True Old Light Exalted Above Pretended New Light, Sermon 3
Christ the Enligtening Light.
SERM. III.
Joh. 1. 9.
That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Sect. 1. Christ enlightens all things with their natural light, as Creatour.
THe next point is, that Christ Jesus is the enlightening light. The dayspring from on high saith Zacharias, Luk. 1. 79. hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and the shadow of death, Luk. 2. 32. Simeon terms him a light to lighten the Gentiles. For explication of which, it will be requisite that I shew, 1. With what light Christ doth enlighten. 2. Whence it is. 3. By what meanes he doth enlighten. 4. Why he doth enlighten.
1. The light with which Christ doth enlighten is manifold: 1. There is a bodily light in inanimate bodies, such as are the Sun, and Moon, and Stars, of which Moses saith, Gen. 1. 16. And God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the Stars also: And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And it is said, Psal. 33. 6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 2. There is a natural light of creatures, which have sight to discern what is convenient for them, and accordingly do move towards that which agrees with their nature, or remove from that which they discern inconvenient to them. Of the light or life of these beings, it is to be conceived that the word which was in the beginning with God, was the cause, according to that of the Evangelist, Joh. 1. 3. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 3. There is a rational light of men, whereby they are able to judge of what in duty they do or omit, and have a conscience or privity to their own actions as either right or wrong. And of this also Christ is the efficient, as the words following Joh. 1. 4. import, In him was life, and the life was the light of men. All these sorts of light the word enlightens with, as Creatour; it being said of him, That by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist, Col. 1. 16, 17. And to like purpose it is said, Heb. 1. 2, 3. By whom also he made the worlds, and upholding all things by the word of his power.
Sect. 2. Christ enlightens the world with the knowledge of God, as the Prophet of the Church.
There are other sorts of light which are from Christ, as his Fathers Officer sent into the world, and anointed for the recovery of man sallen by sinne. 1. There is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, which is by the enlightening that is in the face or person of Jesus Christ, as Paul expresseth it, 2 Cor. 4. 6. Whereby it is that we see as through a glass the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, 2 Cor. 3. 18. Not as it was with Israel, when they could not look on Moses without a veil over his face, as it is ver. 7. 13. Till Christ appeared in the flesh, the Gentiles were darkness. Paul saith of the Galatians, Gal. 4. 8. Howbeit then when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no Gods. Of the Ephesians, Ye were once darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord, Eph. 5. 8. Of the Corinthians, Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb Idols, as ye were led, 1 Cor. 12. 2. The Jews also had their mindes blinded, the vail remained untaken away in the reading of the old Testament, which vail is done away in Christ, 2 Cor. 3. 14. The being of the true God was so little known to the Gentiles, till Christ appeared to be a light to the Gentiles, that they were not only without God in the world, Eph. 2. 12. Insomuch that the Athenians themselves, sensible of their ignorance of him, inscribed their Altar thus, To the unknown God, Act. 17. 23. confessing God was unknown of them: But they were also so vain in their imaginations, that they imagined those things to be Gods which were no Gods, but creatures made to serve them, being imparted unto all nations under the whole heaven by God, Deut. 4. 19. Yea and under divers resemblances, the meaner sort of living creatures, Rom. 1. 23. And dead men, and Devils, 1 Cor. 10. 20. And for the Jews, they understood not the counsel of God in giving of the Law, and the appointing sacrifices and ceremonies; till by the light of Christ the end of these things was revealed. But the only begotten Son which is in the besome of the Father, he hath declared God, Ioh. 1. 18. revealing his true being, and thereby undeceiving the Gentiles, and his counsels in the giving of the Law, and appointing the legal worship, and thereby hath enlightened the Jews. And this enlightening is proper to him who tells us, Mat. 11. 27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. This light is derived from Christ as the great Prophet of the Church of God.
Sect. 3. Christ as high Priest enlightens with the light of peace and joy in God
2. There is a light of peace with God, which is by Christ, who is our peace, reconciling both Jews and Gentiles in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby, Ephes. 2. 14. 16, This is that peace which Christ calls his peace, which he promiseth to his Apostles, Joh. 14. 27. where he saith, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. And again, Joh 16. 33. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good chear, I have overcome the world. So that this light of peace with God, begets the light of peace and joy in the hearts of those that are Christs; insomuch that being justified by faith, and having peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God, and not only so, but they glory in tribulations also, Rom. 5. 1, 2, 3. This peace of God which passeth all understanding, keeping as a guard their hearts and mindes through Christ Jesus, Phil. 4. 7. Hence it hath come to pass, that even when the wicked are driven away in their wickedness as with a storm, yet the righteous hath hope in his death, Prov. 14. 32. As Oecolampadius when his light failed him near his death, told them about him, that he had light enough within him. Hereby the holy Martyrs and Confessors when the heavens were black over them, the rage, frowns, threats, tortures of tyrants, violently rushed upon them; yet stood unmoved without being shaken by any terrour or grief from them. Who shall separate us saith Paul, Rom. 8. 35, 36, 37, 38, from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay in all these things we are mare then conquerours through him that loved us. For I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This light is derived from Christ, as the high Priest of the people of God.
Sect. 4. Christ as King of Saints, enlightens with the light of glory.
3. There is yet a higher and more illustrious light from Christ, to wit the light of glory, which is termed by the Apostle Paul, Col. 1. 12. the inheritance of the Saints in light, and by our Lord Christ, Joh. 8. 12. the light of life, which is that eternal life, which is said to be the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. 6. 23. This is that blessed light of the new Jerusalem, which hath no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to shine in it, for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, and the nation of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it, Rev. 21. 23, 24. Of this light the glorified Saints shall be fully partakers at the resurrection, when the righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father, Mat. 13. 43. Their vile body, or body of debasement, shall be changed by the Lord Jesus Christ, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, Phil. 3. 21. which is now more glorious then it was on the Mount, Mat. 17. 2. and yet then he was transfigured, and his face did shine as the Sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And for their spirits, doubtless they shall then have farre greater light. Now we see through a glass darkly, or in a riddle, but then face to face: Now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known, 1 Cor. 13. 12. They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple, and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them, they shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more, neither shall the Sun light on them, or any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Rev. 7. 15, 16, 17. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, Rev. 21. 4. No night, or gloomy day, but perpetual light and serenity, everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; all clouds of fear, sorrow, ignorance, despair, disquietnesse shall fly away. And this light shall be from Christ as the King of Saints.
Sect. 5. Christ inlightens by his natural Power, as Gods Son, and by his special Commission, as sent of God.
2. The natural light that all creatures have in their several kinds, is from that natural power which Christ Jesus hath as the Son of God, by whom he made the worlds, who being the brightnesse of glory, and the characteo or expresse Image of his person or substance, bears or upholds all things by the word of his power, Heb. 1. 2, 3. To this purpose tends the speech of Christ, Joh. 5. 17. My Father worketh hitherto and I work, from whence the Jews gathered, that he termed God his own Father, making himself equal with God, ver. 18. to which Christ answers, ver. 19. Verily, verily, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do, for what things soever he doth, these also doth the Son likewise. Which shew that Christ asserted a coworking with his Father in all his works, and power answerable to it. The light of knowledge of God and his counsel, of peace, and joy, and comfort, of glory and everlasting blessednesse, the Lord Christ communicates, as by special Commission delegated by his Father, sealed, sanctified, and sent into the world, whereby he was made the light of the world, according to what he saith, Joh. 9. 5. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. And ver. 39. For judgment am I come into this world, that they which see not, might see, and that they which see, might be made blind. The administration of the affairs belonging to the Kingdom of God, was committed to him for inlightening, governing, protecting, delivering, raising up from the dead, and advancing his Church, subduing the devils, reproving and condemning opposers of his Doctrine and work, judging all in his great day. All things, saith he, Mat. 11. 27. are delivered unto me of my Father, Joh. 5. 20. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works then these, that ye may marvell. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickneth them, even so the Son quickneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man: but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, Mat. 28. 18. All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. By reason whereof, and his being made man to do this work, he is said to come down from Heaven, not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him, Joh. 6. 38. And it is said by Zacharias, Luk. 1. 78. The day spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darknesse.
Sect. 6. Christ inlightens by his Preaching, Example, Spirit, Apostles now in this time, by his Power and Glory in the world to come.
3. The inlightening with the later sorts of light, imparted by Christ as sent into the world, is from him in this time now, or in the world to come. That inlightening which is now in thistime, is either by himself or his Deputies, immediately, or by mediation of others. 1. Christ in the daies of his flesh, or as it is expressed John 9. 5. As long as he was in the world, was the light of the world. 1. He was the light of the world by his preaching, wherein he was as the Sun, still moving and inlightening all sorts, and in all places taking occasion to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, to the poor and all sorts of people who resorted to him. After his temptation he went about all Galilee teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sicknesse, and all manner of disease among the people, Mat. 4. 23. When he preached in the house, there was such resort to him, that his Mother and Brethren could not come at him by reason of the presse, but stood without desiring to speak with him, but he preferred the work of reaching the people, before private conference with his Mother, Mat. 12. 47, 48, 49, 50. No sooner was he got out of the house, and come to the sea side, but great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship and sate, and the whole multitude stood on the shore, and he taught them many things by Parables, Mat. 13. 1, 2, 3. After he had been in a desert a while, when he came out, seeing much people, was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a Shepherd, and he began to teach them many things, Mark. 6. 34. He was wont to go to the Mount of Olives to pray, Luk. 22. 39. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him, and he sate down and taught them, Joh. 8. 2. When he was in the way travelling, when he was at meales, he was still teaching his Disciples, or those that were with him. He neglected eating, to prosecute the work of winning souls, and lightening them by his preaching. And this he counted his meat, as he told his Disciples, Joh. 4 34. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. By this means the people which sate in darknesse saw great light: and to them which sate in the region and shadow of death, light sprang up, Mat. 4. 16. Thus Jesus Christ hath abolished death, and brought immortality and life to light by the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10.
2. Christ was a light also by his Example. Good example doth inlighten men, not only directing, but also provoking others to follow their steps. Men as they are sociable, so they love to do as they see others do. Hence it is that they live as much by examples as by Precepts. Wherefore saith Christ, Mat 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven. Now of all the examples that ever were, there was none more illustrious then Christs: None so full of love, goodnesse, meeknesse, patience, humility, contentedesse, obedience, innocence, quietnesse, holy zeal, courage, diligence in his work, self-denial, heavenlynesse, faith, hope in God, and whatever else is amiable and imitable. He went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil, Act. 10 33. He did no sinne, neither was guile found in his mouth; when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatned not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, 1 Per. 2. 22, 23. The real of Gods house did eat him up, Joh. 2. 17. It was his meat do do the will of him that sent him, and to finish his work, Joh. 4. 34. He was the good Shepherd, that laid down his life for his Sheep, Joh. 10. 11. Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to the end, Joh. 13. 1. Though he were their Lord and Master, yet he washed his Disciples feet, ver. 23. 24. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9. Being in the form of God, he made himself of no reputation, but took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likenesse of men, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the crosse, Phil. 2. 6, 7, 8. He pleased not himself, but as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached God, fell on him, Rom. 15. 3. The Son of man came not to be ministred to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransome for many, Mat. 20. 28. In all these things, and in all other his words and deeds he did shine forth so clearly, that even his enemies could not but acknowledge him to have been a holy and just person: even before Pontius Pilate he witnessed so good a confession, 1 Tim. 6. 13. that Pilate who condemned him, yet acquitted him from fault, and the malefactor that suffered with him testified, that he had done nothing amisse, Luk. 23. 4, 14, 41.
3. Christ did inlighten now in this time, as the expression is, Mark. 10. 38. after his resurrection untill the day in which he was taken up, by giving Commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the Apostles whom he had chosen, to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them fourty daies, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, Act. 1. 2, 3.
2. After his departure out of the world into Heaven, he was and is an inlightening light, now in this time mediately. 1. By sending of the Holy Spirit, whom he promised to send to the Apostles from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, and that he should testifie of him, Joh. 15. 26. And guide them into all truth: that he should not speak of himself, but whatsoever he should hear, that he should speak, and would shew them things to come: he should glorifie Christ, for he should receive of his, and should shew it to the Apostles, that all that the Father had were his, and therefore he said, he should take of his, and shew it to them, Joh. 16. 13, 14, 15. Which was accordingly accomplished when the holy Spirit was given to them, and those Prophets, and other Teachers, whom Christ gave to his Church, were endued with the Holy Ghost after his ascension. To whom and to the rest of Believers, the holy Spirit is given as the earnest of their Inheritance, and thereby the eyes of their understanning are inlightened, that they may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints, Eph. 1. 14, 18. Who receive not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that they might know the things which are freely given them of God, 1 Cor. 2. 12. Because they are Sons, God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying Abba Father, Gal. 4. 6.
2. By the sending of Apostles and other Teachers into all Nations, of whom in that respect he said, Mat. 5. 14, 15. Ye are the light of the world. A City that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Ephes. 3. 8, 9. Paul saith of himself, To me is this grace given, to inlighten all men, as the word foreign signifies, being the same which is used Joh. 1. 9. And indeed, Christ when he ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men, some Apostles, and some Prophets: and some Evangelists: and some Pastours and Teachers, Eph. 4. 8, 11. who were Angels of light, and being placed on high hills, in great Cities, and on Candlesticks in many Churches, were eminent lights in the world. So that was said of the Heavens, Psal. 19. 4. was verified of them, Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world, Rom. 10. 18. By which light the unfruitfull works of darknesse, to wit, the w…les of the powers of darknesse, in their Idolatries and other wickednesse, was discovered, and innumerable souls brought out of the power of darknesse into the Kingdom of the Son of God. From whose light succeeding Teachers, by preaching the Gospel, and baptizing Believers, which the Ancients called inlightening, many millions of people through the Romane Empire, and other parts of the earth, became Christians, and were added to the Children of light: and these Teachers are termed Starres in Christs right hand, Rev. 1. 20.
Lastly, In the world to come, as the phrase of Christ is, Mark. 10. 30. As the lightening that lighteneth out of the one part under Heaven, shineth unto the other part under Heaven: so shall also the Son of man be in his day, Luk. 17. 24. Then shall he put on his glorious apparel, and deck himself with light as a garment, and being attended with all the Angels of light, shall come in the glory of his Father, and raise up the bodies of all the Children of light, and bring them to the light; so as that those eyes which were boared out for acknowledging him, shall see him riding on the clouds of heaven triumphantly, and they themselves shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father. And then he shall be our noon-light, we shall know as we are known, 1 Cor. 13. 12.
Sect. 7. Christ inlightens by reason of his own lustre, and his Fathers design to to shew him to the world.
The Reasons why Christ is thus an inlightening light, are 1. From his own property; he being light of himself, is as all light is, apt to communicate his light to the world. As the property of the fire is to burn, and the property of water to moysten, so it is the property of light to shine forth: Nothing is more diffusive of it self, and apt to shew it self to others, then light: Darknesse hides things, but light makes them appear. As the Prince of darknesse disguiseth himself, puts on the form of a Serpent, or Samuel; loves to act in the night, to keep men in ignorance and blindnesse, it being the way most agreeable to his Kingdom, which is the Kingdom of darknesse: so the Lord Jesus, the Lord of glory, loved the light, his Kingdom being the Kingdom of light. His birth was manifested by a Starre, Mat. 2. 2. he being the Star that should come out of Jacob, as Balaam foretold, Numb. 24. 17. And there was darknesse over all the Land at his death, so that the Sun was darkned, Luk. 23. 44, 45. Which shewed that then the Sun of righteousnesse was eclipsed. His preaching was in the light, I spake openly, said he, Job. 18. 20. to the world, I ever taught in the Synagogue, and in the Temple, whither the Jews alwaies resort, and in secret have I said nothing. His life and practice also was so illustrious and open, that he could boldly appeal to his adversaries own testimony of him, Which of you convinceth me of sin? Joh. 8. 46.
2. Christ was the true light inligntening the world by his Fathers special design, 1. Out of special love to his people, for whose sake Christ was anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor, sent to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luk. 4. 18. According to the Prediction, Isa. 60. 1, 2, 3. Arise, be inlightened, for thy light cometh, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, the darknesse shall cover the earth, and grosse darknesse the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising. Which is applied thus by Paul, Ephes. 5. 14. Wherefore he saith; Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 2. Out of special affection to Christ. For the Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand, Joh. 3. 35. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth all things that himself doeth. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickneth them: even so the Son quickneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, bus hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent him, Joh. 6. 21, 22, 23. To this end it was that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among men, (and they beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth, John 1. 14. And to this end did he appear to John, Revel. 1. 13. cloathed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire. And his feet like unto fine brasse, as if they burned in a furnase; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven Starres: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword: and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength, ver. 14, 15, 16. His last glorious appearing, as it is termed, Tit. 2. 13. shall be with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8, 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, God having highly exalted him, and given him a Name which is above every Name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue should confesse, that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father, Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11.
Sect. 8. Application by way of Inference, that we are to blesse God for Christs inlightening, and all that are Christs, are Children of Light.
From that which hath been said, it follows 1. That there is much cause that we should blesse God for this incomprehensible benefit to men, especially us Gentiles, of raising up Christ to be the inlightening light of the world. Sure all light which shews to inlighten, and not to amaze, is a great gift. They that have been long blind, or kept in darknesse, and after recover their sight, and see the light, how are they over-joyed! When blind Bartimaeus received his sight, he followed Christ glorifying God, Luk. 18. 43. And shall not we glorifie God, who receive lightfrom Christ, not only to follow him in the way in which he travelled on earth, but also in the way in which he passed into glory? We sometimes seem to wish, that God would send us the light of Heaven, and will we not praise God who hath sent his Son from Heaven to be the true inlightening light to guide us to Heaven? Zacharias blessed God, that by his tender mercy the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darknesse, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace, Luk. 1. 78, 79. Simeon desired to live no longer, after his meeting with Christ in the Temple, but blessed God that his eyes had seen his salvation, which he had prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel, Luk. 2. 28, 29, 30, 31. Herein we are bound to imitate them, and to be inlarged in our blessing God, and glorifying him for this great injoyment of the true inlightening light.
2. Sith Christ is the inlightening light, they that are Christs are Children of the light, and of the day, not of the night or darknesse, 1 Thes. 5. 5. They therefore that abide in darknesse, and walk in darknesse, have no communion with Christ. For what fellowship hath righteousnesse with unrighteousnesse? And what communion hath light with darknesse? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15. Now he that hateth his Brother, is in darknesse, and walketh indarknesse, and knoweth not whether he goeth, because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes, 1 Joh. 2. 11. And what is their practice, but practice of harred of their Brethren, whose tongue; are still venting reviling speeches against their Brethren, as not in the light, because they confesse sin in themselves, and make not the light in their own consciences a sufficient light to guide them, but sollow the light of the holy Scriptures? Surely these are not in the light, who are so full of self-boasting of their own perfection, and Pharisee-like, despising others. Were we in errour, yet in meeknesse those that oppose themselves should be instructed, 2 Tim. 2. 25. if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Wherein they failing and following the Prince of darknesse in railing accusations, Iude 9. shew themselves not to be in the light of which they brag, but in darknesse. And so likewise they do in not coming to the light of the Scriptures taught by Preachers, whom they contemptuously term Priests. Herein also they shew themselves not to be children of the light, in that they will not disclose plainly what they hold, but hide their opinions in cloudy misty expressions; and when by quistions put to them, there is endeavour to find them out, they shift in answering, and fall to reviling. In a word; all that walk in hatred, pride, ignorance, intemperance, uncleannesse, deceit, and such like evils, shew they are not in the light, nor have communion with christ, but abide in darknesse. You that would approve your selves to be in Christ, must cast away the works of darknesse, and put upon you the armour of light, and have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darknesse, but reprove them rather, Rom. 13. 12. Ephes. 5. 11. But of this more in that which follows.