in the 4. verse In him was life and the life was the light of men That is God the Word the Creator who gives life and light to all men according to that in Acts 17. 28 29. In him we live move and have our being and we are all his off-spring in the 5. verse And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not That is The Word God as it is explained in the 10. verse He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not Though the Word the Creator shined as light in the world and was not far from every one of us as the Apostle speaks Acts 17. 27. and had set up a Candle in them whereby the eternal power and Godhead might be known by the things that were made yet such was the darkness of men that they did not comprehend and acknowledge him In the 7. and 8. verses it 's said John was sent to bear witness of that light that is of the Word God to wit that God the Word was come to manifest himself in the flesh he bare witness that the light which was in the world and by whom the world was made and whom the world knew not was now come to appear in the flesh It 's true that John also bare witness of Christ in both natures as when the Word was made flesh verse 14. it 's said in the 15. verse John bare witness of him and afterward when he saw Jesus coming unto him he saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world verse 29. Where he speaks of him as the Word made flesh and Tabernacled amongst us But in the verses before mentioned he onely asserts and proves his Divinity In like manner are we to understand the 9 verse That was the true light that is the Word God the Creator and former of all things Isa 40. 28. was to wit in the beginning for thither the Verb in the Original in every verse doth carry us the true light not a borrowed or derived light but the fountain and original of all light according to that Scripture 1 Joh. 1. 5. God is light and in him is no darkness at all This I say is proper to the Creator who is the fountain of Life and Light to all beings according to their capacities whereas Christ as Mediator deriveth Light from the Father as he doth Life and Subsistance as he himself doth witness Joh. 6. 57. I live by the Father c. And thus we see who this true light is Viz. The Word God And hence it may be that the word Christ is not once named in any of the first 9. verses of the first of John but only the Word 2. How doth he lighten every man that cometh into the World The Word God or God the Word as Creator of all things doth lighten every man that cometh into the world by setting up in every man a Spirit by which he lives which is called the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. and by writing a Law in his heart of which Spirit and Law I have spoken before This is a true and faithful account of the Light that Lightens every man But doth not Christ say expresly Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the World and is not the Word and the true light of whom John bare witness Christ That the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World is the Word as such I have already proved And further I say according to Joh. 1. 14. That the Word was made flesh and tabernacled amongst men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father and being imbodied in flesh he is thenceforth and so considered called Christ the Lord or the Lords Christ Luke 2. 11 26. For unto us in born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ And no otherwise doth he bear that name but as he is the Word made flesh to be seen and beleeved on it is not the Word alone nor the flesh alone but the Word and flesh in union that is called Christ Joh. 1. 41. We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ And is a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 26 32. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel Till then there was no such thing as a Christ or a light to the Gentiles but only in a promise The Word being thus made flesh manifested and seen 1. Joh. 1. 2. brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel by his appearing 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Now that purpose of grace and love which was in the Fathers bosom before the world began which was promised Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the serpent and from that time believed and expected by all the faithful appears by this manifestation of God in the flesh Tit. 2. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared And 3. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared c. And thus is Christ said to come a light into the world not to lighten every man that comes into the world but onely those that believe on him according to that testimony Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness This also is that light mentioned Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light And Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the world c. This Word made flesh is
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost for the promise is unto you and your children and to all that are a far off even as many as the Lord our God shall call And Jo. 38. 39. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living water But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified so that it is apparent in several respects that this Scripture proves not their assertion Further it was said that Balaam was a wicked man and yet he had the spirit of God and saw the starr of Jacob Numb 24. therefore every man that comes into the world hath the spirit of Christ Ans It is one thing to have the spirit of the Son which is the great promise of the new Covenant Isa 50. 21. dwelling in a man 2 Tim. 1. 14. and another thing to have the spirit of God come upon a man at some particular time and for some particular work thus it was with Balaam and thus with Saul and his messengers 1 Sam 19. 20. 21. 23. but this proves not that every man that comes into the world hath the sprit of Christ for the Scripture doth not say that these men had the spirit of God before it came upon them only these Scriptures do shew that God can and sometimes doth by the power of his spirit impress upon a wicked man and make him to declare some future glorious things for his own praise and his peoples comfort as Dan. 4. 1. 2. 3. Joh. 11. 50. 51. may be seen neither is it said in that place Numb 24. 17. that Balaam saw the starr of Jacob but I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh but when every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 17. but it will not follow hence that he had the faith of Job to see him his Redeemer Job 19. 25. 27. nor the spirit of the mediator the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2 5. which only dwels in believers 2 Tim. 1. 14. that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us no more then the Angel of the Lord that spake in the Asse with mans voyce Numb 22. 28. 2 Pet. 2. 16. dwelt in the Asse though that is utterly false which this people hath published in their Paper viz. that he was a Baptist which said that Balaam had no more spirit then his Horse Some of them asked what was that which caused Judas to bring the money again and made him repent implying as I apprehend them that it must needs be the spirit of Christ Ans There is a light and law in every man that convinces and reproves of sin except of not believing in Christ Rom. 2. 14 15. for when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their concscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another and this made Judas bring the money again c. But this light or Law in every man is not the spirit of Christ mentioned Joh. 16. 7. 8. which was promised to be sent to reprove or convince the world of the sin of not believing in Christ c. for he was not come while as Christ was not ascended John 16. 7. 13. but of this light and Law in every man I shall speak more after the rest of my Arguments to prove my assertions are laid down By these briefe Answers it may appear with what little success these Scriptures were brought to prove that every man even the wicked and unregenerate have the spirit of Christ and that notwithstanding all that was said the plain and positive Scriptures brought brought by me to prove the contrary viz. That all men have not the Spirit of Christ do remain firm â—and â—nshaken there being nothing more plain than Christ's own words John 14. 17. That the world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth And the Apostles Rom. 8. 9. Jude 19. That some are in the flesh are sensual not having the Spirit of Christ As I could get liberty other Arguments were propounded for the proof of that which I had undertaken to make good viz. That Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light which are as follow though in that confused Assembly they could not be so orderly and with that enlargement urged as they are here set down Whom Christ enlightens with a saving Light into their hearts he causeth the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ to shine to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ according to the testimony of Paul 2 Cor. 4. 6. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ He brings life and immortality to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. And he doth no otherwayes manifest the Grace of God our Reconciliation Peace and Salvation but by the light of the glorious Gospel shining in our hearts and he that wants this Gospel-light hath no saving-light but is lost 2 Cor. 4. 3. But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost But Christ doth not cause this light of the glorious Gospel to shine in the heart of every man that comes into the world for the Gospel is hid to some and the light of it doth not shine in their hearts as the Scripture testifies 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Therefore Christ doth not enlighten every one that comes into the world with a saving light Whom Christ enlighteneth with a saving light to them is given an understanding to know the Father 1 John 2. 13 Ye have known the Father And the Son 1 John 5. 20. And we know the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true And the Spirit John 14. 17. Even the spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him c. And the things that are freely given them of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 12. But God hath revealed them uuto us by his spirit Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit
man the Hebrew Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formavit is the same in all the three places importing that the things formed are not God that formed them the like may be gathered from other words which signifie to create or make the Law of God written in mans heart is begotten of God proceeds from him is his off-spring as all lights whatsoever are from him and lead to him and thence it is that he is called the Father of Lights Jam. 117. but it is not the Father of Lights who is an infinite and incomprehensible Fountain of perfection and glory but a borrowed ray or beam of Divine Glory confined to its Orb and limited to its uses as all other lights are beyond which it cannot go And thus the Scripture seems frequently to distinguish between God and his Law as Psal 1. 2. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord. Psal 37. 31. The Law of God is in his heart And Psal 40. 8. Thy Law is in my heart 2 Chron. 12. 1. it 's said of Rehoboam He forsook the Law of the Lord. In all which places there is a clear distinction between the Law or Rule given to man and the Author of it from all which it is evident that the Law written in mans heart is not God And thus have we an account of the fullest light that was in man before his fall The sum whereof is this He had the light of a clear understanding to know his Creator and his whole will contained in that Law which was written in his heart and the Light of Reason to see how just and equitable it was to yeeld perfect obedience to his will and thus he could look his God in the face and come into his presence with delight and serve him with gladness But all the Light that man had in his Created integrity whether set up in his Spirit or in the Law implanted in him was not sufficient to manifest or make known unto him a Redeemer for as in that state he had no need of a Redeemer so his Light had neither commission nor power to make one known to him even as it was with the Angels which never fell they having no need of redemption notwithstanding all their light had never known the Redeemer but by means of the Church which stands in need of him Eph. 3. 10. To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God so 1 Pet. 1. 12. Which things the Angels desire to look into And as their Light so the Light which Adam had before his fall was so limited and bounded that it could not extend it self then nor now if any had as great a measure as he had further then to shew how man being perfectly obedient to the whole will of his Creator might live for ever in the happy fruition of him as such Since the fall of man this Candle of the Lord in him that is his Reason and Understanding is become exceeding dim in comparison of what it was before as the Scripture testifies Eph. 4. 18. Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the Life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart In the fall the Devil got into this Candle the mind of man whereof he hath ever since kept possession and will keep it still except a stronger than he cast him out he is the Spirit that works in the children of disobedience and so blinds their minds and darkens their eyes that they cannot look up to God or discern the things that concern his glory and their own happiness but their Candle doth mostly give light downward to things below Eph. 2. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked acâ—ording to the course of this world according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience 2 Cor. 4. 4. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them Insomuch that it may be said of every man in the fall how wise soever he may conceit himself to be That he is a vain empty man born like a wild Asses Colt Job 11. 12. and that he is in respect of man in his Innocency but a beast in regard of his ignorance man that was made like unto God hath made himself by his fall like unto a beast according to that of Solomon Eccles 3. 18. I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men That God might manifest them and that they might see that they â— themselves are beasts Yet is not this Light wholly extinct for then he could not exist but would cease to be a man where there is no spirit of a man there is no man So likewise the Law written in mans heart which at first was plainly to be read is not so oblitterated but that there is sufficient left to render God righteous in his proceedings against men who do hold that measure of the knowledge of God which is left in them in unrighteousness and to leave them inexcusable before him in the day of the revelation of the righteous Judgement of God Rom. 2. 5 6. I say there is so much of the Eternal Power and God-head manifested and made known to men by the things that are made that such as like not to retain God in their knowledge nor to glorifie him so far as they do know him shall be left without excuse in the day when God shall render to every man according to his deeds according to Rom. 1. 18 19 20 21. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness because that which may be known of God is manifest in them or to them for God hath shewed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God c. In asmuch therefore as there is a Light remaining in every man since the fall though far inferiour to that which was in man in his innocency I shall endeavour in the next place further to declare these two things 1. What this remaining Light can do or what the utmost uses of it are And 2. What it cannot do There is a fourfold use of the Light that is in every man since the fall 1. To make manifest 2. To direct 3. To convince 4 To feel after God First This Light as the Scripture testifies searcheth all the inward parts of the belly Prov. 20. 27. The Spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord