Christ All and in All, Sermon 11

Christ All and in All · Sermon 11

JOHN 8. 12.

I am the light of the world.XII. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth. Lon. May 30. 1652.

IN the former Chapter we read of the cruel ſeverity of the chief Prieſts and Phariſees againſt V. 32our Saviour. He had by the excellency of his preaching gained much upon the affections of the people that reſorted to heare him; very many beleeved on him, ſaith the Text, and ſaid, When Chriſt cometh, V. 31will he do more miracles then theſe which this man hath done? The chiefe Prieſts and Phariſees hearing that ſuch things were murmured among the people, preſently ſend away Officers to apprehend his perſon, and bring him V. 32before the Councel. The Officers inſtead of bringing Chriſts perſon, were ſo taken with his preaching, that they returne with a full teſtimony both of his Perſon and Doctrine. Never V. 46man ſpake like this man. Whereupon the Phariſees are ſo enraged, that they preſently denounce Execrations upon all that adhere to him. Nicodemus who was one of the Councel ſtands up; and by a political Argument V. 49ſtaves them off from any further proceedings p. 226againſt Chriſt, till they had heard him ſpeak. He doth not directly defend either the perſon or Doctrine of Chriſt, but …y a prudent and ſober Argument, labours that all further diſpute about him might be laid aſide, till according to the Law of God, they had heard him, and received full proof of his actions. This doth incenſe their envious hearts not onelyonly againſt Nicodemus, but even againſt his Countrey alſo. And thereupon V 52.by the wonderful power of God, the Aſſembly is broken up, not without ſome tumultuous confuſion. And every man went to his V. 53own houſe. Our Saviour that night departs from Jeruſalem, and lodgeth in the Mount of Olives, Chap. 8. 1.a place not farre from Jeruſalem, whither he was wont oft to re…ort. He would not lodge in ſo bloody and ingrateful a City, nor did he ever lodge in Jeruſalem again (as Chemnitius obſerves) till the night before his Paſſion. The inhabitants of Jeruſalem, for fear of their Governours▪ durſt not receive him into their houſes, and Chriſt knowing their malice, would not truſt himſelf amongſt them; and therefore departs to the Mount of Olives, partly to refreſh his body with neceſſary reſt, and partly that he might have more liberty for meditation and prayer. The next day our Saviour comes early in the morning to the Temple, and there ſits down, as his manner was, to teach the people. V. 2Though they ſought to take away his life, yet he ſtill endeavoured to ſave their ſouls, and therefore comes early to teach in the Temple. The Scribes and Phariſees underſtanding that he was teaching in the Temple, thinking to finde an occaſi…n V. 3. 4.againſt him, brought to him a …oman taken in the Act of adultery, and deſire to know his judgement in the caſe, … the Law of Moſes, ſhe … or no. Our Saviour knowing … declines to be a Judge in the caſe▪ …e came not into the world to be a political Judge, and therefore will not determine either one way or other. But though he will not be a Judge▪ yet V. 6, 7will he be a ſpiritual Phyſician, and therefore that he may convince them of their hypocriſie ſpeakes thus. He that is without ſinne among you, V. 7let him caſt the firſt ſtone at her. Theſe words ſo work upon their conſciences, that they depart one by one as men ſelf-condemned▪ and leave Jeſus alone, and the woman ſtanding in V. 9the midſt. Our Saviour after he had given ſome ſpiritual counſel to the woman, diſmiſſeth her, and returnes to preach againe to the people, V. 10, 11from which work he had been hindred too long by this impertinent act of the envious Scribes and Phariſees. The firſt Doctrine he delivers to them is contained in the Text, I am the light of the world. Here are two words to be explained a little, Light, World.

Light. This word is taken in Scripture two wayes.

1. Properly.

2. Metaphorically, or improperly.

Firſt, Properly. For that noble quality which enlightens the world, called the light of this world, John 11. 9. Lux eſt claritas & ſplendor in corpore luminoſo, vel extr… … corpore luminoſo exiens, quae & lumen dicitur. This natural …ight was the firſt perfect viſible creature that God made. It was the firſt dayes work, Gen. 1. 3.

Secondly; Improperly, or metaphorically. And p. 228ſo its put for ſeveral things, as they carry ſome reſemblance to light, viz.

1. The word of God, Pſal. 119. 105. 2 Pet. 1. 19.

2. For the Miniſters of God. Mat 5. 14.

3. For regenerate men, Eph. 5. 8.

4. For the ſtate of converſion, Act. 26. 18.

5. For proſperity and comfort, Eſth. 8. 16. Pſal. 97. 11.

6. For deliverance from trouble, Eſay 9. 2.

7. For all outward good, Job 30. 26.

8. For the glory of heaven, Col. 1. 12.

9. For knowledge, Dan. 5. 11. Eſay 60. 3.

10. For Gods ſpecial favour, Pſal. 4. 6.

11. For poſterity, Prov. 20. 20. 1 Kings 11. 36.

12. For God himſelf, 1 Job. 1. 5.

13. For Chriſt; ſo 'tis uſed in the Text.

In what reſpects we ſhall afterwards ſee.

The World. The Greek word is foreign, M…ndus; from that real and orderly digeſtion, and compoſition of things that are in the world. God hath made all things in number, weight, and meaſure. The world is an orderly beautiful piece. It's uſed here (ſome think) to take away the difference between Jewes and Gentiles. Others think it's taken for the world of the Elect: But I rather think in this place, it's taken for all ſorts of men to whom this light is offered. This benefit, ſaith Calvin, is not offered to one, or a few, but to all the world: though few receive it, yet the tender of it is made to all, according to that of our Saviour, Mark 16. 15.

The words are a Propoſition; In …

1. The Subject. Jeſus Chriſt.

2. The Predicate. The light of the world.

3. The Copulate, joyning theſe together, foreign, All put together make this Obſervation.

Doct. That Jeſus Chriſt is the ſpiritual light of the world. Jeſus Chriſt in three reſpects is the natural light of the world as he is God.

1. He created the light. The firſt light that ever ſhined in the world was his creature. The Sunne, Moon and Starres, which are the veſſels of natural light, are the works of his hands. He as well as the Father is that Jehovah, who at firſt ſaid, Let there be light, and there was light, Gen. 1. 3. For all things were made by him, and without him was not made any thing that was made, John 1. 3. All the luminaries of heaven, which carry the light of nature abroad, are his creatures.

2. He preſerves the light. The ſinne of mankinde would extinguiſh thoſe veſſels of light▪ thoſe lamps of the world, did not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt by his Divine power and Providence keep them burning. When the Sunne is ſet, and darkneſſe ſpread upon the world, it would never riſe again if Chriſt did not give it a Command.

3. He it is that created the eye of man, and endued it with power to ſet the light. It is he that (as God) formed the eye of man, and gave it power to behold the light of the Sunne. It is he alſo that by his providence opens the eye, when it is by ſleep ſhut up in darkneſſe. p. 230Theſe windows of the body would be pitched up for ever, if Chriſt did not open them morning by morning. Davids prayer, Pſal. 13. 3. muſt be our daily prayer, Lighten mine eyes, lest I ſleep the ſleep of death. In all theſe reſpects, Chriſt according as he is God, is the natural light of the world. And as Mediator he is the ſpiritual light of the world. He was ſo when he was on earth and that both by his Doctrine, and by his example. And he is ſtill the ſpiritual light of men. The Scripture doth often affirme this of Chriſt. See a few places, John 1. 9. that was (ſpeaking of Chriſt) the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, John 12. 35, 36, 46. What can be more expreſſe? The Prophets who Prophecyed of him, ſpake of him as a light, Eſay 42. 6. I give thee for a Covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. And Eſay▪ 49. 6. I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayeſt be my ſalvation to the end of the earth. He is therefore compared to the day-ſtar, Luke 1. 78. To the Sunne, Mal. 4. 2. As all natural light is collected into the veſſel of the Sunne, and by it diſpenſed to the world, ſo all ſpiritual light is gathered together, and placed in Chriſt the Sunne of righteouſneſſe, and by him communicated unto all thoſe whom God hath given him.

In the opening of this Doctrine, I ſhall handle three things.

1. Wherein the proportion between Chriſt and light ſtands.

2. How Chriſt doth diſpenſe the light which is in him.

p. 2313. How Chriſt is differenced from all, … ther lights.

Firſt, the reſemblance between Chriſt and light ſtands in ſeven things.

1. Light hath a manifeſtative quality. It doth diſcover and cauſe to appear things that do in darkneſs lie unſeen. Darkneſs is a thick veile and ſhadow under which things and perſons are concealed, but light removes that ſhadow, and ſhews both it ſelf and every other thing in its own nature. When you would ſee what a thing is, if you do not know it, you bring it forth to the light, and then it appears. Whatſoever doth make manifeſt, the ſame is light, Eph. 5. 13. Jeſus Chriſt in this reſpect is well compared to light. He diſcovers and makes manifeſt to men that which they never ſaw before. How many rare myſteries hath Chriſt diſcovered to the ſonnes of men? When he came into the world, he revealed thoſe ſecrets that before were either not known, or not ſo fully known. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of this, Eph. 3. 2. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9. When Chriſt comes to a ſoul, what diſcoveries doth he make there?

(1) That ſin which lay hid for many years is now manifeſt; that pride, that unbelief, that covetouſneſſe which was not diſcovered before, is now made manifeſt. The very ſecrets of the heart are made known when this light begin; to ſhine, 1 Corinth. 14. 25. The ſoule wonders, that ſo much wickedneſſe ſhould be ſo long undiſcerned.

(2) That ſhining beauty which is in grace, which was not before diſcerned, is now made manifeſt. He ſees godlineſſe to be another p. 232kinde of thing then he ever apprehended it to be. He ſees a lovelineſſe in every duty of Gods worſhip, a lovelineſſe in every act of holineſſe which he could have not believed, ſo that he is able to ſay with the blinde man reſtored by Chriſt; This I know, that whereas I was blinde, now I ſee. Chriſt hath the diſcovering quality of light.

2. Light hath a Directive vertue. It guids men in their way. The Traveller by the benefit of the light, ſees what path to keep which way to turne to his intended journey. Our Saviour mentions this effect of light, John 11. 9, 10. Now Chriſt is fitly called a light in this regard. He it is that doth direct the ſonnes of men in the way to life. And therefore he is called, not onelyonly the light by which we ſee, but the guide that leads us, Luke 1. 79. Yea, he is called not onelyonly the light and the guide, but the way in which we walk, John 14. 6. Jeſus Chriſt is ſent by his Father from heaven, to direct his Elect to heaven. He is the great Pilot of his Church, that doth ſteer it through the tempeſtuous ſeas of this world to the Haven of glory.

3. Light hath a Penetrating vertue. Light is of all creatures that are material, the moſt immaterial; it is of ſo ſubtile a nature, that it conveys it ſelfe into the leaſt creviſe. You can hardly make any fence ſo cloſe, as wholly to keep out the light. Jeſus Chriſt hath a penetrating and ſearching power. No heart ſo cloſe, but his eye is in it; no conſcience ſo dark, but he ſees to the bottome of it. See what the Apoſtle ſaith of him, Heb. 4. 13. All things are naked and open to his eyes, and every creature is manifeſt in his ſight.

p. 2334. Light hath a chearing and …. The light contributes much …, and growth, and life of … creatures. Light and motion are the c…me of that heat which the heavenly bodies ſend down upon the earth. Light is that inſtrument whereby all the influences of heaven are communicated and diſpenſed to the world. The motions of nature are both quickned and comforted by the light, and by it all the births of nature are cheared and comforted. Jeſus Chriſt, hath a chearing, comforting and quickning vertue. 'Tis by influences from Chriſt ſpiritual life and comfort are obtained and preſerved. The Prophet ſpeaks of this vertue of Chriſt, under this very Metaphor of light, Mal. 4. 2. All that ſpiritual livelineſſe, and briskneſſe that beleevers have at any time in their hearts, is from the beaming wings of Chriſt the Sonne of righteouſneſſe. He is a heart-chearing, a heart-warming, a heart-quickening Saviour.

5. Light hath a Purifying vertue. Fogs and Miſts that are gathered in darkneſſe, are diſperſed and ſcattered when the light comes. When a candle is lighted and ſet up in a room, if there be any damps, they gather about it. Light is the fining pot of Nature. The world would be an unwholſom Peſt-houſe if it had not light. Jeſus Chriſt hath a purifying and cleanſing vertue. By vertue from him it is, that thoſe naſty filthineſſes of ſinne which are in the ſoul, are purged away, Heb. 8. 14. All the Levitical, Ceremonial purifications uſed in the Law, were types of him. The Prophet compares him to a refiner, and purifier of ſilver, Mal. 3. 3. By his p. 234blood he purifies the ſoul from the guilt of ſin. By his grace he cleanſeth the ſoul from the filth of ſinne. The Prophet compares him to a fountaine ſet open for purification, Ezek. 13. 1. All that ever were, all that ever ſhall be cleanſed from the filthineſſe of ſin, are cleanſed by Jeſus Chriſt.

6. Light is of an undefilable nature. Though it paſſe through ſinks, and the moſt polluted places, yet it contracts no defilement. It cleanſeth all things, but is defiled by nothing. It is a quality ſo ſpiritual, that nothing can faſten upon it to pollute it. Jeſus Chriſt is fitly reſembled to light in this reſpect. He is not capable of any defilement. He aſſumed ſinful nature without the leaſt ſinne. He had the likeneſſe of ſinful fleſh, Rom 8. 3. but not the leaſt ſinne in his fleſh. In the dayes of his fleſh he did as a ſpiritual Phyſician, repaire to all ſorts of ſinners, but he carried away from them no pollution at all. He converſed with Mary Magdalen, with Zacheus the Publican, and other Publicans and ſinners without the leaſt taint of corruption. He was born, he lived and died in a corrupt generation, in a very Peſt-houſe of ſinne, without the leaſt tincture of ſinne. He lived and died holy, harmleſſe, undefiled, and ſeparated from ſinners, as the Apoſtle ſaith, Heb. 7. 26.

7. The nature of the light is hard to be known. The Philoſophers are much troubled about the defining and deſcribing of it. 'Tis not a ſubſtantial forme, becauſe it is perceived by the ſight, which no ſubſtantial forme is. 'Tis not a body, becauſe then when the light paſſeth through a perſpicuous body, two bodies would p. 235be in one place, which is againſt … and reaſon. Nor is it an … from a luminous body, for then the Sonne by his continual ſhining would be deprived of …ig…t; but it is an accidental forme, or a patib…e quality, and ſo very hard to be deſcribed. The Scripture ſpeaks of the difficulty of ſearching out the nature of the light perfectly by any mortal man, Job 38. 19, 20, 21, 24. OnelyOnly he who is the Father of lights doth perfectly underſtand it. Jeſus Chriſt is not perfectly to be underſtood by any living man. Who can declare his generation, as he is the Sonne of God? Eſay 53. 8. Who can declare his conception exactly, as he is the Sonne of man? the Holy Ghoſt hath overſhadowed it, Luke 1. 35. He that created the fleſh of Chriſt, is onelyonly able perfectly to underſtand the manner of it. Who is able to declare the myſtery of the hypoſtatical union of the two natures in one perſon exactly? We beleeve theſe things, comprehend them perfectly we are not able. His Name is wonderful, Eſay 9. 6. there are ſuch wonderful myſteries in the nature of this light, as no man, no creature can fully and perfectly comprehend.

Secondly, Chriſt diſpenſes this light theſe two wayes.

1. By the preaching of his Goſpel in the publick Miniſtery thereof. The Miniſters are called Stars; and the Miniſtery or preaching of the Goſpel, is that Orb in which this light ſhines, and by which it is communicated and diſpenſed to the world. We preach Christ crucified, 1 Cor. 1. 23. Where the Goſpel hath never been preached, this light hath never yet ſhined. This is the chariot in which this glorious light is carried p. 236about ordinarily in the world, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4, 5, 6.

2. By the vertuous efficacy of his Spirit in the Ministery. The moſt powerful preaching of Chriſt that can be, will be to no purpoſe without theſe inward workings of the Spirit. By the Spirit of Chriſt three things are done.

(1) The blindneſſe of the minde is removed. The holy Ghoſt cauſes the skales to fall off the eyes.

(2) A viſive faculty is beſtowed. This is that which the Apoſtle calls the enlightening of the eyes of the underſtanding, Epheſ. 1. 18.

(3) Power is given actually to cloſe with the light. The ſoule is enabled to follow the light, or to walk in the light as our Saviours phraſe is, John 12. 35. So that by theſe two meanes this light is communicated. By the preaching of the Goſpel, the object is made preſent; and by the Spirit of Chriſt the object is made viſible, the faculty of ſight is beſtowed, and a power of following the light is created.

Thirdly, Chriſt is differenced from all other lights, viz. Prophets, Apoſtles who are called lights, Mat. 5. 14. He is differenced from all them five ways.

1. They are lights onelyonly Miniſterially. They are lights onelyonly as they do by their office hold out this light. They are lights, as the candleſtick may be called a light, becauſe it carries the candle where the light is. But Chriſt is a light of and in himſelfe; He is a light, not Miniſterially, but Originally. The fountaine of light.

2. They are ſmall lights. Chriſt i… … light. They were but like little …thing …, Chriſt is as a great Torch which teacheth from heaven to earth. They are light as the Stars are light, a little glimmering, borrowed light. Chriſt is light as the Sunne, and therefore he is called, The Sonne of righteouſneſſe, Mal. 4. 2. All the Prophets and Apoſtles were but Scintillulae lucis, little ſparks of light, meer glowworms, but Jeſus Chriſt is an immenſe incomprehenſible light, Eſay 9. 2.

3. They are lights that have ſome darkneſſe in them. The cleareſt and brighteſt of the Prophets and Apoſtles were not without ſome darkneſſe and obſcurity. But Jeſus Chriſt is light, and in him there is no darkneſſe at all. Chriſt is a light that hath no ſnuff in him. He ever burns and ſhines brightly.

4. They were lights that could not give ſight. They were not able to make men either ſee their light, or follow their light. They could not give eyes to the blinde; but Jeſus Chriſt is ſuch a light as can give ſight. He can open the blinde eyes. He can over-power the ſoul to follow the light.

5. They were ſetting lights. They when they had runne their courſe left ſhining, they were waſting, decaying lights. John Baptiſt was a burning and ſhining light, but now he is neither, as to this world, onelyonly his example and Doctrine ſhines ſtill in the Scripture. But Jeſus Chriſt is an everlaſting light. He hath been ſhining ever ſince that promiſe made to Adam, Gen. 3. 15. and he ſhall be a light for ever and ever. He is the light of grace here, and he ſhall be the light of glory in heaven.

p. 238The Uſes are, Information. Exhortation. Conſolation.

1. Information. In foure particulars.

Firſt, Behold the neceſſity of Chriſt. He is as neceſſary for the ſoul, as light is for the body. Light is a very needful and pleaſant thing. Jeſus Chriſt is as neceſſary as he is pleaſant.

Secondly, The miſerable condition of ſuch as want an intereſt in Chriſt. Whether they be Nations or Perſons, their condition is marvellous ſad. They are indeed in a ſtate of darkneſſe. The Scripture affirmes all to be in darkneſſe that are without Chriſt, Eph. 5. 8. Ye were ſometimes darkneſſe, &c. Luke 1. 79. Eſay 9. 2. The people that ſate in darkneſſe have ſeen a great light. Where this day-ſtar did never yet ſhine, 'tis yet mid-night with that ſoul. A dark condition is a very miſerable condition. The miſery of it will appear in three particulars.

(1) A dark condition is a condition of feare. Thoſe that can be bold in the light, are uſually ſurprized with feares in darkneſſe. A black day is a terrible day, Job 3. 5. Let the blackneſs of the day terrifie it. Thoſe that are without Jeſus Chriſt are ſubject to many terrours and fears, which the children of light are delivered from. The Scripture makes mention of horrible dread which the wicked are expoſed unto. The name of Paſhur may be given to every one that is without Chriſt, Magor Miſſabib, Jer. 20. 3. becauſe they are liable to ſuch ſhaking p. 239pannick feares, Prov. 28. 1. The …cked … when no man purſueth them. God threatens fears to the wicked as their portion, Lev. 26. 3…. I will ſend a faintneſſe in their hearts, the ſound of a ſhaken leaf ſhall chaſe them. Wicked men are ſometimes without actual ſhakings, they have ſome kinde of Joy, Peace and Security. But

[1] They are alwayes liable to feares. They are under guilt, which lays the foundation of fear.

[2] Their peace, when it ſeems to be moſt ſtrong and ſettled, is preſently upon the leaſt ſpark of Gods anger thrown into their conſciences, turned into terror. We have an inſtance of it in Belſhazzar, Dan. 5. 5, 6. The leaſt manifeſtation of Gods anger daſhes all their joy, and creates great trembling in their ſpirits. The Prophet ſets out this terrour by an excellent Metaphor, Eſay 5…. 20. The ſea is ſometimes ſo calme and ſmooth, that you may caſt a dye upon the face of it, but one quarter of an houres tempeſt puts it into a dreadful combuſtion.

(2) A dark condition is a miſguiding condition. 'Tis full of wandrings. When men want the light of this world, how do they miſlead others? how eaſily are they miſlead by others? He that walketh in darkneſſe (ſaith our Saviour) knoweth not whither he goeth, John 12. 35. Thoſe that are without Jeſus Chriſt, are in a ſpirituall maze or labyrinth. They miſlead all that follow them, they are miſlead by every blinde guide that goes before them. Men that are without Chriſt are great wanderers. You may eaſily carry them into the moſt dangerous p. 240wayes. This is the true reaſon of all thoſe ſad …and…ings, and deviations of men from the truth of God, and from the old wayes of holineſſe which are at this very day. Though they pretend not onelyonly light, but a greater meaſure of light then others have attained unto; yet the truth is, they want this true light, this coeleſtial light, and therefore are carried away after the ſhining of every ignis fatuus, that Satan caſts in their way. They wander from verity to falſhood, from a ſeeming ſtrictneſſe to prophaneneſſe, from one corrupt principle to another, till they turn meere Skepticks, meere Atheiſts, without all Religion. The Apoſtle calls them, foreign, Jude 13. to whom, if they returne not from their wandrings, is reſerved the blackneſſe of darkneſſe for ever.

(3) A dark condition is a condition unfit for action. We call darkneſſe blinde mans holy-day, becauſe in darkneſſe a ſeeing man can work no more then a blinde man. When that fearful darkneſſe was over the land of Egypt, they did not ſtir from their ſeats for three dayes together, Exod. 10. 23. Man goeth forth to his work and labour until the evening, Pſal. 104. 23. When the black ſhadow of the night hath drawn the curtaine of nature over the world, then are inſtruments of working laid aſide. Thoſe that are without Jeſus Chriſt are unfit for any ſpiritual work. They can neither pray, nor repent, nor beleeve, &c. Whatever work of this nature they take in hand, they ſpoile it utterly. They mar all the work of God for want of light, John 15. 5. The Apoſtle tells us that the natural man doth not underſtand the things of the Spirit, neither can he know them, becauſe they are ſpiritually diſcerned, … to poliſh… a jewel a… …, as man that i… … is able handſomly to perfect any … This is the ſecond inference, the miſery of men without Chriſt.

(3) The excellency of Jeſus Chriſt. Light is a very excellent and glorious creature. Truly light is pleaſant, ſaith Solomon, and a joyful thing it is for the eyes to ſee the Sun, Eccl. 11. 7. Jeſus Chriſt is an excellent and precious perſon. He is very pleaſant and deſirable to thoſe that have eyes to behold him. He is all things ſpiritually to the ſoule which it wants, which it can deſire; bread, drink, phyſick, life, rayment, light, all in all. The Scripture ſpeaks much of his glory and brightneſſe. No creature comparable to the light for glory. God is therefore ſaid to be cloathed with light as with a garment, Pſalme 104. 2. Chriſt is unglorious to the eyes of blinde men, ſo the Prophets foretold, Eſay 53. 2, 3. But to them that have eyes to ſee him, he is a very glorious perſon. Jeſus Chriſt hath a foure-fold excellency above other lights.

Firſt, They are created lights. The Sun, Moon and Stars, the veſſels of light are but creatures, Gen. 1. You reade of the time and manner of their creation. But Chriſt is an uncreated light. The humanity indeed is a creature, but the Divinity which doth enlighten the humanity is not a creature. Athanaſius calls him light of lights, very God of very God. He is the Father of Lights in regard of his Divinitie.

Secondly; They are lights that cannot give …. Bring men that are blinde to the Sunne, let it ſhine with his greateſt ſplendor upon them, and they will not be recovered. The light of the Sun hath dazeld, and helpt to put out many ſeeing eyes, it never reſtored to ſight one blinde eye. But Jeſus Chriſt is a light that gives ſight to the blinde. He is an enlightning …ight, he doth by his ſhining upon the ſoule, create in the ſoule a faculty of ſeeing, which it never had before, 2 Cor. 4. 6. When this light ſhines in the heart, the light of the knowledge of God is created. Hence the Apoſtle calls Chriſt a light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world, Joh. 1. 9.

Thirdly, They are lights onelyonly to the body. The ſoul is not better for the light of the Sun. But Chriſt is a ſpiritual light▪ he is a light to the conſcience, to the will, to the affections, to the whole inward man.

Fourthly, They give light but in one place at once. The Sunne ſhines but in one Hemiſphaere at once. 'Tis night with us, when 'tis day▪ with our Antipodes; and when the Sunne ſhines there, it is darkneſſe with us. But now Jeſus Chriſt ſhines as a light in all places of the world, at one and the ſame time. He can caſt his beams when he pleaſeth all the world over. Chriſt ſhines in England and in America, at one and the ſame moment. And he hath told us of a time when he will give light to all the world. This is the third inference, Chriſts excellency.

(4) Behold from hence the excellency of the Goſpel. Jeſus Chriſt is the light of the world as he is held out in the Goſpel. The Goſpel is the Candleſtick in which this Candle is ſet, the Goſpel is the O… in … There is no other ſufficient and … … covery of Chriſt beſides the Goſpe….

There are three lights which God hath … ed to the Heathen.

The light of Creation, Rom. 1. 19. 20.

The light of righteouſneſſe, which the Schools call Synter…ſin.

The light of a natural conſcience, Rom. 2. 15.

Now although theſe be true lights, yet they are not ſufficient lights. They make a diſcovery of a God-head unto men; Rom. 1. 19, 20. They diſcover ſo much to men▪ as to …eave them without excuſe, Rom. 1. 20. but they cannot diſcover a Saviour to man. They cannot diſcover a Mediator, God and man in one perſon. None of the wiſe Philoſophers of the world▪ that had ſtudied the myſteries of nature, and attained to very great experience in them, were able to finde out reconciliation by Chriſt. No, no, the Goſpel is the onelyonly ordinary way of this diſcovery John 5. 39. Search the Scriptures. They are they which teſtifie of me, Rom. 1. 16. 17. I am not aſhamed of the Goſpel of Chriſt; For therein is the righteouſneſſe of God revealed from faith to faith, So 1 Cor. 1. 21. After that in the wiſdom of God, the world by wiſdome knew not God, It pleaſed God by the fooliſhneſſe of preaching to ſave them that beleeve. Now then the Goſpel being the onelyonly ſtanding-way of diſcoverning Chriſt to men, it muſt needs be a very excellent thing. Hence it is that the Goſpel is called a light as well as Chriſt, Pſal. 119. 105. Thy Word is as a lamp unto my feet, &c. And 2 Pet. 1. 18, 19▪ We have a more ſure word of prophecy, p. 244&c. Herein lies the great glory and dignity of the Goſpel, that it is the onelyonly mediate fixed Candleſtick, in and by which Jeſus Chriſt the true light is diſcovered and made known. This is the firſt Uſe.

Uſe 2. Exhortation. It commends ſour things to us.

1. Bleſſe God for this light. We have very great cauſe to bleſſe God for tho natural light, that he hath ſet up ſo glorious a Torch as the Sunne is, to give light to the inhabitants of the earth. What cauſe have we then to bleſſe God for this ſpiritual light, that this day-ſtar from on high hath viſited us? We might have wandred in darkneſſe as the Heathen do, if this light had not in the glorious Goſpel ſh… ned amongſt us. Bleſſe God every day for this light, eſpecially you that have Chriſt not only a light to you, but a light in you. You that have this Sunne riſen, and ſhining in your hearts, in and by converſion, you have cauſe to bleſſe God. Many ſhall be damned and periſh that have Chriſt as a light to them, but they ſhall eternally be ſaved that have Chriſt the true light ſhining in them. How much cauſe had the Iſraelites in Goſhen to bleſſe God, that had light in their dwellings, Exod. 10. 23. when there was thick darkneſſe in the land of Egypt? much more cauſe have you to bleſſe his great Name, that the Lord Chriſt is a burning light ſet up in your hearts, when as abundance that live under the ſame light you do, are ſtill in the darkneſſe of an unconverted eſtate? Ye were ſometimes darkneſſe, but now are p. 245ye light in the Lord, Eph. 5. 8. This … loud, cordial, laſting, everlaſting praiſes to God and Jeſus Chriſt, that this light is made a ſaving light to you, when it is a damning light occaſionally to very many.

2. When ever you ſee the light, remember Jeſus Chriſt. When you open your eyes in the morning, and behold the light of the Sunne, then thin… of Chriſt the true Sunne of righteouſneſſe. When you ſee the neceſſity of light, when you ſee the benefit of light, then think of the neceſſity and benefit which men receive by Jeſus Chriſt. He is far more uſeful then the natural light, in as much as he enlightens the ſoule. God would have us to ſpirituallize the whole Creation. There is hardly any creature which is of ſpecial and common uſe, but it doth or may ſerve as a ladder on which we may aſcend into Heaven, and be brought neerer to God: bread, water, garments, the raine, the dew, the light, and a thouſand other creatures do daily preach ſome ſpiritual Doctrine to us. It will be happy for us if we can take out ſpiritual leſſons from earthly things.

3. Improve the light. In three things.

(1.) Be not contented that Chriſt is a light to you, but labour that he may be a light within you. Get Chriſt into your hearts, into your conſciences. 'Tis damnable to live in darkneſſe, even when the light of the creatures ſhines, Rom. 1. 20. 'Tis double damnation to live in darkneſſe, where Jeſus Chriſt the true light ſhines. Ariſe, ſhine, for the light is come (ſaith the Prophet) to the Church, Eſay 60. 1. If you be p. 246not enlightned ſavingly by this light, it had been better for you, you had never heard of it, that you had never ſeen it. Better you had never ſeen this pillar of fire, then not to be ſavingly enlightned by it.

(2) Be ſure to walk in the light. This is our Saviours counſel, John 12. 35. What is it to walk in the light, but to tranſlate the light into our life! To walk as children of the light, Epheſians 5. 8. To walk in the light of Chriſts example; To walk according to the d…rection of Chriſts Doctrine. To walk regularly, evenly, inoffenſively, to have our converſation as becometh the Goſpel, Philippians 1. 27. This is the way to honour the light; this is the way to communicate the light to others. He that walks as Chriſt walked, holds out this light to the world; a holy Converſation makes a Chriſtian as a golden Cand…eſtick to hold ou… Chriſt to ſuch as do not ſee him.

(3) Acknowledge from whence all your light comes. That you have the light of knowledge, the light of ſaving grace, the l…ght of ſpiritual comfort, it is from Jeſus Chriſt. He is the fountaine of all true ſpiritual light. The light you have is a beame of this Sunne; You had never enjoyed one ſpark of it, had not Chriſt freely communicated it.

(4) Receive nothing as light, but what comes from Jeſus Chriſt. That that thwarts Jeſus Chriſt, is not light but darkneſſe. That which comes not from Chriſts Word, is not light, but darkneſſe. Men ta… of much light now adayes. They … light, darkneſſe light; Well, the … way to judge of true light, is to bring it to Chriſt; and to bring it to Chriſt, is to bring it to the Scriptures. There it is that Chriſt ſhines, there it is that truth ſhines. A written Revelation from S…ripture is more ſure then an immediate Revelation from Heaven. So the Apoſtle tells us, 2 Peter 1. 18, 19. I muſt try all Revelations by Scripture. Now the touchſtone is more ſure then that whi…h is tried by it. There are ſome things which men cry up as lights, which quench Chriſt the true light, the doctrine of the Socinians, Arminians, Papiſts, &c.

Uſe 3. Conſolation.

This may comfort the children of God in all their preſent darkneſſes. The Saints of God are in this life under many darkneſſes. They are under the darkneſſe of ſinne, not under the power of it, Coloſſians 1. 13. Yet they have ſtill ſome of this darkneſſe in them. They are under the darkneſſe of ignorance, for they know but in part. They are under the darkneſſe of outward affliction, Micah 7. 8. They are under the darkneſſe of ſpiritual diſcomfort ſometimes, Eſay 50. 10. Well, here is your comfort. Chriſt is light in all theſe reſpects. He is a full light. He is a communicative light. He is a light alwayes preſent. Go to him in all theſe caſes, depend p. 248upon him; put him in minde of this Name of his, and you ſhall finde that he will turne your darkneſſe into light. He will be a light to deliver you, to inſtruct, to comfort you, to quicken you. He hath received all the light he hath as Mediatour, that he may communicate it to you.