Lord. Secondly, The church's propriety and multiply citations of the Prophets and Evaninterest on him-thy light, and risen upon gelists, who with one consent all magnify thee, which hath a restrictive emphasis, as this light, take the true testimony of a false the very next verse doth clearly manifest. prophet (and indeed, the favourable witness As he is originally the glory of the Lord, and the light of the Lord, lumen de lumine, so he is communicatively the church's light and her glory too, as it is expressed in the 19th verse of the same chapter-" Thy God thy glory" thus hath she both his worth, and her own right in him, to consider. Thirdly, His presence, or her actual possession he is come, and is risen. And in these the church, and each faithful soul, may find a double spring of affection, the one of love, the other of joy. The transcendent beauty of Christ makes him the choicest object of love, and her property in him or title to him, together with possession, is the proper cause of solid joy.

of an adversary is strongest). It is that of Balaam, who saw that Christ was light, though because he saw him afar off (as he says himself) and had not his eye fortified, like the true prophets, he discerned him but as a star. There shall come a star out of Jacob, &c. Numb. xxiv. 17. But what need we go so far, to be certified what this light and glory of the Lord is, the Lord of glory himself, seeing the very next verse to the text assures us of it? Upon thee shall the Lord arise. And in the 19th verse, The Lord shall be thy everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

wrapped up in the darkness of human nature. He is that day-spring from on high that hath visited us, as old Zacharias speaks, Luke i. 78.

By this time, hope it is clear, that the eternal Son of God, co-essential with his First, then, this excellency is expressed Father, was he that gave accomplishment to by these two characters-light, and the glory this prophecy, by appearing to the world of the Lord. Concerning which, it will be fit both to demonstrate that they are the proper titles of Christ, and here to be taken for him; as also, to shew what they signify in him. Among all created excellencies, none can Indeed, the apostle, in his second epistle be borrowed more fitly representing Christ to the Corinthians, 3d chapter, insists much than that of light. And is it not Christ in extolling both the light and the glory of that decks his church with supernatural the gospel, and in the 4th verse of the next beauty, and makes it indeed xoros, a chapter, speaks of the light of the glorioust comely world, called out of the world? But gospel; but he immediately intimates whence the manifold agreement of light with Christ, it hath this light and glory; the glorious doth require more particular consideration. gospel of Christ, says he, who is the image Light is (as they call it) primum visibile, of God. So that it is most unnecessary to the first object of sight; and Jesus Christ, inquire whether the Messiah, or the word whom the apostle styles God over all, blessthat reveals him, be rather here couched ed for ever, is, primum intelligibile, the under these terms of light and the glory of prime object of the understanding. What the Lord. These two agree so well toge- is then become of that divine sparkle, that ther, and these words agree so well to them understanding soul, that the Father of spiboth, that it were an injury to attempt to rits breathes into these bodies, that all our sever them. All the difference will be this: thoughts creep here below, and leave their Christ is that incomplex and substantial chief and noblest object unconsidered ? light, the gospel that complex light wherein Which of us may not complain, (though he appears. But (not to be guilty of dark few of us do,) that our souls have either terms, especially in a discourse of light) I no wings to elevate themselves to the contake it in this resemblance: Christ is the templation of him, from whom they issued ; sun, and the gospel his proper sphere or or if they make offers at it, our affections, heaven, wherein he gives light to his church. engaged to the world, make us, like a bird He is primarily the glory of the Lord, and tied by the foot, fall presently down again the gospel by participation, because it de- into the mire? It is high time to leave clares him so that much of that which shall hunting shadows, and to turn our internal be spoken here of Christ, will be secondarily eye to the beholding of this uncreated light. to be understood of the gospel of Christ. In this elementary world, light being (as That Christ is light, the Scripture speaks we hear) the first visible, all things are seen abundantly. His own voice, concerning by it, and it by itself. Thus is Christ, himself, (notwithstanding the cavil of the among spiritual things, in the elect world Pharisees,) is above all exception, for he is of his church; all things are made manitruth itself: I am the light of the world, fest by the light, says the apostle, Eph. saith he; he that follows me shall not walk v. 13, speaking of Christ, as the followin darkness, John viii. 12. The Fathering verse doth evidently testify. It is in that seat him gives him the same title: I his word that he shines, and makes it a diwill give thee for a light of the Gentiles, recting and convincing light, to discover all Isaiah xlii. 6, and xlix. 6. And not to things that concern his church and himself,

to be known by its own brightness. impertinent then is that question so much dwelt among men, he shunned not publicans

How capable of infection, and therefore, while he

tossed by the Romish church: How know you the Scriptures (say they) to be the word of God, without the testimony of the church? I would ask one of them again, how they can know that it is day-light, except some light a candle to let them see it? They are little versed in holy scripture that know not that it is frequently called light; and they are senseless that know not that light is seen and known by itself. If our gospel be hid, says the apostle, it is hid to them that perish; the god of this world having blinded their minds against the light of the glorious gospel, &c., no wonder if such stand in need of a testimony. A blind man knows not that it is light at noon-day, but by report: but to those that have eyes, light is seen by itself.

and sinners, but sought them rather; for with such was his business and employment. Indeed, for a frail man to be too bold in frequenting profane and obstinate persons, though with intention to reclaim them, is not always so safe. Metus est ne attrahant: they may pull him in that would help them forth, and pollute him that would cleanse them. But our Saviour, the light of the world, runs no such hazard; he is stronger than the most perverse sinner, yea, than the prince of darkness himself, over whom his banners are always victorious, and purer than to be in danger of pollution. His precious blood is a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness; sinners are purified by it, and it is not defiled by them. Thousands have washed in it, yet it shall abide, and always shall be more perfectly pure: And such a high-priest was needful for us, aμizvтos, Undefiled; and though conversant with sinners, to communicate to them his goodness, yet separate from sinners in immunity from their evil, Heb. vii. 26.

Again, it makes all other things that are in themselves to become actually visible (as they speak); so by the word of this substantial Word, Jesus Christ, all things in religion are tried and discovered. The very authority of the church which they obtrude so confidently, must be stopped and examined To this agrees well that title the prophet by these Scriptures, which they would make Malachi gives him, chap. iv. 2, when he calls stand to its courtesy. Doctrines and wor-him the Sun of righteousness, full of purity ship must be tried by this light; and what and righteousness, (as the sun is of light,) will not endure this trial, must not be en- all luminous, without spot, subject to no dured in the house of God. To the law eclipse in himself, his light being his own, and to the testimony (says the prophet): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, Isa. viii. 20. The rays of Christ's light are displayed through both his Testaments, and in them we see him.

though our sins interposing may hide him sometimes from us, as those real eclipses in the sun, are rather ours, for we are deprived of light, but not the sun. Christ is many ways most fitly called the sun; for since all created light falls infinitely short of his worth, the prince and chief of them, the sun cannot but suit best, so far as may be, to set forth his excellency.

But oh! how sublime is the knowledge of him! None is ignorant that there is light, yet what light is, few know; the best wits are troubled to define it: so all that bear the The light of the sun is neither parted nor name of Christians acknowledge that Christ diminished, by being imparted to many is, but to know what he is, is of marvellous several people and nations that behold it at difficulty. In a speculative way, unfound-one time; nor is the righteousness of this able is the depth of his nature and properties, Sun of righteousness either lessened to himand his generation who can declare? says self, or to several believers, by many partakour prophet. I define not, whether his eternal ing of it at once; it is wholly conferred upon generation, or his incarnation in time. These each one of them, and remains whole in himare mysteries that shall hold the very angels busy in admiration for ever; and for experimental knowledge by faith, how small is the number of those that are truly acquainted with it!

self. Hence it is, that not only Christ invites so liberally sinners to come to him, but even justified persons would so gladly draw all others to lay hold on this righteousness of their Redeemer; knowing well, that if all the world were enriched by it, they themselves would be no whit the poorer.

Again, light fitly resembles Christ in purity: it visits many impure places and lights upon the basest parts of the earth, and yet Again, the sun hath a vivifying power, remains most pure and undefiled. Christ not only of plants and vegetables, but, if sees and takes notice of all the enormities philosophers be right, Sol et homo generant and sinful pollutions in the world, as David hominem; it hath a special influence in the says of the sun, (Psalm xix. 6,) there is no-generation of man; but it is both more certhing hid from his beams; yea, many of those tainly and more eminently true of this Sun foul evils he cures, and purgeth away these we speak of, in man's regeneration, that he pollutions, and yet is never stained by them is the proper and principal efficient of it. in the least degree. He is a physician not The Evangelist calls him at once, The light

und the life of men, John i. 4. To say no-they please. Now, to dissipate this darkness thing of him as a treasure, he is the source and remedy this confusion, Christ shines exof our spiritual life and motion. ternally in his word: but too much daily When the sun takes its course towards us experience testifies, that this is not sufficient ; in the season of the year, it drives away the therefore to those whom he will make chilsharp frosts and the heavy fogs of winter, it dren of the light, to meet with this outward clears the heavens, decks the earth with va- light of his word, he gives another internal, riety of plants and flowers, and awakes the by the Spirit. The sun can make dark birds to the pleasant strains of their natural things clear, but it cannot make a blind man music. When Christ, after a kind of winter-see them: but herein is the excellency of absence, returns to visit a declining church, this sun, that he illuminates not only the admirable is the change that he produces; object, but the faculty; doth not only reveal all begins to flourish by his sweet influence; the mysteries of his kingdom, but opens his house, his worship, his people, are all blind eyes to behold them. And the first clothed with a new beauty, but it is spiritual; lineament of the renewed image of God in and therefore none but spiritual eyes can dis- man, is that light in the understat.ding, recern it. When he will thus return, all the moving not only that simple ignorance of power and policy of man can no more hinder divine things, but those misconceits likewise, him, than it could stay the course of the sun and false principles, and that wicked pertiin its circle. In like manner, a deserted, for- nacy, whereof man's mind is naturally full. saken soul, that can do nothing but languish He that "at first commanded light to shine and droop while Christ withdraws himself, out of darkness," infuseth saving knowledge what inexpressible vigour and alacrity finds and light into the dark soul of man. And it at his returning! Then those graces that, this light (as was said) kindles love. It is while they lurked, seemed to have been lost vehiculum caloris, hath a powerful influence, and quite extinguished, bud forth anew with begetting heat in the affections. Nor can pleasant colour and fragrant smell. It is the this divine light be ever again fully extinlight of his countenance that banisheth their guished, but conducts the soul that hath refalse fears, that strengthens their faith, and ceived it, till it be received to the land of cures their spiritual infirmities. This Sunlight and perfect happiness. Thus in our is indeed the sovereign physician: Unto you Redeemer is the fountain of life, as the that fear my name, shall the Sun of righ-Psalmist speaks: And in his light do we teousness arise with healing under his see light, Psalm xxxvi. 9. wings, Mal. iv. 2. He is likewise here styled, The glory of

Finally, all darkness flies away before him: the Lord. In 1 Sam. iv. 21, the ark of God it was his arising in the world that made the is called the glory, but it enjoyeth that name day break and the shadows fly away. The as a type of Christ, in whom that now which types and shadows of the law were then abo-the ark contained was fulfilled. The taberlished. It was his light that dispelled the nacle is called the dwelling of God's glory, mists of ignorance and idolatry, and he alone Psalm xxvi. 8, likewise typifying him in the delivers the soul from the night of sin, and tabernacle, in whose human nature that glory misery procured by it: all the stars, and the dwells far more excellently, John i. 14: moon with them, cannot make it day in the Exпyword by hμg "He dwelt in a taberworld; this is the sun's peculiar: nor can nacle among us, and we saw his glory as nature's highest light, the most refined the glory of the only-begotten Son of God, science and morality, make it day in the full of grace and truth." The author of the soul; for this is Christ's. epistle to the Hebrews calls him απαύγασμα, The common light of reason, every man" the brightness of his Father's glory, and that comes into the world hath from him as the character of his person," Heb. i. 3. And his Creator, but the special light of grace under these expressions lies that remarkable they alone that are born again have from mystery of the Son's eternal relation to the him as their Saviour. Gross is the dark- Father, which is rather humbly to be adored ness of every natural mind, till Christ en- than boldly to be explained, either by God's lighten it. It can neither discern nor re- perfect understanding of his own essence, or ceive the things of God, ou dixerai. Ye were by any other notion. It is true, he is called darkness, (says the apostle,) but now are the wisdom of the Father, but this wisdom you light in the Lord. It is nothing else is too wonderful for us. He is called the but a mass of darkness; and the companion Word, but what this word means, I think, of darkness is confusion, as it was in the we shall not well know till we see him face mass of the world before light was created. to face, and contemplate him in the light of And what is there under heaven more con- glory. Meanwhile we may see him to be fused than a carnal mind ?—the affections the glory of the Lord in a safer way, and quite out of order, and though all naught, sufficient measure to guide us on to that We saw yet sometimes fighting one with another, and clear vision reserved above for us. continually hurrying the judgment whither his glory, says that sublime evangelist. But

how could this excellent glory be seen by jointly spoken of: The Lord is my light, and sinful men, and not astonish and strike dead withal my salv ion, whom shall I fear? the beholders? He was made flesh, and dwelt says David, Psalm xxvii. 1. The Lord is among us, (says he,) and so we saw his a sun, and he is a shield too, Ps. lxxxiv glory. That majesty that we could never 11; and truly I think him shot-proof that have looked upon, he veiled with human hath the sun for his buckler. And for glory; flesh, that we might not die, yea live, by Upon all the glory shall be a defence, says seeing him. There he stood behind the our prophet in his 4th chap. 5th ver; and wall, and shewed himself through the trellis the Prophet Zechariah, where he calls the In him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead, Lord the church's glory in the midst of her, Col. ii. 9, but it was oueries, bodily: for he calls him likewise a wall of fire round who could have endured the splendour of the about her, Zech. ii. 5. The only way then Godhead's fulness, if that cloud of his body to be safe, is to keep this light and this glory had not been drawn betwixt? And through entire. To part with any part of this glory, it did shine that grace and truth, that wis-is to make a breach in that wall of fire; and dom and power in the work of our redemp-if that be a means of safety, let all men judge. tion, whereby he was clearly manifested to be No, keep it whole, and then they must come the glory of the Lord. through the fire that will assault you. Nor

Surely we need not now ask the church, is this light only defensive of the church that or a believing soul, What is her beloved embraceth it, but likewise destructive of all more than another ? Or, if we do, well may adverse powers. See a clear testimony for she answer, "He is the chiefest among ten this in Isa. x. 17, 18: "And the light of thousand, and altogether lovely:" for he is Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One the light of the world, and the glory of the for a flame," (speaking there of the AssyLord. Let not the numerous titles of earthly rians,) "and it shall burn and devour his potentates be once admitted into comparison thorns and briers in one day, and shall conwith these. If we believe David, in his 62d sume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitPsalm, 9th verse, the stateliest things and ful field, both soul and body; and they shall persons in the world being balanced with be as when a standard-bearer fainteth," &c. vanity itself, are found lighter than it and Let ever, then, the church of God entirely shall we offer to weigh them with Christ? observe this light and glory of the Lord; If we knew him rightly, we would not sell and she shall undoubtedly be preserved by it. the least glance or beam of this light of his But, to close in a word, first to those that countenance for the highest favour of mortal know this light, and then to those that are men, though it were constant and unchange.. yet strangers to it.

able, which it is not. It is ignorance of You who know Christ, glory in him perChrist that maintains the credit of those vani-petually. Well may he be your glory, when ties we admire. The Christian that is truly he is the glory of the Lord. There are some acquainted with him, enamoured with the that pretend love to Christ, and yet a tauntbrightness of his beauty, can generously ing word of some profane miscreant will altrample upon the smilings of the world with most make them ashamed of him; how would the one foot, and her frownings with the they die for Christ that are so tender as not other. If he be rich or honourable, or both, to endure a scoff for him? Where is that yet he glories not in that, but Christ, who is spirit of Moses, that accounted the very rethe glory of the Lord, is even then his chief-proaches of Christ greater riches than the est glory; and the light of Christ obscures treasures of Egypt? O, learn to glory in that worldly splendour in his estimation. Christ, think highly of him, and speak so And as the enjoyment of Christ overtops all too. Methinks it is the discourse in the world his other joys, so it overcomes his griefs. becomes Christians best, to be speaking As that great light drowns the light of pro- one to another honourably of Jesus Christ; sperity, it shines bright in the darkness of and of all men, the preachers of his gospel affliction. No dungeon so close that can should be most frequent on this subject. keep out the rays of Christ's love from his This should be their great theme, to extol beloved prisoners. The world can no more and commend the Lord Jesus, that they may take away this light, than it can give it. inflame many hearts with his love: and best Unto the just ariseth light in darkness, can they do this, who are most strongly taken saith the Psalmist. And, When I sit in with this love themselves. Such will most darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me, gladly abase themselves, that Christ may be says the church, in the 7th of Micah, 8th magnified; and whatsoever be their excellenverse. And as this light is a comfort, so it cies, they still account Christ their glory: is likewise a defence, that suffers no more of and they are richly repaid, for he accounts distress to come near the godly than is profit- them his glory. This would seem a strange able for them. Therefore we find very fre- word, if it were not the apostle's, "They are quently in Scripture, where this light and the messengers of the churches, and the glory glory is mentioned, protection and safety of Christ," 2 Cor. viii. 23. Delight who

will either in sloth and ignorance on the one shall convey him no further; he goes into hand, or in vain speculation and strains of eternity in the dark; and, therefore, as St. frothy wit on the other; surely those preach- John says, he knows not whither he goeth. ers shall only be approved in the great day, Quò nunc abibis ? said that emperor to his who have constantly endeavoured in their mea-soul. Is it not a sad thing, when the soul sure to speak the best and fittest they could that knows no other but worldly light, must for their Master's advantage. And happy take leave of it, and enter into eternal darkthose Christians, of what estate soever, that ness, there to be incessantly tormented with in all estates make Christ their glory, and in present anguish, and the frightful expectaall actions have their eye fixed upon his glory, tion of the last judgment, where it must take who is their light and the glory of the Lord! again that body which was the accomplice of Now to those that are strangers to him, its wickedness, to be partaker of its punish(would to God none that are to be spoken to ment: where it shall have a double misery were such!) to them, I say, notice should to behold crowns of immortality distributed to be given both of the excellency and necessity the godly, after the short combats of this of Christ. Though it were possible to grope life, and itself thrust out among the devils? the way to happiness in the dark, yet none Then shall all men be some way sensible, will deny but to be conducted thither by a what is the worth of this now contemned light, constant light, is both more safe and more the Lord Jesus Christ: the greatest number delightful. But were there any possibility too late, for they shall be banished from it to attain that end without this light, the for ever. But the righteous shall then most neglect were not altogether so strange. The perfectly know, and for ever enjoy, this light "To whom, with wonder of all is this, that Christ alone being and glory of the Lord. both that life and the way to it, and the the Father of lights and Spirit of grace, be truth or light that guides in that way, yet eternity of praise and honour.'

SERMON VI.

PREFACE.

Christians (so called) should esteem and look after him as little as if he were wholly needless. What meanest thou, O besotted sinner? Is it so light a thing to die in thy sins, and eternally for them, that thou wilt not so much as open and admit the light of salvation? What shalt thou pretend in that terrible day? Though all other kind of peoWHAT shall it profit a man, if he gain ple should offer some excuse, thou who hast heard the gospel shalt be speechless. For the whole world, and lose his own soul? not only shall the rigour of justice condemn said our Saviour, who was to lay down a thee, but mercy itself shall plead against ransom for it, and knew well that it would thee; for thou hast despised it. That light cost infinitely more than the world was Yet the most of men value their did come and was not embraced, shall be the worth.

main condemnation. How many thousands own souls at a far lower rate than the whole that make no doubt of heaven, yet shall then world, losing them for broken morsels of fall short of it! It is not a superficial pro- it; yea, many times for vain hopes that fession that will then pass current. It is not are never accomplished. And as these men some public sighs and groans from an un-make a miserable bargain, so, by the consanctified heart, which either come from cus-trary, they that lose the world, or any thing tom, or some present touch of the word; worldly, yea, though it were the whole, to nor yet is it some sudden risings of inward save their souls, make a profitable loss of it. affection towards Christ, upon the report of Nature teaches men to hazard and lose all for his worth, that shall then serve the turn. the life of the body, rather than lose it, (alThe intellective knowledge of Christ, the though it prove many times very uncomfortdistinct understanding, yea, the orthodox able by the loss of these outward things,) preaching of his gospel, the maintaining of and yet the most part of men pass their whole his public cause, and suffering for it, shall lifetime without one serious thought of the not then be found sufficient. Only that pe-excellency and importance of their souls, culiar apprehension of Christ, those constant whose life and happiness is of a higher nature, flames of spiritual love, that even course of and neither consists in nor depends upon any Hence it is, that while holy walking in his light, shall be those thing here below. characters whereby Christ shall own his chil- they use the helps of this present life, and dren, and admit them into the inheritance the defences of it when it is in danger, and of perfect light. One of the speakers in the use them with so much diligence and attenbook of Job, discoursing of the prosperity of tion; the means of that better life, of their the ungodly, calls it but his candle, and tells better part, their souls, they either use not at how long it can last: His candle (says he) all, or so slightly and coldly, that they never You may find it shall be put out with him; and that is the find salvation in them. longest term of it: if it last his life-time, it some way in yourselves, the threatenings and