True Old Light Exalted Above Pretended New Light, Sermon 2
Christ the True Light.
SERM. II.
Joh. 1. 9.
That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Sect. 1. Christ no counterfeit Light.
HOw Jesus Christ is Light, hath been shewed, how he is the True Light, is next to be cleared. It is said of him, whose Name is called the Word of God, Revel. 19. 13. that he was called faithfull and true, ver. 11. And in reference to him, it is said, 1 Joh. 2. 8. The true light now shineth. Now Christ is said to be the true light, 1. In respect of his being, which is usually termed Metaphysick truth. 2. In respect of his sayings, which is Logick or Moral truth.
In the first sort of truth Christ is said to be the true light, 1. To distinguish him from those which were counterfeits and feigned lights: For true is opposed to that which is only in pretence, but not really such. Our Lord Christ saith, Joh. 10. 8. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; that is, were not true lights, meaning this not simply of all, not of Moses, of whom it is said, Isa. 63. 11. Then he remembred the daies of old, Moses and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the Sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Nor of David, of whom it is said, Psal. 78. 72. That he fed Israel according to he integrity of his heart: But of such as the Prophet Zechariah ch. 11. 17. saith, We to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock. Such as were the false Prophets among the Jews, the Scribes and Pharisees, and Lawyers, in and asore Christs time, who instead of being sent by God, came of themselves, ran and he sent them not, yet pretended a Mission from God. In like sort Paul saith, 2 Cor. 11. 13, 14, 15. For such are salse Apostles, deceitfull workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. And no marvell: for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light, therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of righteousnesse. But the Lord Christ came from the Father, John 16. 28. was sent by him, Joh. 17. 3. He spake not of himself, but the Father which sent him, gave him Commandement what he should say and what he should speak: whatsoever he spake therefore, even as the Father said unto him so he spake, Joh. 12. 49, 50. So that he was not a light by usurpation, imposture, disguise or transformation, but by a true Commission as sealed by his Father, Joh. 6. 27. sanctified and sent into the world, Joh. 10. 36.
Sect. 2. Christ more then a typical Light.
2. Christ is the true light in contradistinction to those, which were only Types or Shadows, representing Christ to come. The word [true] is used in this sense, Heb. 8. 2. A Minister of the true Tabernacle; that is, not only of that shadowy Tabernacle, which was only a parable or figure for the time present, as the expression is, Heb. 9. 9. but the reall Tabernacle, for an Image of which that Tabernacle was made. Again Heb. 9. 24. it is said, Christ is not entered into the holyes made by hand, which were figures or antityps of the true, but into Heaven it self, where the holy place of the Tabernacle is made the antitype and representative, and Heaven the true holy place. In like manner there were lights in the Tabernacle, there were lamps and lights of pure oyl burning in the Tabernacle, there was fire at the Altar, which at first came down from Heaven, and these were shadows of things to come, but the body is of Christ, Col. 2. 17. And in this sense also truth came by Jesus Christ, Joh. 1. 17. There is mention of seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God, Rev. 4. 5. But this hinders not, but that Christ might be shadowed by the lamps in the Tabernacle, and the fire on the Altar, sith that which was signified by them, the inlightning the people of God, who are the holy Priesthood of God, and the making ready the Sacrifice that it might be accepted with God, was most truly verified of Jesus Christ, through whom we now worship the Father in spirit and truth, Joh. 4. 23, 24. and our spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God, 1 Pet. 2. 5.
Sect. 3. Other Lights are no Lights in comparison of Christ.
3. Christ is the true light comparatively, as being the chief light, in comparison of whom other lights are not to be so termed. 'Tis true, John Baptist is said to be a burning and a shining light, Joh. 5. 35. And the word of the Prophets is termed a light shining in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1. 19. And Christ saith of his Apostles, Mat. 5. 14. they were the light of the world. Yet they were as no lights in comparison of Christ, who was in the bosome of the Father, and hath declared him, Joh 1. 18. as foreign, one that himself saw him, and who received not the Spirit by measure, and therefore spake the words of God above others, Joh. 3. 35. As in like manner we are lights, who now preach the Gospel, yet comparatively to the Apostles, who could say, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, and our hands have felt of the words of life we declare unto you, 1 Joh. 1. 1, 3. we are but dark. The Law was a light, and the Commandement was a lamp, Prov. 6. 23. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, saith the Psalmist, Psal. 119. 105. Yet in comparison of the Gospel of Glory of Christ, who is the Image of God, 2 Cor. 4. 4. it is scarce to be termed light, but as the Star-light is as no light when the Sun is risen, so even that which was made glorious, to wit, the giving of the Law, had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excelleth, 2 Cor. 3. 10. That is, in comparison of the Gospel, which is as the day-star, and Sun-rising, 2 Pet. 1. 19.
Sect. 4. Christ the Original Light.
4. Christ is the true light, as being the Original light, from whom other delegated lights, which are set up in Christs stead, as it is 2 Cor. 5. 20. do borrow their light. It is true, the Father of our Lord Christ, is termed the Father of lights, Jam. 1. 17. And Christ is light of light, light from the Father of lights, yet all is so fully invested in Christ, that he could say, Joh. 16. 15. All things that the Father hath are mine. And therefore he saith even of the holy Spirit himself, whom he calls the Spirit of truth, that he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, Ver. 13. And he shall glorifie me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you, Ver. 14. And when the Prophets testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow, it was the Spirit of Christ which was in them, that did signifie them, 1 Pet. 1. 11. And in like sort, when the Apostles, by their preaching, were lights of the world, yet they received from Christ that which they declared, 1 Joh. 1. 2, 3. And those Believers who were brought to the knowledge of Christ among the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 3. 3. are said to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by the Apostles. So that as the light of the Sun is the true light, because it is the fountain of light, the Moon and other Stars borrowing their light from it: in like manner Christ is the true light, as being he from whom the Prophets, Apostles, and holy Teachers derive their light, which they impart to the world.
Sect. 5. Christ the perfect Light.
4. Christ is the true light, that is, the most perfect light. [True] is taken for that which is perfect, which attains the end, to which nothing is wanting requisite to the use of riches, Luk. 16. 11. opposite to the Mammon of unrighteousnesse, which is defective, not sufficient to make a man happy. Now Christ is the true or perfect light, 1. Because he is the highest light, the rising-Sun, or day-spring from on high, or the height, to wit, of Heaven, Luk. 1. 78. A light placed on high, and that riseth from Heaven, is a greater light then a Beacon fired; and a Beacon on a hill fired, then a Bonfire in a low valley. The Original of Christ being a light, which came from God, that was from above, Joh. 8. 23. makes him the more conspicuous and greater light. 2. The light which is universal, is a more perfect light then that which is a light to one part onelyonly, as the Sun is the most perfect light, because his going forth is from the end of the Heaven, and his circuit to the end of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof, Psal. 19. 6. Now Christ is the light of the world, Joh. 8. 12. Not only the glory of the people of Israel, but also a light to lighten the Gentiles, Luk. 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. 3. That is the most perfect light, which is without any mixture of darknesse. Mow Christ is light, and in him is no darknesse at all. Lord, said Peter, Ioh. 21. 17. thou knowest all things. Surely there was no errour in Chrlst, which might darken his understanding; or nescience, which might disable him from inlightning those, that sit in darknesse, and guiding their feet into the way of peace, Luk. 1. 79. which is the chief use of the heavenly light of Christ. 4. He is a perpetual light. John was a light for a season, Ioh. 5. 35. he was to decrease in his lustre and use, when Christ was to increase, Ioh. 3. 30. The Prophets and Apostles were lights in their time, but they had on earth their eclipses, the Prophets could not alwaies declare the mind of God. Nathan, 2 Sam. 7. 3. bid David do all that was in his heart, and yet ver. 4. that night he had a countermand. Elisha said, 2 Kings 4. 24. of the Shunamite, her soul is vexed within her, and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. Prophetick light was not, as the Schoolmen said truly, in them, in manner of a habit, which might dispose them to reveal the mind of God at any time, but holy men of God spake as they were carried or moved by the holy Ghost, 2 Pet. 1. 21. And the Apostles did not alwaies speak by the Spirit, Peter was to be blamed when he compelled the Gentiles to live as do the Jews, Gal. 2. 11, 14. to him whom Christ said, Mat. 16. 18. Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, he after said, ver. 23. Get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. But it was otherwise with Christ, his knowledge was habitual, alwaies ready in every thing he was to speak to, never deficient, he needed not that any should testifie of man, Ioh. 2. 25. He spake what he had seen and heard, Ioh. 3. 32. we speak that we do know, and testifie that we have seen, ver. 11. He whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him, ver. 34. The Prophets and the Apostles were lights in their time: but their light is set, I mean their personal preaching ceaseth. Zech. 1. 5. Your Fathers where are they? And the Prophets, do they live for ever? 2 Pet. 1. 14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. But of Christ it is said, Rom. 6. 9, 10. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more, death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God, Eph. 4. 8. When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men, ver. 10. He that descended, is the same also that ascended farre above all Heavens, that he might fill all things, to wit, with his light; as it follows, ver. 11, 12, 13. And he gave some, Apostles: and some, Prophets: and some, Evangelists: and some Pastours and Teachers; for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ. So that Christ is now not only a permanent light, but also more eminent, shining as he did on the earth to the Iews, so more gloriously, since his ascension, to the Gentiles. And though the man of sin hath much obscured the light of Christ; and the mystery of iniquity that began to work in Pauls time hath prevailed, after the working of Satan with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, yet shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his coming, 2 Thes. 2. 7, 8, 9.
And then shall Christ shine more gloriously in his day, and with him the righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father, Matth. 13. 43. And then shall the Lord be to them an everlasting light, and their God their glory, Isa. 60. 19.
Sect. 6. Christ the effectual inlightning Light.
Christ is the true light, that is, the effectual light, which doth indeed that which light is to do. As he is termed the true bread which was from Heaven, Ioh. 6. 32. because he giveth life to the world, ver. 33. He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever, ver. 58. And as he is termed the true vine, Ioh. 15. 1. Because he yeilds fruit as a vine, so is he termed the true light, because he doth inlighten effectually. John 8. 12. I am the light of the world, saith Christ: be that followeth me, shall not walk in darknesse, but shall have the light of life. Ioh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darknesse. There are lights, that like ignis fatuus, foolish fire, lead men into dark places, lakes and bogs, whereinto they that follow them perish: There are lights that for a while lead men in the way, and then soon go out, and so leave men in darknesse and perplexity. But the Lord Christ leads alwaies in the right way, even in the way of life; neither is he ever extinguished, but so shines, as that whosoever follows him, shall be directed aright in his way, be guided into the way of peace, Luk. 7. 79. With thee, saith the Psalmist, Psal. 36. 9. is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. There is an amazing light, that by its brightnesse, doth as it were strike dead, and cast down to the earth, Revel. 1. 16, 17. When Christ appeared to John in his glory, and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength, upon the sight of him John fell at his feet as dead. When Saul journied to Damascus, about noon suddainly there-shine from Heaven a great light round about him, so that he could not see for the glory of the light, but was blind for some daies, Acts 22. 6. 11. Acts 9. 9. The Lord Christ is an excelling light, yet not striking dead, nor casting down, nor blinding, but rather an erecting light, a clearing light, a directing light, an enlivening, and inlightning light; which would lead me to the consideration of the way of Christs inlightning, but that somewhat more is to be said of the truth of Christ the light.
Sect. 7. Christ was the true Light in respect of the truth of his words.
2. Christ is the true light, in respect of his sayings, he delivered that which was truth, which is Logick truth, and the truth he spake according to his mind, which is moral truth. 1. He could freely say, John 8. 14. Though I bear record of my self, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whether I go. Ver. 16. If I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. Ver. 17, 18. It is written in your Law, that the testimony of two men is true: I am one that bear witnesse of my self, and the Father that sent me beareth witnesse of me. Ver. 26. He that sent me is true, and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. Ver. 28. When ye have lift up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of my self: but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. Ver. 31, 32. If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my Disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Ver. 40. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God. Ver. 45. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? Joh. 10. 25. The works that I do in my Fathers Name, bear witnesse of me. Ver. 37, 38. If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Joh. 16. 10. The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of my self: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. In which speeches, our Lord Christ avers the truth of the light, that is Doctrine or Words he taught, in that they were received from God, and witnessed by him, which was proved, 1. By the works which Christ did; which were invincibly proved to be of God, by the greatnesse, frequency, freenesse, and goodnesse of them, being in opposition to Satan, and with such evidence of all freedom from imposture and acquaintance with Satan, that even those who followed not Christ, did in his Name cast out Devils, Luk. 10. 49, 50. And by this he refuted, Luk. 11. 19. the Pharisees, who imputed his casting out Devils, to an assistance of the Prince of the Devils. 2. By the concomitants and consequents of his lifting up, which was his death on the crosse, Joh. 11. 32, 33. For, 1. The prediction of it, with the fulfilling thereof, shewed he spake from God, whose property it is to foretell future contingents as certain. 2. The things themselves proved him to come from God. 1. The wonderfull accidents that hapned at his death, Mat. 27. 54. the renting of the Vcil of the Temple, and of the rocks, and the quaking of the earth, and opening of the graves, made the Centurion and his Souldiers say, Truly this was the Son of God. 2. His Resurrection, not withstanding all the obstruction used by Pilate and the Jews, with the rising of many bodies of the Saints which slept, and appeared to many in Jerusalem, manifest by the many and undoubted signs thereof to many persons many times proves his descent from God. 3. The giving of the Spirit on the great day of Pentecost, in the sight of Proselytes from all Countries, which was also done by Apostles in other places, together with many Miracles in his Name, proved that he taught the truth he received from the Father. 4. The dispossessing of Satan of his Empire in the worship of Idols, and the giving of Oracles as from them, and the drawing of the Gentiles to him, as he foretold, Joh. 12. 31, 32. in which was part of the great mystery of Godlinesse, 1 Tim. 3 16. which we at this day see accomplished, together with many other Prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem, its treading down of the Gentiles, the Preaching of the Gospel over all the world, the calamities of the Jews, the persecution of the Christians, with other things, Matth. 24. Luk. 21. and elsewhere, abundantly demonstrate that he was the true light which came down from Heaven, in respect of the Doctrine he taught, and words he spake.
His words also appear to be the true light, from the matter of them, and the ends whereunto they tend, and the effects of them. For, 1. The matter of them is pure like God, containing holy Precepts, not amorous Poems, or sophistical quirks of wit, or curious devices of art, or cunning maxims of State policy, or glorious atchievements of war, or any thing that tends to exalt man, but such Precepts and Revelations as make man spiritual, heavenly, wise, like unto God. There is nothing vain and fabulous, like to the 2 Pet. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 4. 2.frothy wit of men, nor deceitfull, like to the wily old Serpent, but solid and weighty, concerning peace with God, conversion unto him, denying our selves, taking up our Crosse, following of Christ in patience contentednesse, meeknesse, humility, and such like things, as shew faith in God, and hope of a reward in Heaven; all plain without flattery of men to induce them to follow him in hopes of earthly preferment, and worldly wealth, or pleasure, or praise of men, but the clean contrary: yet are they such things as, when declared, appear so necessary for sinners, so full of goodnesse, and congruity to Prophetical Predictions, that the conscience of men not listed up with pharisaical concei's of self-righteousnesse, nor obstinately addicted to their own lusts, will assent to and embrace them. 2. The ends of them, and the effects, are the salvation of man, and the glory of God. All that Christ spake, it was to comfort the humble and afflicted soul, Luk. 4. 18. to ease the burthened, Matth. 11. 28. to direct them to God, to reform the evils in Gods worship, to take men off from covetousnesse, hypocrisie, and such evils as are pernicious, to believe in God, to love each other, to lay up our treasure in Heaven, not to be excessively carefull for the things of this life, with whatever else might bring men nigh to God, and alienate them from this present evil world. And accordingly so were and are the effects, regeneration or new birth, rejoycing in God, mortification of the deeds of the body, comfort in tribulation, a life of faith, love to the Brethren in Christ, and everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. All which, with inumerable other Characters and Symptomes of Christs Doctrine and Testimony, do shew that he was the true light, and that what he spake to Pilate, Joh. 18. 37. was right, To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witnesse unto the truth: every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Lastly, That in respect of his sincerity or moral truth he was the true light, it is manifest in that as he said to the Jews, he sought not his own will, but the will of the Father which sent him, Joh 5. 30. That he sought not his own glory, Joh. 8. 50. Which appears in that he sometimes forbad the spreading of his fame, withdrew himself when they would have made him King, Joh. 6. 15. was content to be deprived of ordinary conveniencies, Luk. 9. 58. In a word, made himself of no reputation, or emptied himself, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likenesse of men, and being in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even to the death of the crosse, Phil. 2. 7, 8. that he might give Testimony to the truth.
Sect. 8. Application by way of Vindication of our selves from the Accusation of Quakers, as if we denied the Light, John 1. 9. and warning to shun false Lights.
From that which hath been said, 1. It may appear, that those who go under the name of Quakers, do unjustly accuse publique Preachers, as if they did deny the true light, which inlighteneth every man that cometh into the world; that they deny Christ the light: for so in their speeches and books they do frequently charge them. None that I have seen, is more profuse and frequent in these charges then G. F. that is, George Fox, in his Catechism, who saith, p. 7 Toat neither the Jews nor Christians, do believe in the light, which doth inlighten every man that cometh into the world, though they professe some of Christs and the Apostles words, which the Jews do not. P. 9. he saith, Teachers by the will of man (meaning publique Preachers in England) and Professors say, that Christ doth not inlighten every one that cometh into the world, and they deny Christ. P. 13. That none can confesse Christ, but who confesse the light which every man is inlightened withall. But frequently in the same paper, he terms such as acknowledge not the light, which he imagins every one hath, Antichrists, Deceivers, not Teachers of Christ, but deniers of him, p. 15. But this crimination is but the raving of men, that are used to make clamours and outcries without any proof. Though the text plainly enough distinguisheth the light inlightening, and the light in every man, from that true light inlightning, yet they do not, or will not understand this difference, but confound the light inlightning (which is indeed Christ) with the light within each man, which they term Christ, and therefore make them that deny the light within, to be deniers of Christ; as if a man must deny the Sun to be light, who doth deny the light to be in blind Bartimaeus his eyes And yet we do not deny the light which is in every man that cometh into the world, only we deny the sufficiency of it self, without Scripture, preaching, and learning, to bring us to God, and to direct us in his worship, and to make known Christ to us, and the way of reconciliation and salvation by him. Again, because we call the Scriptures a light, and the Preachers lights, therefore they exclaim against us as if we denied Christ the light, and the light within. Whereas there is no repugnancy between these: Christ is the chiefest and highest light, and yet the Law of God, the Scriptures, the Apostles are lights of the world. Would any man in his wits reason thus? The Sun is the great light in the Heavens, and the Sun inlightens the eyes, therefore he that calls the Moon a light, or a torch or candle a light, denies the Sun to be the light that inlightens all the world, and the light that is in mens eyes. Sure these men, while they thus, I cannot say argue, but clamour, give occasion to sober men, to question whether they be not of those that come into world without light, that have no light in them, sith they cannot discern the want of reason in these sottish speeches, more suitable to idiots and children, then to men of ripe age. But I rather choose to pray God to give them light, then to upbraid them with their darknesse: and to acquit our selves from their charge, rather then discover their folly.
2. However it is necessary, that we be all warned to avoid false lights, and to make use of Christ the true light. There is much affectation and pretence of new light in these our daies. Nor is it to be denied, but that, through the blessing of God, much light, either new or newly appearing, hath shined forth: sundry points in Divinity, sundry texts of holy Scripture, have been lately more cleared then they were in former daies. Neverthelesse, it is to be heeded, that under pretence of new light, many vain fancies are vented and received, and that Satan hath prevailed with many to put darknesse for light, and light for darknesse. Of these none have more manifestly denied Christ, then those that make a Christ within them the true light; and while they except against the light of the Scriptures, and the Word preached, under pretence of Christ being the Word, they put darknesse for light, in that they make the natural light in each man, which is but darknesse in spirituals, as if it were to be heeded as mens rule in all sorts of duties, and knowledge of the things of God. Doubtlesse such men do really deny Christ, who deny the words of Christ to be their Rule: He that rejecteth ms, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him, saith Christ, John 12. 48. And where to find Christs words if not in Scripture I know not, which while men leave, and deny to be the Gospel, but direct men to the light within them, and call that the Gospel, they do plainly reject Christ the light, and follow the false light of mens vain imaginations; nor can it be expected but that they should walk in darkness, and stumble and fall to their destruction. Be perswaded therefore as you desire your safety, to make use of Christ the true light indeed, not in that sense in which Fanaticks call Christ the light in them, which is not the true Christ or true light (who is in heaven, but shines forth in the Scriptures, and the explaining and preaching the doctrine which is contained in them) but a meer phantasme or foolish fire, which serves not to guide but to delude men. The same is to be said of them that follow Ecclesiastick traditions unwritten, Popes determinations, Prelates, and Councils Canons, Fathers sayings, as their light: Concerning all whom it is true, that there is no light in them, that they are not derived from Christ the true light, except they agree with the words of Christ in the holy Scripture, whereby the true light doth enlighten, as is to be shewed in the next point to whch I proceed.