The Efficacy of the Fear of Hell to Restrain Men from Sin, Sermon 5
The Fifth Sermon.
Luke 4.18.
And recovery of Sight to the Blind.
IN this Clauſe mind 1. The Charecter of thoſe that he is to Preach to, viz. Thoſe that are Blind. There is 1. A Bodily Blindneſs, which ariſeth from ſeveral Cauſes, when Men are not able to diſcern Bodily Objects, either through the want of Organs, or the Indiſpoſition of them. Sometimes they cannot ſee from the want of Light, or from the Interpoſition of ſome Opake Body; But Blindneſs riſeth from ſome Default in the Body. 2. A Spiritual Blindneſs, when Men cannot ſee God, or any Spiritual Thing. Thus it is with Ungodly Men. 3. Epiſt. Joh. 11. He that doth Evil, hath not ſeen God. Rev. 3.17. Thou art Poor, and Blind, and Naked. This Blindneſs may be the greater, by reaſon of contracted evil Habits, and the Temptation of Satan. 2 Cor. 4.4. The God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them that believe not. 2. What he was to Preach, viz. Recovery of Sight. Adam had Spiritual Underſtanding, but we have loſt it, and muſt have our Sight recovered. Q. How was he to Preach the Recovery of Sight? He was not properly to offer it to them, though he offers further degrees of Sight to his People. Rev. 3.18. I Counſel thee to buy of me Gold tried in the Fire, white Raiment, and to anoint thy Eyes with Eye-ſalve, that thou mayſt ſee. Yet he muſt ſee before he can come to Chriſt. Men muſt come to Chriſt Underſtandingly. Joh. 6.45. Every one that hath heared and learned of the Father, cometh unto Chriſt. But that which he Preaches, is, That there is an Opportunity to have the Sight recovered: They were under an advantage to have their Eyes opened.
DOCTRINE. They that live under the Preaching of the Goſpel, have an opportunity to have their Eyes opened. It is one of the great Miſeries of Mankind, that they are Blind; and it is a great Priviledge to recover their Sight. There is opportunity for this, by the Preaching of the Goſpel. Thoſe that live in Heatheniſh Darkneſs, have no opportunity to have their Eyes opened. They that belong to the viſible Kingdom of Darkneſs, do alſo belong to the inviſible Kingdom of Darkneſs. But they that have the Light of the Goſpel ſhining among them, have an opportunity to have their Eyes opened. All that live under the Preaching of the Goſpel, have not the like opportunity. In Chriſt's time, they had a greater opportunity than before. The more clearly and powerfully it is taught, the greater is the opportunity: But where it is taught, there is an opportunity. People are under an Advantage to have their Eyes opened. Act. 26.18. I ſend thee to open their Eyes, to turn them from Darkneſs to Light. Col. 1.3. He hath delivered us form the power of Darkneſs.
The Demonſtration. 1. They have thoſe Truths revealed to them, that they ſhould ſee. Where the Goſpel is Preached, Spiritual Truths are brought to Light. Act. 11.14. He ſhall tell thee Words, whereby thou and all thy Houſe ſhall be ſaved. God and Chriſt, and the way of Salvation are made known by the Goſpel. 2 Tim. 1.10. He hath brought Life and Immortality by the Goſpel to Light. The Goſpel teaches thoſe Spiritual Doctrines that are neceſſary to Salvation. There is a clear Explication of the Properties of God's Nature, of the loſt Eſtate of Man, of the Work of Redemption by Chriſt; his Perſon, his Offices, his Humiliation, and his Exaltation, and of the Covenant of Grace, and the Condition of Salvation. 1. Cor. 2.10. God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. Yea, theſe Things are not barely told, but there is a great deal of Evidence and Demonſtration of them: So that hereby Men come to have a Literal Knowledge of them, even of all things that are needful to Salvation. 2 Tim. 3.15. The Holy Scriptures are able to make thee wiſe unto Salvation. Yea, Men have ſuch Conviction of them, as makes them concerned to get a ſpiritual Underſtanding of them. This is one great Help: The Object that they ſhould ſee, is fairly preſented before them in the Goſpel.
2. They have a Conviction ſet before them, that they are Blind. In the Goſpel, there is a Declaration of Man's Blindneſs. There is a Divine Teſtimony that Men are Blind. Men naturally are Ignorant of it, but God gives Witneſs to it. Eph. 4.18. Having their Underſtandings darkned, being alienated from the Life of God, through the Ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the Blindneſs of their Heart. Beſides, there they may learn how they come to be Blind, that by the fall of Adam, their whole Nature is Corrupted. Rom. 3.23. Man has Sinned, and has fallen ſhort of the Glory of God. And as the Will is depraved, ſo the Mind likewiſe. It is made Evident alſo from hence, that God has made great Proviſion that we may recover our Sight. He has made it the Office of Jeſus Chriſt, to give Light and Underſtanding to us. Iſai. 49.6. I will give thee alſo to be a Light unto the Gentiles. Joh. 9.39. For Judgment came I into the World, that they that ſee not, might ſee. He ſhews our Blindneſs by the ſorrowful Effects of it, living a Sinful and Corrupt Life. He teaches us, That they that know him, will truſt in him, love and obey him; and that they that do live otherwiſe, do not know him. He that ſaith, I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a Lyar, and the Truth is not in him. And hereby he ſhews us our Blindneſs, in revealing things that our Reaſon and Conſciences tell us muſt be ſo. And yet we cannot ſee nor believe them. There is ſuch Evidence, that we muſt ſay, it can't be otherwiſe: And yet we are not able to give Entertainment to them. We are ſilenced, yet not convinced.
3. They are directed what to do, that they may ſee. We are taught, that we muſt Pray to God to open our Eyes. A ſeeing Eye, and an hearing Ear, the Lord is the maker of them both. Men are ready to think that they ſhall get the Knowledge of God and Chriſt, by improving their Natural Reaſon, by Study and Conſideration; that they can argue themſelves into the Knowledge of Spiritual Things: But it is quite beyond them, and they muſt be brought to beg it of God. Prov. 2.3. They muſt cry for Wiſdom, and lift up their Voice for Underſtanding. The Goſpel ſhews that it is Gods Work to give Underſtanding. Eph. 1.17. That God would give you the Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of him. Again we are directed to wait upon the Preaching of the Word, To wait at the Gates of Wiſdom. Prov. 8.34. So we are taught, Rom. 10.17. Faith comes by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word of God. We are directed alſo to ſubmit to the Sovereignty of God. It is plainly told us, that God hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy. Rom. 9.15. He is not bound to any particular Perſon; he is at liberty either to leave them to Blindneſs, or to open their Eyes. They can bring God under no neceſſity to give Light to them: And accordingly it is their Duty to ſubmit to his ſovereign Pleaſure.
4. They are under an Indefinite Promiſe of having their Eyes opened. After all, this is needful, that God ſhould convince Men of the certainty of Spiritual Things; and God has made Promiſes of that. He is not under Engagement to particular Perſons, but he hath promiſed that Chriſt ſhall be a Light to the Gentiles. Iſa. 49.6. That is ſaving Light. So he has promiſed it to Miniſters, to encourage them in their Work. Math. 28.20. Teach them to obſerve all things that I have Commanded, and lo, I am with you alway to the end of the World. Joh. 16.8. The Comforter ſhall convince the World of Sin, of Righteouſneſs, and of Judgment. Act. 26.17 18. I ſend thee to open the Blind Eyes … them from Darkneſs to Light. Yea, he has promiſed this Mercy to his Church. Joh. 6.45. All thy Children ſhall be taught of the Lord. Heb. 8.10, 11. This ſhews, that he is engaged to beſtow this Mercy upon a Number, where he doth ſet up his Ordinances; and accordingly it is the manner of God, to give Spiritual Light and Underſtanding to ſome; and this ſhews, that they that live under the means of Grace, have an opportunity of recovering their Sight. They are under an hopeful Advantage to enjoy this Mercy.
1 USE. Of Reproof to thoſe that don't improve this Opportunity. It is great Folly, not to improve Opportunities. It is the Wiſdom of Men to watch for Opportunities. 1 Kin. 20.33. The Men did diligently obſerve whether any thing would come from him, and did haſtily catch it. And it is great Fooliſhneſs to neglect them. Prov. 17.16. Wherefore is there a Price in the Hand of a Fool to get Wiſdom, when he hath no Heart to it? It was Jezebel's fault that ſhe neglected it. Rev. 3.21. I gave her a ſpace to Repent, and ſhe Repented not. A Seaſon for Worldly Advantages ſhould not be loſt through Careleſſneſs and Sloth. Opportunities for Peace, and Health, and Liberty ſhould not be loſt. So Opportunities to get Spiritual Wiſdom and Underſtanding. Thoſe that don't improve them, are Adverſaries to themſelves. They don't conſult their own Good: They will bewail the loſs of them, and cry out of their Madneſs in not improving them. That will be one Aggravation of the Miſery of Men hereafter, that they had glorious Opportunities, but did not improve them. Other parts of their Puniſhment will be the greater, and the Reproaches of Conſcience will be the more.
1. They that don't cry to God to open their Eyes. Some Men for Form-ſake, put up ſuch Requeſts to God; but they don't cry Earneſtly, nor follow God with ſecret Prayer. God may ſay of ſome Men, Iſai. 43.22. Thou haſt not called upon me, O Jacob, thou haſt been weary of me, O Iſrael. And Complain of many as he doth, Iſai. 64.7. There is none that calleth upon thy Name, that ſtirreth up himſelf to take hold of thee. Theſe Perſons may thank themſelves, if they remain in Darkneſs. God may well ſay, If Light be not worth Praying for in their Eſteem, let them go without it. Theſe Men are unſenſible of their Miſery: If they were Senſible, they would cry Earneſtly to God, as he, Luk. 18.38. He cryed, ſaying, Jeſus, thou Son of David, have Mercy on me. Theſe Men have not only Blind Minds, but hard Hearts. They are under the power of a ſtupid and inſenſible Spirit. They have not only a great deal of Blindneſs, but they have contracted a great deal of Blindneſs. They want common Illumination. God gives many Bleſſings to Men without asking; but they ſhall ask for this Mercy before they do receive it. It is a Contempt upon God, and an Undervaluing of the Bleſſing, not to ask it of him. If they hold their Tongues, God will hold his Hand. Theſe Men are Blind at preſent, and that is their Miſery; and they will continue Blind, and that is a greater Miſery
2. Such as will not be convinced of their own Blindneſs. It may be, they do pray to God to open their Eyes; but they are not convinced how Blind they be. They are told, that they muſt become Fools, that they may be Wiſe, 1 Cor. 3.18. But they ſay as, Joh. 9.40. Are we Blind alſo? They are not convinced that they are totally Blind; they think they ſee ſomewhat of the Evil of Sin, and of the Faithfulneſs of God, and of the Divinity of Chriſt. They are not convinced that they cannot recover themſelves. They hope by Degrees to Work it out; and by Reading and Study to force it: But in very deed, you muſt ſee your Miſery before you find the Remedy. Men that are Blind, are uncapable of a Spiritual Conviction of it, while they do remain Blind; but they muſt have an Experimental Conviction of it. If you depend upon your own ſufficiency to get Sight, God will ſay, Let them do it if they can. His way is to convince ſuch Men of their Blindneſs before he helps them. Rev. 3.17. He ſays, Thou art Blind: And then V. 18. Encourages, that he will anoint their Eyes with Eye-Salve that they may ſee.
2 USE. See hence, that the Preaching of the Goſpel is a very great Bleſſing. Some Perſons have no great eſteem for it. It is Chargeable, and it doth diſquiet their Conſciences, and they never got any Spiritual Good by it: But indeed it is a very great Bleſſing. It is a Mercy to hear good Tidings, and the Goſpel is ſo, Rom. 10.15 How beautiful are the Feet of them that Preach the Goſpel of Peace, and bring glad Tidings of good Things! David was very Thankful for the Word of God, Pſal. 147.19, 20. He hath ſhewed his Word unto Jacob, his Statutes and his Judgments unto Iſrael. He hath not dealt ſo with any Nation, and as for his Judgments, they have not known them, Praiſe ye the Lord. And the Apoſtle cryes up this Priviledge. Rom. 3.1, 2. What advantage then hath the Jew, and what profit is there of Circumciſion? Much every way: Chiefly, becauſe unto them were committed the Oracles of God. The ſtate of many Nations is Doleful, becauſe they have not the Goſpel. And it is not without Cauſe, that many Bleſs God for the Goſpel. It is to be prized upon this Conſideration, That Men have an Opportunity thereby, for the recovering of their Sight. In this way it is very Serviceable.
1. This is Pleaſant. 'Tis a delightful thing to have the Eyes open. Ecl. 11.7. Truly the Light is Sweet, and a pleaſant Thing it is for the Eyes to behold the Sun. It is pleaſant to ſee Palaces, and Navies, and Cities, and Armies; it is pleaſant to an Hungry Man to ſee Bread, to the Thirſty to ſee a Fountain of Living Water, to a purſued Man to ſee a Caſtle. When Mens Eyes are opened, they ſee things that are Wonderful. Pſal. 119.18. Open thou mine Eyes, that I may ſee wondrous Things in thy Law. David longed to ſee more. Pſal. 63.2. To ſee thy Power and Glory, ſo as I have ſeen thee in the Sanctuary. The Sight of Chriſt, is a Glorious Sight: So the Sight of the Mercy and Faithfullneſs of God; no Worldly Objects are to be compared unto them. It is worth the while to go through a great deal of Trouble, for a Sight of Jeſus Chriſt. The Angel ſends Word to the Diſciples, that Chriſt would go before them into Galilee, and there they ſhould ſee him. Math. 28.7. It is worth the while to take a great Journey for a Sight of Chriſt. Phil. 3.10. Paul's Heart was in it, that he might know him, and the Power of his Reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his Sufferings. When the Wiſe Men ſaw the Star that directed to Chriſt, they rejoiced with exceeding great Joy. Math. 2.10. The Sight of Jeſus Chriſt is a beautiful Viſion. The very Reaſon why Mortal Man can't ſee God and live, as it is ſaid, Exod. 33.20. is becauſe ſuch a Sight of God as Saints have in Heaven, would occaſion ſo much Joy, as would be outbidding to the Nature of Man. The greateſt Delight of Man, muſt needs lie in the Exerciſe of his ſuperiour Faculties, Underſtanding and Will, upon the moſt glorious Objects. It is a muſt pleaſant Thing, to enjoy ſpiritual Light.
2. It Sanctifies the Heart. You complain of an hard Heart, a rebellious Heart, a worldly, and an envious and ſtubborn Heart, but the opening of your Eyes will help you. The Sight of God and Jeſus Chriſt has a great deal of power to Sanctify you. When you ſee God, you will truſt in him. Pſal. 9.10. They that know thy Name, will put their truſt in thee. The reaſon that Men are ſo backward to truſt in Chriſt, is not becauſe they know themſelves to be ſo bad, but becauſe they are Ignorant of God and of Chriſt. When they ſee God and Chriſt, they ſee the Foundation of Faith; what abundant Encouragement there is to put their truſt in him. When they ſee God, they will love him. The Excellency of God has a magnetick Power to draw the Heart. Before they ſee him, they can't love him, whatever Arguments are uſed with them: and when they ſee him, they will love him, whatever Temptations they have. Pſal. 91.14. Becauſe he hath ſet his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will ſet him on high, becauſe he hath known my Name. If your Sight be recovered, you will ſee the reaſon of all ſpiritual Duties. When Men ſee the hatefulneſs of Sin, they will hate it. The knowledge of God will make Men Upright. Pſal. 36.10. Stretch forth thy loving Kindneſs to them that know thee, and thy Faithfullneſs to the Upright in Heart. Then Men are Upright, when they ſerve God for his own ſake, and that they will do when they ſee his Worthineſs.
3. It ſecures Eternal Life. If a Man be ſecure of Eternal Life, that will make Afflictions eaſy; that will make Enjoyments more ſweet; that will make Duties pleaſant; that will make Death Comfortable and Profitable, and if Mens Sight be recovered, Eternal Life will. They will not always have the Knowledge of it, but they will be in a ſafe Condition. Blind Men won't find the way to Heaven; but when their Eyes are opened, they will ſee the way. They that have the Light of Grace, ſhall have the Light of Glory. The Light of Grace and Glory are of the ſame kind, though not in the ſame degree. Thoſe that God makes ſpiritually Wiſe, are Wiſe unto Salvation. They that have this Viſion will not Periſh. If God ſhews Men the Path of Life, they will be brought into his Preſence, where there is fullneſs of Joy, and to his right Hand, where are Pleaſures for evermore. Pſal. 16.11. Happy is the Man that findeth Wiſdom, and the Man that getteth Underſtanding. Joh. 17.3. This is Eternal Life to know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent.
3 USE. Of Examination, whether you have received this benefit of the Goſpel. You are Thankful to God for the Goſpel, and many times in your Prayers bleſs God for it. And you pity thoſe that have not the Goſpel, but what are you the better for it? Have you recovered your Sight? You have got abundance of Knowledge by it, and are able to Diſcourſe very Underſtandingly about it. You increaſe continually in Rational Knowledge; this may be, and yet you may remain ſpiritually Blind. There are but a few that are recovered. There are but a few that are bodily Blind, and there be but a few but are ſpiritually Blind. It may be you have Illuminations, and yet are Blind.
Signes are, 1. Common Illumination is affecting, but when the Eyes are opened, Men are convinced. Common Illuminations do ſometimes greatly affect. Men are glad and taken with them, and they are Thankful. Math. 13.20. He that received the Seed into ſtony Places, is he that heareth the Word, and anon with Joy receiveth it. Gal. 4.15. Where is then the Bleſſedneſs you ſpake of? for I bear you Record, that if it had been poſſible, you would have plucked out your own Eyes, and have given them to me. But theſe Illuminations don't convince, them of the Truth of the Goſpel, and of the ſureneſs of the Grace of God: But when Mens Eyes are opened, they are convinced: They are indeed affected, but that is not all; but God teaches and ſhews them the Path of Life. Pſal. 16.11. They are taught of God, and learn the truth of the Goſpel. Joh. 6.45. They have the Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation. Eph. 1.17. The Father that is in Heaven reveals Chriſt to them. Math. 16.17. The Word comes with a Divine Authority, and they receive it as it is indeed the Word of God. 1 Theſ. 2.13. They don't ſee a probability, but a certainty in the Doctrines of the Goſpel.
2. Common Illumination diſcovers one particular Thing, but when the Eyes are opened, they ſee all the Foundations of Faith. In common Illuminations, they ſee ſometimes that God is Gracious. Sometimes they have a ſenſe that Heaven is Glorious. Luk. 14.15. One that ſat at Meat, when he heard thoſe Things, ſaid, Bleſſed is he that ſhall eat Bread in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes that there is a great Saviour. Math. 13.20. Anon with Joy he receiveth it. That the Tidings of Salvation are Pleaſant. Gal. 4.15. But when their Eyes are opened, it is Light all about them. Then they ſee that there is an Eternal God; that he is of free Grace, and that his Word is Faithful; that Chriſt Jeſus is the Son of God, the only Mediatour; that he hath ſatisfied Juſtice; that he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt; that he invites the Soul; that in him all Fullneſs dwells. The Soul is ſatisfied as to the whole Doctrine of the Goſpel. He can't think of all things at once, but he ſees that this is the very way of Salvation. He knows God and Jeſus Chriſt, Joh. 17.3. He receives the whole Goſpel. The Light that he has, is the Light of the Goſpel, 2 Cor. 4.4.
3. Common Illumination many times works a Confidence, that works a Dependance. When Men have common Illuminations, they don't work in that way to make them rely on the faithful Offers of God, and roll themſelves on Chriſt. But on that Occaſion they ſay, God is theirs, and Chriſt is theirs, and they promiſe themſelves Heaven; but they don't accept the Calls and Invitations of the Goſpel, and relinquiſh all their own Righteouſneſs, and truſt in Chriſt, as offered to them, but catch at ſome Promiſe as if it were theirs. They are Thankful to God, but when the Eyes of Men are opened, they ſee an offer of Mercy and accept of it. They ſee God calling and inviting them: They ſee an open Door ſet before them, and that God is ſending a Meſſage of Mercy to them. He ſhews them the way of Life, and the propoſals of Mercy, and they conſent to the Invitation, and cloſe with God's Propoſal, and yield Obedience to the Command of the Goſpel. They ſee an Offer made to them, and they are required to receive it, and the Will is bound to cloſe with it, as that which is Safe and Glorious. There is an Aſſent of the Underſtanding, and a Conſent of the Will. The Man relies on Chriſt, as a Man would venture his Life in a ſtrong Caſtle. So he makes Chriſt his Refuge. He flees for Refuge, to lay hold on the Hope that is ſet before him, Heb. 6.18. After this, he reflects on what he has ſeen and done, and thence there ariſeth a Confidence. The Call of God works firſt Dependance, and afterwards a Confidence. Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by Faith, we have Peace with God.
4. Common Illumination ſometimes makes Men to depend in part on Chriſt; but when the Eyes are opened, they depend upon him alone. Men receive ſome common Illuminations, and they think that Chriſt is ſufficient for ſuch Penitent Humble Sinners as they, and ſo they depend partly upon themſelves, and partly upon Chriſt. They truſt partly in the Law, and partly in the Goſpel. They depend partly on Works, and partly on Chriſt. The Apoſtle declares againſt that; he ſays, Rom. 11.6. If by Grace, then it is no more of Works: Otherwiſe Grace is no more Grace. If of Works, it is no more Grace: Otherwiſe Work is no more Work. Such as have only common Illuminations, take their firſt Encouragement from themſelves, and hope that the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt will make up their Defects. But thoſe whoſe Eyes are opened, do truſt in Chriſt alone. Phil. 3.3. We Rejoice in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no Confidence in the Fleſh. They ſee a ſufficiency in Chriſt Jeſus, and make that, together with God's Grace and Faithfulneſs, the whole Foundation of their Faith. Rom. 4.5. They believe on him that juſtifieth the Ungodly. They have no Dependance on any thing of their own.
4. USE. Of Advice to thoſe whoſe Eyes are opened, to uſe this Mercy well. God hath bleſſed the Goſpel for the recovery of your Sight, and thereby has laid a Foundation of Bleſſedneſs in you. God has made you more Happy, than many Men that make a greater Figure in the World than you do. In the Day that God opened your Eyes, he opened a Door to you to ſuch Bleſſedneſs, as cannot enter into the Heart of Man to Conceive of. He has beſtowed many other Enjoyments upon you, but they are not to be compared with this. Let it be your care to uſe this Mercy well.
Particularly, 1. Don't Darken your Eyes again Indeed you can't put out your own eyes. 1 Joh. 2.27. The Anointing that you have received of him, abideth in you. Yet you may much Darken your own Eyes. There be two ways wherein you may do it: One is by carnal Reaſoning. Sometimes Men become Vain in their Imaginations, and ſo their fooliſh Hearts are darkned. Sometimes they argue from the greatneſs of their Sins; as if their Sins were too big or too many for God to Pardon. They limit the Holy One of Iſrael, as if their Sins did exceed God's Mercies; as if God could not find in his Heart to overcome their Provocations; or as if Chriſt's Blood were not of Value enough to expiate their Guilt. Sometimes they argue from the Juſtice of God, as if he muſt avenge himſelf upon them; as if their Sufferings would give better Satisfaction to the Law, than the Sufferings of Chriſt: As if it would be a deluding of the Law to acquit them on the account of the Death of Chriſt. Sometimes they argue from the greatneſs of Heavenly Glory, as if it were too much for God to be willing to beſtow. Sometimes they argue from the fewneſs of thoſe that are ſaved, as if there were no likelihood that they ſhould be of that Number; and ſo they ſet their uncertain Reaſonings againſt the infallible Word of God. They ſet Appearances and Conjectures againſt the ſure Word of Prophecy. The other way wherein Men Darken their Eyes, is by Unbelief. God Encourages them to come to Chriſt, but they don't know that it is God that ſpeaks: The Word doth not come with a divine Authority upon their Heart. They are not ſenſible that the Words are the Words of a Faithful God. They don't know the certainty of what is ſpoken. Chriſt upbraids his Diſciples for this, Luk. 24.25. O Fools, and ſlow of Heart to believe thoſe Things that the Prophets have Written. They don't know what to make of the Encouragement of the Word. They looſe the ſenſe of the Glorious Faithfulneſs of God, who ſpeaks in his Word. Unbelief brings a Miſt before the Eyes. You muſt maintain the exerciſe of Faith, as David when he ſays, The Words of the Lord are pure Words; like Silver tried in a Furnace of Earth, purified ſeven Times. Pſal. 12.6.
2. Get your Sight increaſed. As the Morning Light increaſes more and more unto the perfect Day, ſo you muſt be careful to grow in ſpiritual Knowledge. 2 Pet. 3.18. Grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. And there be two ways of increaſing it, both hinted in Eph. 1.17. That God would give unto you the Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of him. One way is ſpiritual Reaſoning and Arguing. There be many Arguments whereby we may be eſtabliſhed in thoſe Truths that are the Foundation of Faith. Many things that clear it up, that the Scriptures are indeed the Word of God; that Chriſt Jeſus is the Son of God; that his Sufferings ſatisfy for our Sins; that we ſhall certainly be ſaved in a way of Beliving; by Muſing and Conſidering theſe things, we may be further eſtabliſhed in the Truth, and be confirmed in the belief of the way of Salvation by Chriſt. As carnal Reaſonings ſtrengthen Unbelief, ſo Spiritual Reaſonings do ſtrengthen Faith. The other way is by ſpecial Diſcoveries. This is called Revelation: Not ſuch as the Prophets had, but ſometimes the Spirit of God breaths in with much Light into the Heart; the Curtain is drawn, the Vail is laid aſide, and there be raiſed Acts of Faith, whereby he ſees both the Reality and Glory of Goſpel Truths. Sometimes God diſcovers, that God delights to ſave Sinners by Chriſt; that he is free to accept the Soul; that Chriſt is now in Glory at the right Hand of God; that the Promiſes of the Goſpel are True and Faithful. This David has reſpect to, Pſal. 119.18. Open thou mine Eyes, and I ſhall behold wondrous Things in thy Law. The Sun of Righteouſneſs doth appear to them, with Healing in his Wings. Mal. 4.2.
3. Walk as Children of the Light. This is required, Eph. 5.8. You were ſometimes Darkneſs, but now are you Light in the Lord: Walk as Children of the Light. God may well expect it that you ſhould walk according to the Light that he hath given you. If Things be indeed as you have ſeen them, what manner of Perſons ought you to be in all holy Converſation and Godlineſs? If God be Glorious as you have ſeen, Powerful, Merciful, Faithful, then you ſhould truſt in him in all your Difficulties, and not give way to a diſcouraged Spirit, but be Rejoycing in the Covenant of God. If Jeſus Chriſt be an All-ſufficient Saviour as you have ſeen, you ſhould not be afraid to put your truſt in him, but ſhould Rejoice in him, when you have the ſenſe of your own Unworthineſs and Sinfulneſs. If God be ſuch a Glorious Portion as you have ſeen, you ſhould be weaned from the World, nor have a craving, violent Spirit after outward Enjoyments, like Men that have nothing elſe; but you ſhould have an Heavenly Converſation, and be taken up in the Conſideration of the Glory of another World, and be thirſting after the Preſence of God. If God be ſo great and Glorious as you have ſeen, you ſhould be very obedient to his Voice. If there be ſuch wonderful Grace in the Goſpel, you ſhould be quickened to all Duties of Obedience, deny Ungodlineſs and worldly Luſts; and live Godly, Righteouſly and Soberly in this preſent World. It is a great Provocation to God, for Perſons whoſe Eyes have been opened, to carry as others. 1 Theſ. 4.5. Not in the Luſt of Concupiſcence, as other Gentiles that know not God. God was Angry with Solomon, becauſe he forſook the Lord that had appeared unto him twice. 1 Kin. 11.9. ſpiritual Knowledge leads to ſpiritul Practices. The Doctrines of the Goſpel do greatly advance Holineſs.
4. Seek to God, that the Eyes of others may be opened. When a Man's Eyes are opened, he ſhould long that the Eyes of many others ſhould be opened upon a double Account. One is, that the Gloriouſneſs of God and Chriſt Jeſus may be ſeen. It is a ſorrowful Thing, that Men ſhould have ſuch low Thoughts of God and Jeſus Chriſt, who deſerve ſo much Eſteem. Men have diſhonourable Thoughts of them, and caſt a great deal of Contempt upon them, without any Reaſon. It is greatly to be deſired, that they judge aright of them. The other is the Experience that he has had, what a miſerable Condition Men are in that are Blind. Some are Sottiſh and Senceleſs: Some are Tormented in Conſcience, and both ſorts in danger of eternal Ruine. Theſe Conſiderations ſhould make ſuch a Man to be in Pain for others, for Children and Neighbours: And there is great Reaſon to be imploring of God, that he would open their Eyes. There is a great deal of Encouragement in the many Promiſes that God has made. There be Promiſes to Chriſt, and Promiſes to the Church, and Promiſes to Miniſters. Theſe Things ſhould be pleaded with God. God has done great Things in Anſwer to the Prayers of his People. It is a Thing pleaſing to God, that his People have this upon their Hearts. Let this be often remembred when you come before God, that the Preaching of the Goſpel may not be in Vain, but that many among us, Children and others, may recover their Sight; as the Prophet Eliſha Prays for his Servant. 2 Kin. 6.17. And Eliſha prayed, and ſaid, Lord I pray thee open his Eyes that he may ſee.