A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 3 · Part 4
THE Word of God Compared To LIGHT. The Fourth Head of Metaphors, Allegories, Similitudes, and other borrowed Terms in Scripture; that relate to the most Sacred Word of GOD.
Psal. 119.105.
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path.
2 Pet. 1.19.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a Dark place, &c.
2 Cor. 4.4, 6.
Least the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine upon them, &c.
In handling this Metaphor we will (1.) Shew what Light is. (2.) Give its various acceptations. (3.) Run the Parallel, and largely open the Properties of Gospel Light; Concluding with Practical Improvements upon that and some Dependant and Collateral Points.
LIght properly taken, is thus defined, Lux est claritas seu splendor in Corpore luminoso, vel extra a corpore luminoso exiens— that is, Light is a Clarity, Brightness or Splendor in a luminous body, or proceeding from it—. It is called in Hebrew foreign (Or) from whence comes the Greek foreign, cerno, to behold, which cannot be done, but where there is light—. The Hebrew word foreign Maor is properly a lightsome or lucid body, as the Sun, Moon, Stars, Gen. 1.14, 15, The Greeks call it foreign; Matth. 17.2. Act. 26.23. the Latines lux and lumen—. It is threefold, viz. there is a Natural light, a light of Grace, and a light of Glory; the first is common to all that have the Sense of Seeing, the second to Believers only on Earth, the third to the Saints and glorified Spirits in Heaven.
The second sort of which we treat, proceeds from Christ who is called the light Joh. 1. and his Gospel, which is also called Light, because it has the same influence and Efficacy in illuminating the Minds of Men (which without it are spiritually dark,) as the Sun and other lucid bodies have, to help our Corporal Eyes in the discovery of Objects.
Light Metaphorically is put for life it self, Job. 3.16, 20, 21. (2.) For any Prosperity and Joy of Mind arising from thence Esth. 8.16. (3.) For the open and manifest state of things, Matth. 10.27. Zeph. 3.5. Joh. 3.21. 1 Cor. 4.5. (4.) For Favour and Good Will, Prov. 16.15. (5.) For the Mistery of Regeneration, (1) With respect to the Organical Cause of it, viz. the Word and Spirit of God, Psal. 43. Prov. 6.23. Isa. 2.5.20. 2 Cor. 4.6. 1 John 2.8. (2) With respect to the formal Cause, which is the Saving knowledge of Christ, and true Faith, Act 26.18. Eph. 5.8. 1 Pet. 2.9. 1 John 1.7. Hence Believers are called the Sons of Light, Luk. 16.8. Eph. 5.8. 1 Thes. 5.5. and the Graces of the Spirit and effects thereof, the Armour of Light, Rom. 13.12. (3) VVith respect to the final Cause, the last scope and effect of Faith, which is life Eternal, Isa. 6O 19, 20. Joh. 8.12. Act. 26.23. 2 Tim. 1.10. &c.
More particularly by a Metaphor Light is put for Knowledge, Dan. 5.11. Isa. 60.3. For Beleivers, Eph. 5.8. For the Ministers of the Gospel, Matth. 5.14. For God himself, 1 Joh. 1.5. Natural light was the first perfect Creature that God made of this visible world, Gen. 1.3:
Light is put for the Morning, Neh. 8.3. And he read unto them— from the light (so the Hebrew) until Midday— Noon light (in the Hebrew foreign Zocharajim) signifies double light, or that which is extraordinary shining. The Devil is called an Angel of Light, 2 Cor. 11.14. that is by himself or Agents he assumes a specious and seeming Sanctity on purpose to insnare and deceive the Godly. God is said to dwell in unapproachable Light, 1 Tim. 6. that is in such transcendent Glory, that no Mortal Eye can approach unto. There is nothing so illustrious and glorious as Light, hence the joyes of Heaven are set out by it.