A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 3 · Part 4 · Subpart 1 · Inferences
Inferences.
1. This may Inform and fully Convince all considerate Persons, what the reason and cause is that the Devil is such an implacable Enemy to the Gospel, and uses all means immaginable to prevent it or hinder the light thereof from shining into our hearts. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2 Cor, 4.3.4.in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2. It also shews us what a great blessing God hath bestowed upon this nation.
3. It may be a means to stir up all poor sinners to believe and obey it, to prize and esteem it.
4. It may teach us to contend earnestly for it, and to hold it fast, in spight of all opposers whatsoever.
5. VVhat Motives might hence be inferred to prevail with all sincere Believers to be earnest with God, that they may behold in this glass more of his glory, to the end it may by its reflected Rayes, change them into the same Image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. That it may shine into their Hearts.
(1.) As they would be as burning and shining Lights to others.
(2.) As they would live in the Joy and Comfort of it themselves.
(3.) As they would approve themselves VVisdoms Children, by justifying and standing by, and for, this glorious Gospel held forth in the word of God, in the worst times.
6. If the Gospel be so glorious it may put each man upon Examination, dost thou perceive and clearly behold the glory which shines forth in it? Some (it is to be feared) never saw the gospel in the glory of it; it is as a sealed Book to them; they see but the outsides of the book, they are not able to discern the lustre and glory which is contained in it; the God of this world hath blinded the minds (saith the Apostle) of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. 4.3.4.who is the Image of God should shine unto them.
Some men commend the gospel only because it contains so many righteous and good Laws, and holy Rules of Justice and Morality, teaching men to live soberly, and to do as they would be done unto, but see but little more in it; which shews these men have but little of the Mystery, and Glory of the Gospel opened to them; for tho' it be granted, that it is one part of the excellency of it, yet it is not the chief, as appears by what hath been said.
Again, There are others who seemingly are much affected with the Gospel (that Book of Books) and yet cry up, and magnifie the Light within above it, as if that was a more perfect Rule than the holy Gospel, and VVord of God; which shews how little of the Gospel glory appears to them.
In the last Place, if the Gospel be so glorious, O pray (whosoever thou art) that God would be pleased to open thine eyes, that thou mayst see it so to be; and cry mightily, that he would be pleased never to take it away from this poor Nation, nor suffer its Glory and Brightness to be Eclipsed by letting in Popish darkness again amongst us. If we once lose the Gospel, we may all cry Ichabod, the glory is departed from England; and, with the Church of Old, say, the Crown is fallen from our heads, wo to us that we have sinned.
Quest.But some may say why doth Satan endeavour to hide the Gospel?
Answ.1. It is because he is such an implacable Enemy to Mankind, he cannot endure the light himself, and he would not (such is his hatred to us) have the light of the Gospel shine upon us.
2. Because of that Malice he bears to the Lord Jesus, he would fain keep men ignorant of a Saviour; Not only out of hatred to man, but also out of implacable enmity to the Lord Christ, that so he may as much as ly's in him hinder our Saviours chief design and intention in coming into the VVorld; which was to bring men out of Darkness into the Light.
3. Because he knows whilst he can keep men ignorant of the Gospel, he hath them fast enough, what Profession soever they make of Religion, tho' they hear, read, pray, give Almes, nay, and in many things reform their lives; yet if they see not the way of Salvation, as it is revealed in the Gospel, he matters it not, they still remain his Captives.
4. Because, it is hereby, his Kingdom is like to fa…; 'tis the light of the Gospel that tends to the utter overthrow and ruine of the Kingdom of darkness.
What wonderful things hath the Gospel done in the World, and what Power is there in it, by the help of the Holy Spirit to dis-Throne Satan, and break all his Chains to pieces; therefore he bestirs himself to hinder the breaking out of Light and Knowledg in every Nation, and causes fierce opposition to be made against those, who endeavour to sup-plant him, and lay open his grand designs. This informs, us, how it comes about there is so much Ignorance and gross Darkness in the World; not only in Popish Countreys, but also where the Gospel is Preached: Though Men hear it Preached every day, yet O how Blind and Ignorant are many Sinners. Men rest satisfied with the bare notion of Things, and Name of Christians, never minding Religion in good earnest, but in a most fearful manner, are grown so fool-hardy, and venturous, as to hazard and expose their Souls unto eternal ruine. The Devil hath blinded their minds, this also shews us from whence it is, there are, and formerly have been, so many false, and detestable Opinions, Errors, and cursed Heresies in the world. Alas, the Devil this way, endeavours to obstruct and hinder the Gospel from being received, he has indeed strove a long time wholly to overthrow the very foundation of the Christian Religion, and to bring in another Gospel; he strives to cheat Men of the true Saviour, and in his stead to Preach another, of whom the Scripture is wholly ignorant, how have many Impudently asserted the Light in all men to be the true Christ, and Saviour of the Word? He doth not only strive to take away his glorious Soveraignity, and set up another Universal Head, who hath power to make Laws, and repeat them in matters of Religion at his pleasure, (as the Followers of the Beast affirm) But now of late endeavours to take away the very Person of the Holy Jesus. Also to change the Ordinances, or wholly to deny them, (hath been, and is another of his Stratagems) which witness to the true Christ, his Death, Burial and Resurrection. And lastly, Satan hath alwaies endeavoured also to bring into contempt the Ministers of the Gospel, or else raise up Persecution upon them; and all these things he doth to hinder the Gospel from shining, or obstruct the promulgation thereof.