True Old Light Exalted Above Pretended New Light, Sermon 9
Christ is to be chosen and followed as our Light.
SERM. IX.
Containing an Exhortation to use Christ as our Light.
Joh. 1. 9.
That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
THe principal Use of all I have said is, That you may be induced to embrace and follow the Lord Christ as the great light of the world. Besides the evidence out of holy Scripture, to prove him to have been sent from God a light into the world, the accomplishment of what he foretold, the success of his errand which he declared with the great wisdome and holiness in all his sayings and doings, do amply confirm it. It is true, among the Gentile Philosophers there was light, but it was dimme; there was light in the Law, but it was imperfect; no light which is truly such is to be rejected, yet in comparison of the light of Christ, it was but darkness. Philosophers light guided men well in some things, in most did lead men into crooked and dangerous wayes; in the true worship of God they were wholly dark. The teachers of the Law did teach many things aright about Gods being, works, worship; but in the great business of reconciling man to God, erecting the kingdome of heaven, and the coming of the Messiah to judgement, were as blinde as Moles. No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man being in heaven, Joh. 3. 13. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him, Joh. 1. 18. Compare Gospel precepts and promises with the most accurate sayings of any other Writers not divinely inspired, and you will finde the former exceed the later in wisdome and truth, as much as gold doth lead; or bread, acornes. Indeed the things are such as none but a holy person would declare, they are so opposite to sin and ungodliness, specially when they did inevitably exasperate mens rage, and procure persecution unto death. They are such as none could declare but he that came from God; they are so agreeable to what the Prophets and holy men of old delivered; so much advancing Gods glory; overthrowing Satans kingdome; and leading men to God: The predictions of things to come concerning; himself, his Apostles, the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world, the persecutions of his Disciples, the propagating of his Church, the destruction of Jerusalem, the giving of the holy Ghost, his death, resurrection, ascension, the dispossessing Satan of his Empire in the world, the conversion of the Gentiles; which are all accomplished, besides many other things not yet finished, but yet in fieri, in doing (of which the things already done, besides the signes of the nearness of their accomplishment, do give firm assurance) do make infallible proof of Christs being that true light which enlightens the world. Nicodemus, though one of that Sect which most envied his repute, yet was forced to tell him, Rabbi, we know thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou dost, except God be with him, Ioh. 3. 2. The Devil hath attempted to raise some up, who might as Christs apes make shew of doing such things as Christ and his Apostles did; but their imposture hath quickly appeared. Neither Julian, nor the Iewes of the first ages, nor other adversaries of Christ, though great impugners of Christianity, could ever evince any falshood in the Evangelists relations of Christ and his acts. The witnesses of them though persons of understandidg and intergrity, laid down their lives in testimony of them, notwithstanding the sorest tortures used to force them to a denial, in spight of all the practices of the Devil; yet the preaching of Christ crucified, prevailed to pull down the Idols of the Nations, and to bring in a sort the known world to the obedience of the faith. Though the lewes contradicted and blasphemed, the Roman Emperours raged, Lucian jeered, Libanius wrangled, Julian calumniated, Papists corrupt, Gnosticks, Hereticks, Fanaticks, Quakers, adulterate and cloud the truth of Christ, they do but piss against the Sun; the light of Christs doctrine, the truth of the Gospel, doth and will shine forth: Nor can all the cavils of modern Atheists, or the dust raised by new Phantastiques, take away the brightness of Christs light, or hinder its enlightening from others then themselves. And shall we after all the arguments given of Christs being the true light, follow after ignes fatuos, under pretence of new light? What real comfort, or spiritual help to holiness, or heavenly directions, do they give to lead men to God, better then Christ hath done? May you not discern a vain-glorious spirit, a self-seeking, proud, carnal spirit in them? What do their censures of others shew, but a minde to extoll themselves? Their reviling, but their disturbed passions, and impatience of gainfaying? Their affected speech, looks, carriage, but a desire to hide their falshood, and to insinuate into the affections of those unwary souls, whom they would ensnare? What do all the devices of Jesuits, Popes, and their agents tend to, but either by force or subtility to set up the monstrous power of the man of sin, and their own domineeting over mens consciences under him? What is there in their conclave but policy? In their Council of Treat but deceit? In their Iesuits and Casuists but juggling? Have not the Jansenists proved them so versatile in their determinations, as to make their resolutions such as might fit all humours? What is there but fraud in their doctrine and practice, about keeping faith with Hereticks, deposing, destroying Princes excommunicate by the Pope, equivocating answers upon oath with mental reservations? And shall we go after such Masters, and leave Christ? Remember we that one is our Master, even Christ, Mat. 23. 10. And when any shall sollicite us, either not to adhere to Christ as our teacher, be it under pretence of being Christs infallible Vicar; or not to read or hear his Gospel preached, be it under pretence of a sufficient light within them, or a new revelation; reject them. Forget not that Christ hath warned you, that if any shall say unto you, lo here is Christ or there, believe it not, Mat. 24. 23. Say as Paul, Gal. 1. 9. If any man or Angel preach any other Gospel then is taught, by Christ, let him be accursed. We will not venture our lives upon Mountebanks, and will we venture our souls upon deceivers? Shall we follow our own conceits which so often prove foolish, and neglect Christs doctrine which alwayes proves wise and safe? No, no, let us answer as Peter did for the rest of the Apostles, Lord to whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God, Ioh. 6. 68, 69. Oh that I could finde your mindes so established in the truth, so armed against all the wily methods of the Devil, so instructed in the truth, that you may not be as children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every winde of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness; whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking or seeking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ, Eph. 4. 14, 15. Alas! what can we expect, but if we follow blinde leaders (as all are that teach the things of God, otherwise then Christ and his Apostles did) we should fall with them into the ditch, into everlasting perdition? On the other side, there is so much plain and clear light in Christ his doctrine, as will guide our feet into the way of peace. Away then with all such obtruded or insinuating teachers, us endeavour to hide from us the light of Christ shining in his doctrine, recorded in Scripture. Let the word of Christ dwell richly in us in all wisdome, Col. 3. 16. Let's say as that blessed Martyr did, None but Christ, none but Christ: That Christ which preached, died at Hierusalem, that word of his which is written in my Bible, shall be my light, to the testimony of Iesus, to his everlasting Gospel I stick; if men speak not according to it, it is because there is no light in them, Isaiah 8. 20.
To this end it will concern you to take with you, and observe these Directions. 1. To take heed of false lights, under what disguise soever they come. The Lord Christ foretold his Disciples, Mat. 24. 24. That there should arise false Christs, and false Prophets, and should shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that (if it were possible) they should deceive the very elect; concerning whom he saith, Vers. 23. If any man shall say unto you, Lo here is Christ or there, believe it not. Of these he had forewarned Christians, Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false Prophets, which come to you in sheepes cloathing, but inwardly they are ravening Wolves. Paul had foretold, Act. 20. 29, 30. that after his departing, grievous Wolves should enter in among them, not sparing the flock; and that of the Ephesian Christians, themselves should men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away Disciples after them; and thereupon warns the Ephesian Elders to take heed to themselves and to the flock, over which the holy Ghost had made them overseers, Vers. 28. Paul tels the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 11. 13, 14. of false Apostles, deceitfull workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ; and no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light. And of such he admonisheth the Romans, I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them; for they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple, Rom. 16. 17, 18. Peter also tells, 2 Pet. 2. 1. that there were false Prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among Christians, who privily should bring in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. 1 Ioh. 2. 18. And as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now there are many Antichrists. 1 Ioh. 4. 1. Beloved believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits, whether they are of God, because many false Prophets are gone out into the world. All which passages do demonstrate the great danger of Christians being beguiled by deceivers, who are cunning in transforming themselves, as their master Satan doth, into Angels of light, that they may seem Ministers of righteousness. Wherefore it concerns all such as regard the safety of their souls, not to be facile in entertaining such as pretend to hold forth light, but to examine what they suggest, and to try afore they trust. To which end it will be needfull,
1. That we be of discerning Spirits, to know the disposition of persons that pretend light; whether they be proud, arrogant, self-seeking, vain-glorious, covetous, more vehement then considerate, obsequious for advantages, but otherwise wilfull.
2. Concerning their proceedings; whether they deal with the weakest, afore they argue with the ablest; whether they affect more shew of holiness, then proof of doctrine; whether they love not to conceal their opinions, till they have ensnared men, by raising a high esteem of their persons; whether they practise not to disparage others, that they may engross the esteem and affections of men; whether they be not much in talk, little in deed. These and many more enquiries may much prevent the deceits of those, that with feigned words make merchandize of weak souls. But
3. The chief way is to try what they obtrude upon us by the Scripture. Such Owles will not endure this light; but as Tertullian terms them, they are Lucifuga Scripturarum, they fly the light of the Scripture, and endeavour to make odious the teachers of it. If they cannot prevail to keep it from men in a strange language, they will corrupt it with false glosses; if they cannot suppress Preachers, they will render them suspected or infamous; if they cannot shut out the light of Scripture and Preaching, they will set something else in competition with it, as the Authority of the Church, a Council, Pope, tradition, light within each, or some other thing, to hide the light from shining forth. Therefore it chiefly concerns men in these times, wherein men are exceeding busie to pervert, and thereby to darken the truth, to be very diligent and circumspect in examining by the Scripture what they hear; their doctrine is the fruit by which false Prophets are to be known, Mat. 7. 15, 16. If they speak not according to the Scripture, it is because there is no light in them, Is. 8. 20.
4. Use should be made of the Ministers appointed to teach us by him, who ascended up on high, and gave gifts to men, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, and edifying of the body of Christ, that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every winde of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things unto him, who is the head even Christ, Eph. 4. 11, 12, 14, 15. Certainly nothing more prevents the practices of deceivers, then learning from a solid Ministry, and associating with sober and stable Christians.
2. To move us to make use of Christ as the true light, it is necessary that we should become sensible of our own darkness. If ye were blinde saith Christ, Joh. 9. 41. ye should have no sin, but now ye say we see, therefore your sin remaineth. Because thou faist I am rich and encreased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and blinde, and naked, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou maist be rich, and white raiment, that thou maist be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou maist see, Rev. 3. 17, 18. They that apprehend a light within them without Christ, are incurably blind; such fond imaginations lock men fast up under invincible ignorance. As he said, that to be incredulous is the sinews of wisdome; so may I say, that to be jealous of our own darkness, is the readiest way to drive us to Christ the true light. Experience will tell us, that they who talk as if they knew as much as Preachers can tell them, are found when tried, the most ignorant sots; and those who are so well conceited of their own strength and wisdome, as to count the counsel and warning of others unnecessary, bidding them not care for them, are soon caught by cunning deceivers. To become a wise improver of Christs light, it is of great moment to discern our own blindeness; and then a Christian learns most, when he findes his own ignorance. Such sense of our own emptiness, begets an appetite to wholesome doctrine; when such as conceive themselves full, have no stomack to the most precious truths of Iesus Christ, but are filled with windy vanities.
3. It concerns those to Whom the light of Christ is held forth not to shut their eyes against it when held before them. For this saith our Lord, Joh. 3. 19, 20. is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather then light, because their deeds were evill. For every one that doth evill hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. And indeed it is the signe of a man that is filthy and resolved to be filthy, of a man incurable and marked to destruction, who shuns that light which should direct him to discerne his errour and to learn his way. Nor can there be a greater indignity to Christ then when he is come into the world to be one light to have our minds possessed with a resolution not to receive it.
4. If the light shine into thy soul from Christ, so as that any convictions or discoveries of truth from Christ get into thee, take heed that thou hold it not in unrighteousness nor seek to quench it. The wrath of God, saith the Apostle Rom. 1. 18. is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men that hold the truth in unrighteousness. Where lust imprisons light: Where corrupt affections put out the Lamp of truth there is no entrance of the light of Christ into that soul.
5. The light must be believed, as our Lord Christ saith, John 12. 36. While we have light we are to believe in the light, that we may be children of light. Believing the words of Christ is indeed the reception of Christ as our light. When we entertain the Gospell of Christ, we do behold with open face as through a glass the glory of the Lord, and are transformed into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3. 18. The more steddily we eye Christ the more assimilated we shall be to him. His Doctrine will fashion our minds, his example will direct our practise, so as that in a good sense we shall be christed with Christ, he will be in us and we in him, one with us and we with him, not we live, but Christ live in us. Faith is the Loadstone of the soul which drawes the soul to Christ, and makes a man to be as he was in this world crucified, risen, ascending up with him, dead to the world, living unto God.
6. There must be a love of the light, Its the greatest sign of a man willfully evill when he hates the light, and its a good sign of a man truly good, when he can delight in that light which discovers his own evils. Christ hath therefore determined this to be the great condemnation, that men love darkness rather then light: for thats the sign they side with the Prince of darkness, and that men that do the truth come to the light, that their deeds may be manifest that they are wrought in God, John 3. 19, 20, 21. The more light is rejected the more purely voluntary any sin is, when men are willingly ignorant they are incurably evill; But the more love and delight there is in the light of truth the more freely it is chosen, and more fully imbraced. Light is a most delightfull quality, unless it be to illaffected eyes, and so is truth to all but such as are of vitiated spirits: the more Heavenly the light is, the more pure, and so the truth of Christ the Lord from Heaven is the clearest truth and most amiable. Moses gave a Law, but in shadowes; Christ the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared God, and his will without obseurity: He was full of grace and truth, then which nothing is more lovely, and therefore the more the averseness is from the Gospel of Christ the more estrangedness there is from the life of God, and the more the light of Christ is entertained, the more of the love of God dwels in that person.
7. That a man have light from Christ it is needfull he should awake out of sleep, Eph. 5. 14. A careless soul thats heedless of what truth is held forth, that snorts securely, and dreams sweetly of peace when there is no peace is no more capable of benefit by the light of Christ, then a man thats of a drousie sleepy head, that folds his hands, and mindes nothing but his bed and pillow. Of using bodily light, not only sore eyes, but also drousie heads are offended with light. Watching is necessary to the use of Christian light, which being neglected, the Prince of darkness easily bindes the hands and shaves the hair as Dalilah did Sampsons, which makes his strength depart from him. To keep our soules safe it is needfull we keep our eyes waking, and to pray with the Psalmist, Lighten mine eyes that I sleep not the sleep of death, Ps. 13. 3.
8. To this must be joyned standing up from the dead, Eph. 5. 14. Graves and Vaults for dead bodies are not fit receptacles of light: To be among men who have no spirituall life in their soules, to be associated with meer carnall worldlings, voluptuous Epicures, proud selfish men is as inconsistent with the injoyment of the light of Christ, as for a seeing man to lye among the dead, which are cut off from Gods hand. A child of light will have little but darkness from such unholy soules as are full of darkness, yea doubtless such company will by their own reasonings, and Satans sophistry blow out the light of Christ that it shine not where they are. Hence it is that among such persons all discoveries of sin or duty, Gods counsell or Covenant, Christ and his Church, Heaven and Hell are tedious: No talk, or action among such is more acceptable then that which proceeds from an earthly spirit. Scripture truth, holy Sermons, spirituall experiences are unsuitable to that mirth they delight in, those contents that please them, those ends they aim at. Whence it is that they put out that light, which crosseth their designes, and wish that neither God did see them, nor Christ judg them, nor Preachers teach them, nor any Saint converse with them. Doubtless then a soul that affects these cannot long endure such quench-coales, nor joyn with such extinguishers, but as he is made a child of light so chooseth to be with them in whom is light.
9. It will concerne those who own Christ as their light to judg themselves and their wayes by his light. It is the great benefit of light that it doth not make manifest, Eph. 5. 13. And thus by the light of Christ the evill of our wayes is reproved, the wayes of God approved: we know the righteousness of God, and our unrighteousness. Now this is no small benefit to have light to discerne our own errors, which without light from Christ we should never have unstood. It is our advantage that God covers our sins, and we discover them. He that is ignorant of them cannot correct them: but walks on in them without shame or sorrow, as a man that walks in the night neither sees how foul his cloathes are, nor knowes how to make them clean. Hence it comes to pass that for want of light the carriage of most is so unhandsome and unlike the Gospell that they not only shame themselves, but also cause others to stumble. A wise Christian therefore will be often judging himself by the light of law discovering his transgressions, and the light of the Gospel shewing his estate in Christ.
10. It will be needfull not only to use the light of Christ to judg our selves by, but also to order our actions by. I am the light of the world saith Christ, John 8. 12. be that followeth me shall not walk in darkness. There cannot be unsafe walking by Christs light: there is no danger when Christ our light goes before. Walk in the light saith Christ while ye have the light lest darkness come upon you, John 12. 35. How many millions are there of soules perplexed and tortured all their life with feares and doubts for want of walking by the light of Christ in Scripture, and chosing rather to walk by a light and sparkes of their own kindling, which in the end either goes quite out or burnes so dimme as to leave them in darkness of spirit and horrour of conscience. And no marvell sith it is Gods just judgment, that such as neglect the light Preached should follow the mares of humane reason, the examples, customes, dictates of men, and in conclusion lye down in sorrow, Isai. 50. 11. such foolish fires will lead to nothing but bogs and praecipices: But Christ the true light when his Gospell is followed guides the feet of men into the way of peace, Luke 1. 79. Oh that then all that talke of the light within them would follow the light about them, even the light of Christs Gospel and example, whereby the greatest security is obtained and the surest advancement with God, sith he that followes Christ his light shall be where he is. Then would men walk honestly or decently in good fashion, not in banquetings and drunkennesses, not in chamberings and wantonnesses, not in strife and envying, if they would put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and not make provision of the flesh unto lusts, Rom. 13. 13, 14.
11. The light of Christ is to be used as our weapons or tooles to defend our selves or to work with. The night is over, the day hath approached: let us therefore put off the workes of darkness, and put on the armour of light, Rom. 13. 12. The truth is, light is the chiefest instrument for safety and work. If a man be without light he can neither defend himself nor offend an enemy. If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him, saith christ John 11. 9, 10. I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work, John 9. 4. As the bodily light is given us by God to fight and work, so spirituall light is given us by Christ to fight the good fight of Christ, and to do the workes of God. He then that would make use of Christs light must be armed with his Doctrine, that he may be able to repel Satans fiery darts, and expel him as Christ did by the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God, Eph. 6. 17. And he that would improve the light must be doing that business which the word of Christ directs him to, and to that end it must dwell richly in him in all wisedome, Col. 3. 16. Their own light in men makes them rather wranglers with others sometimes the best (as is seen in Quakers) then contenders against their own lusts, and moves them to disturb others in their work, and to be busie bishops in anothers diocese, rather then to lookinto their own charge: but the light of Christ directs us to steddy to be quiet and do our own business, 1 Thess. 4. 11.
12. And Lastly, Make use of the light of Christ for thy comfort and rejoycing. The light of the eyes rejoyceth the heart, Prov. 15. 30. Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is to behold the Sun, Eecl. 11. 7. But the light of Christ his Gospel doth far more rejoyce the heart, and is much more delightfull to the soul then bodily light can be to the eyes. It is it which removes doubts, griefs, fears, despair in life and at death. Oh how sweetly might men live, how comfortably might they dye, if they did make use of it? Light within you whatever Quakers tell you will leave you in perplexity, when you shall have most need of comfort. But if you believe in the light of Christ as it is held out to you in the Gospel you shall see the light of life. Be perswaded to disclaime the pretended new light within you as your sufficient guide to God, and choose the light of Christ from Heaven in his Gospel to walk by, and it will guide and comfort you surely and sweetly to eternal life.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Tombes, True Old Light Exalted Above Pretended New Light (1660)