Exposition of John, Chapter 1 · Verse 7
Ver. 8. He was not that Light, but was ſent to bear witneſſe of that light.
9. That was the true light, which lightneth every man that cometh into the world.
The particular teſtimonies of this witneſſe are intermitted till ver. 15. &c. And before John comes to ſpeak of Chriſts further ſhining and manifeſting himſelf, by taking on our nature; he takes occaſion from what hath been ſaid of John the Baptiſt, to ſpeak ſome more of Chriſts excellencie, his manifeſtations and offices; firſt, with relation to John the Baptiſt, v 8, 9. Next, in reference to his ill entertainment in the world and viſible Church, v. 10, 11. Thirdly, in relation to thoſe who did receive, and embrace him. v. 12, 13.
In theſe verſes, becauſe many doated on John the Baptiſt, and ſome were ſuſpitious that he might be the Meſſiah, Luke 3.15. Therefore John holds forth Chriſts excelleny as far above John the Baptiſt, in his manifeſtations of himſelf; he being that true Original light, who enlightens all mankinde with the light of reaſon and underſtanding, and who is the author of gracious illumination in every one who obtain that mercy; and John being but a witneſſe, to point out that light. Doct. 1. It is a weakneſſe incident to men, to doat, and to have over-weaning thoughts of excellent inſtruments, and to give them more then is their due, which would be prevented and corrected; for, there is need to clear that John was not that light, or the Meſſiah the fountain of light, though he was a burning and ſhining light, being enlightned by him, John 5.35. 2 The higheſt honour of a Miniſter, is, to be appointed a proclaimer of Chriſts excellency, and an inſtrument to hold forth Chriſts light, and adminiſter the outward Ordinance, leaving the bleſſing to be conferred by Chriſt: And this honour is no more to be denied to them, then what is Chriſts due is to be aſcribed to them; for, John was ſent to bear witneſſe of that light. 3. Chriſt is light by nature and of himſelf, not by participation onelyonly, as creatures are; And whatſoever is ſaid of him as a light, is truly and really in him, and whatſoever is borrowed from the creatures to ſet out his excellency, is in him really and truly, and they are but ſhadows compared with him; for, that was the true light, ſaith he, not that John was a falſe light, but he was light by nature, John a ſtar and candle, borrowing light, and lighted from him; What is ſaid of the light of truth in him, againſt error, of comfort againſt trouble, of remiſſion, of reconciliation, &c. is really and truly to be found in him, and in him onelyonly; and all the excellency we finde in light for the good of creatures, is far more eminently and truly to be found in him for the good of ſouls. 4. The efficacie and vertue of Chriſt, the light of his people, is, ſuch, as he cannot onelyonly ſhine on them and make them diſcernable, as the Sun doth on inferiour creatures, but he can ſhine through them, and make them to be enlightned themſelves; This Sun ſhining can give an eye to what he ſhineth on; for, the true light lighteth, &c. 5. All the light that men have, is borrowed from Chriſt; All the light of reaſon and nature, that every one hath, and all the light of A…ts, Sciences, and inventions, are from him; And any light of ſaving grace, …ound knowledge, or true comfort, that any have, it is from him onelyonly; for in all theſe reſpects he lighteth every man that cometh into the world; He giveth to all the faculty of reaſon and underſtanding; and though every man be not enlightned with grace, nor yet with ſpecial gifts and ſciences that others have, yet it holds ſtill good, that no man is ſo enlighned, but he who hath it from him; As when it is ſaid, Pſal. 145.14. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiſeth up all that be bowed down, the meaning is not, that none who fall, and are bowed down, are let lie ſo, but all raiſed up, but that none of theſe are raiſed up or upholden, but by him only.