The rising sun, or, The sun of righteousnesse shining upon the sons of unrighteousnesse a theological sun-dyal wherein is to be seen the rising, motion, influence and manifold operations of Christ upon the soul ... as also the description of the true believer ... as also the highest degrees and full growth and grace are here delineated ... / by John Sheffeild [sic]

CHAP. XII. The third Property, Light.

THe next great Property of the Sun, is his Light, which must not be forgotten, Jer. 31. 35. Thus saith the Lord which giveth the Sun for a light by day &c. He speaks as if it was chiefly created for this purpose. Light is the glory of his glory and greatness. Herein an eminent resemblance of Jesus Christ, who is so often called a Light, the True Light, the Light of the world.

As in nature are to be seen several lights, so the Scripture mentions many sorts of Lights. 1 Some good. 2 Some b••d.

1. Some good. 1. Divine and Uncrea∣ted. 2. Created.

1. Divine and Uncreated. Light is so excellent a thing, that God hath not dis∣dained to be described by it, entitled to it, clothed with it.

1. Take God Essentially, he is a Light, 1 Joh. 1. 4. clothed with Light, Ps••l. 104. 2.

2. Consider God Personally, 1. The fa∣ther is called the Father of Lights, as he is the father of Christ, h. e. the Original of in∣created Light. He hath communicated the

Light of Divine nature to Christ, who is God of God, Light of Light; into whom the Father hath put all fulnesse.

2. Christ as God inhabiteth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Light Inaccessible.

3. The Holy Spirit is a like co-equal, and co-eternal Light, whose proper work is il∣lumination; and his first worke in the new creature is answerable to that first word in the old Creation, let there be Light, and there was light. So here the spirit of God moves upon the heart, and brings it out of darkness into a marvellous Light.

4. Christ Iesus as Mediator is the Sunne, into whom the God head hath plentifully im∣parted all fulnesse of Divine Light (as the light of heaven is cumulatively aggregated and embodied in the Sun) to be the standing treasury of the Church, as the Sun is of the world. Thus those phrases are to be under∣stood, that he is the true Light, and Light of the world, viz as he is God-Man, and Mediatour.

2. There are many Created Lights. 1. The Ancientest, the Angels who were at first all of them Angels of Light by creation, (though since many of them are fallen Stars) these the Lord cals the Morning stars who sang together, when all the Sons of God sung for joy; glorifying God for the excellency of his work as they were created. These are Heavenly Lights.

2. There be other Lights in earth, where∣of

the first and chiefe are the holy Scriptures, given to be a light to our feet, and a Lantern to our paths, to which we must attend and follow as a light shining in a dark place. Our Cynosura and Pole Star they are, as we are Mariners; our Pillar of fire, as we are Tra∣vellers; our Sun, as Mr. Brightman inter∣prets all along in the Apocalyps.

2. Next to these are Religious and godly Magistrates, Stars of the first magnitude in the inferior orbs; these come in place and dignity next to the Angels in Principa∣litie, power, and Influence, and when they come neerest to Scripture Rules and Presi∣dents, they are of most sweet aspect, as Gods on earth, Gods set over us in the like∣nesse of men; and these are not as the lesser stars, but as the greatest Sun; when they rule in the fear of God (as David saith.) they shall be as the light of the morning when the Sun ariseth, as a morning without clouds.

3. After these follow the godly and exemplary Ministers, who are the Stars in the hand of Christ, Rev. 2. 1. are to be bur∣ning and shining lights in grace, and do∣ctrine; then are worthy to be looked upon, and followed as the light of the world. You are the light of the world, said our Saviour to his Disciples, lesser lights in the lesser world; these are to be as so many earthly Angels. (To the Angels of the seven Chur∣ches.) Paul was called by Chrysostome, An∣gelus

Terrestris, and these are to receive their light of grace from the Sun of Righte∣ousnesse in heaven, and their light of do∣ctrine from the Sun of scripture in earth, that they may be as men of God throughly furnished to every good work.

4. Each private Christian is so to hold forth the word of life, that they may be as so many lights shining in the world.

Yet Christ and all these lights differ much, 1. He is the great and true light: John Bap∣tist was a burning and shining light, Joh▪ 5. 35. but he was not that light, that true Light. Christ is the true Light, as he is the true Vine, the true Bread; that is the great and excellent Light.

2. Christ is perfect Light, in him no dark∣nesse at all. In the Angels there hath been a defection of Light, there are now many of them in chains of darknesse. In Scrip∣ture is some obscurity; in Ministers, Magi∣strates, Best Christians are many defects, as spots in the Moon; there is smoak in our best elementary fire, and a black steam in our purest wax candles; no smoak or steam in the Sun.

3. He the fountain of Light (as the Sun to stars and creatures, having before been furnished and called to that office) he ha∣ving received all fulnesse from the Father, freely imparts his light to Angels, Scrip∣tures, Magistrates, Ministers, other Chri∣stians, yea to Eve••y man that cometh in••••

••he world, as the Evangelist speaketh: which is to be understood 1. of the light of cōmon understanding and natural Reason, (not that higher light of supernatural Grace; this is not given to all, but hid to many:) for this, as other common mercies, and universal preservation, floweth from Gods rich be∣nignity, as a fruit of Christs interposing. Or 2. If you will understand it of saving knowledg, He enlightens every one that com∣eth into the world, then it must be understood of all, and onely those that are of that num∣ber; none have such light but from him. So in many places of Scripture the word E∣very is to be taken (which, if wel consider∣ed, would discover the unsoundness of Pe∣lagian Doctrines, and Arminian Conclusi∣ons.) The Apostle saith, as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every one to profit withal; not that every man hath faith, (the same Apostle saith, all have not faith) or that every man hath the spirit; but he speaks only of such as are of that num∣ber, the Elect, called, and godly.

4. He the most eminent light, out shining all them, he present they silent, and draw in their light, as the Stars before the Sun. So Angels, Ministers, Scriptures, Ordinan∣ces, yea the Sun it selfe are silent, and of no more use to the Church in that heavenly Jerusalem, where the Lamb is the Sun, and Temple, and Bible, and all.

5. In him all fulnesse, as in the Sun of Light, in Sea of water; all receive all from him, yet all cannot receive all; their all they have, his all they can never have. The Seas treasure cannot be exhausted, when all Rivers, Springs, and other vessels are fil∣led. We have but our measure, no fulness: He no measure, the Father giveth not the spi∣rit by measure to him. But all fulnesse, of whose fulnesse we all receive, and grace for grace.

Ob. Are not the godly said to be full? Ste∣venful of faith, Paul of the Holy Ghost, the Romans of all goodnesse?

Answ. Christ hath his fulnesse, and the Saints their kind of fulnesse, but with great difference; theirs the fulnesse of a smal vessel, his of a fountain; theirs of a member, his of a head; theirs of men, and manhood, his the fulnesse of the Godhead; theirs of a Rive••; his of the Sea; theirs of a Brook or River after much raine, causing a land-flood, his an abiding undecaying fulnesse. Such a land-flood was that fulness, Acts 4. 31. after they had prayed, the place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, &c.

2. As there are these good and pleasing lights, so are there other sad and uncomfor∣table lights.

1. Such as were the old false Apostles, who did put themselves into the forme of Angels of light, pretending to more com∣munion

with God, insight into his Word and Worship, more choice revelations, ex∣traordinary Holinesse, Mortification, pure∣ly Spiritual, perfect enemies to Antichrist, and all received formes, that would bring in a new Christ, and a new Creed into the world. These much troubled the Apostles and obstructed the spreading of the Gospel at first, and this Age seeth the sad effect of such new Angels of Light, pretending to new Truths, new Light.

These would purge out in their Reforma∣tion all the Old leaven, not only that of the Pharisee and of Antichrist, but that of the Gospel and of Christ (for the Kingdome of Heaven hath his leaven too) because all old things must pass away, and all things must become new. But is the new Wine better then the old? Can any new light bee so good as the old Sun? Are not the old paths, the good paths? All Truths hairs are as Christs, white. Truths glory is to be as an∣cient as God himselfe; Gods glory to be the ancient of dayes, yet a God not changed.

2. There are others who are as prodigi∣ous, blazing Stars, who draw the gazing multitude after them. New lights these are indeed, but true Stars they are not; a while they blaze, but are ever of malignant As∣pect: The Vulgar looks upon them with admiration, the Judicious with horror. They outshine in appearance the fixed Stars for

the present, but after a while they are ex∣tinct, being not made up of Heavenly, but combustible matter, and are ominous fore∣runners of sad calamities. Such are those whom Jude and Peter described in their Epi∣stles, who would make their way by new coyned phrases, speaking Great, high soun∣ding, swelling words of vanity, yet are but wells without water, clouds without rain, trees without fruit, full of rage (at what they know not) till they fome againe; Raging waves of the Sea, foming out their owne shame; walking in the wayes, and treading in the very steps of Caine, Balaam and Corah, eminent for all Impiety, Uncleanness and Opposition.

3. There are others who are as Wan∣dring Stars, as Saint Jude termes them. Gods Ministers are fixed Stars, Satans are H••ra••i••k unfixt, wandring. 1. They have no steadiness in their Doctrines, of one opinion to day, another to morrow, as they receive new light they say, changing their faith and leaving their Congregations, as oft as the Nomades and Tartars their Pastures. 2. Un∣fixt in their Orb and Stations, of one Cal∣ling to day, another to morrow. Heri ca∣techumenus, hodie Pontifex, heri in Amphithea∣tro, hodie in Ecclesia; vesperi in Circo, mane in Altari. Yesterday Tradesmen, Sword-men, to day Church-men; at a Play house, Tavern, Quarrel overnight, in the Pulpit next mor∣ning. 3. Most of all wandring in their

Practices, began Religiously, end Impiously, ••epent of their repenting, praying, hearing, ••ast off Duties, Holiness, Morality, and ••re translated into Swine that returne after outside washing to wallow in the mire. Luth••r wittily compares these ignorant Tea∣chers to unskilful Physicians; and saith, The new Doctor sends his Patient a new way to the Church yard, and these new Teachers their followers a new way to hell.

4. There are others who are called falling Stars, of which sort divers are foretold, who shall arise and fall in the last dayes, Matth. 24. 22. Before the coming of Christ, there shall be putting out of the lights; the Sun shall be darkned, and many Stars shall fall from Heaven (from their former profession) Godly Ministers and Professors are fixed Stars never shall fall.

Non est quae cecidit stella, cometa fuit,

But these never were fixed in the Firma∣ment of Election or sound Profession, were but blazing Stars or Planets at the best. These may fall and prove woful Apostates, and which is worse, one falls and fills all with wormwood, occasions bitter (wormwood) divi∣sions, Separations, Censures, at last bitter Persecutions. Waters once turned into Ma∣rah, easily are after turned into Bloud. A∣nother Star falls, and he hath the Key of the Bottomless pit given him, none so fit to bee

trusted with Hells Keyes to let out those multiformed Locusts, and to give a free to∣leration to all Satans Agents and Emissaris as a fallen Star. Fixed Stars have Keyes of Heaven, fallen Stars of Hell.

5. There is another foolish light, ignis fa∣tuus, which sometimes appearing to the sim∣ple Country man affrights him, leads him out of his way into boggs and pits, and a•• length hee is conceited it is some ill Spirit Such are those Imps of Hell, the Fortune∣telling Astrologer, &c. who mutters and peeps, for hee will deliver nothing plainely. A man of such an age, statute, hair, (saith he) hath stole your Horse, Money, Plate, &c. Why doth he not name the man, and bring you to the Goods lost? but he mutters and peepes, that is all the Wizard and Famili∣ar Spirit do. Yet do the simple people go from the living to the dead, from God, af∣••er Satan, by these. These pick the ••redu∣tous Vulgars purse, lead him into a world o•• ••Errors, destroy his dependance upon God▪ hee undertakes nothing but he first enquire•• of Baalzebub, Shall I recover of this sick∣nesse? Shall I go up and prosper?

6. The last of these ill Lights is the e•••• Magistrate, (who as the good Magistrate •••• deservedly put in the first place, so these, •••• they be not put out of all place, deserve the lowest,) that suffers all those forenamed dangerous Lights in Church and State t•• so wtheir Seeds while he connives or sleeps

The good Magistrate beareth Gods Sword, which hath two edges, with one wounding Disturbers of Civil Peace, with the other Corrupters of Religion. The evil Magistrate beareth Satans Buckler, who protects all, wounds none.

But to return: There are many Lights we see, such as they are, some better, some worse: But Christ is the Light, the true light, the Sun; in divers respects:

1. The Suns light is the only day light; All other Lights of Moon, Stars, Fire, Can∣dle are but night lights when all is done, somewhat they relieve in the Suns absence; Christ makes the perfect day; in his Light e∣ternal Light to be seen, without Ministers, Scriptures, Ordinances, which are of use only till we come to heaven.

2. Suns light at first appearance drives a∣way the nights darknesse, and Christ his first Work is to deliver out of ignorance, and from the darknesse of Error and ungodli∣nesse: If we say we have fellowship with Christ and walk in darknesse, we lye, and do not the Truth. And the first effects of Christs in∣fluence upon the Ministers labor, is to open mens eyes, and to turne them from darkness to light, &c.

3. Light discovers every thing that was hid. That which maketh manifest is light, and discovers things in their right shape and colours, bee they beauties or deformities. Christ is this light, whose appearance chaseth

darknesse, and maketh a new discovery of an unknown world of sin in the heart, be∣fore hid and swept behind the door,—I was alive before the Law once. Concupiscence I had▪ but knew it not before the Law came, then sin revived, and I dyed. Christ appear∣ing, the deformity of sin, loathsomenesse of Nature, defects and spots of Duties and Righteousnesse, are discovered, never seen before; and the beauty of Grace, excellen∣cy of Holinesse is laid open to enamour the soul. Christ is the only light that discovers to us the deep things of God, hid in darknesse till he revealed them; and the deep things in men, both the hidden mysteries of unknown wickedness, and the great mysteries of Grace and Godlinesse.

4. The Light directs us how to walk and keep our wayes, and keeps from stumbling and falling into danger. If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the Light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. And Solomon, The way of the wicked is as darkness, they know not at what they stum∣ble. When Israel followed the Pillar of fire they took no hurt. When Judas and Peter followed the Light, kept neer to Christ, they stumbled not; but Peter leaving Christ, dasht his foot against a stone, in Petram scan∣dali, a stumbling stone, and bruised him∣self; but Judas into a Precipice, and broke his neck.

5 The Sun is sent to call us out of our beds, and to invite man to go out to his la∣bour. The Sun ariseth, and man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour until the Even∣ing. And this Sun is sent, not that wee should play out our Damnation with negli∣gence and security, but work out our Salva∣tion with fear and trembling. Yet a little while the light is with you, walk while ye have the light, lest darknesse come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

6. How sweet is light to the sight, and how pleasant it is for the eyes to behold the Sun? No sight so delightful as the Light, and the Sun is the heart-cheering light: But no sight of the Sun it selfe so cheering the soul as the light and sight of Jesus Christ. His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the Ce∣dars. His mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altoge∣ther lovely. This is my Beloved, saith the Church, ravished with his beauty, Cant. 5. 15, 16.

1. If Christ be the light of the world, what cause have we to bless God for Christ. We are excited to praise God again and againe by the Psalmist, that God made the great lights, and to say, His Mercy endures for e∣ver. The Sun to rule by day, and the Moon and Stars by night. But what praise is to be given for Christ; who hath delivered us from the powers of darkness. The world had been a dungeon, if it had not been for the

Sun; and the Church a Hell without Christ.

2. See what need we stand in of Christ, much more then of the Sun. Satius solem non lucere (quam Chrysostomum non d••cere) quam Christum non lucere. Better not see the Sun, then not know Christ. Better with∣out eyes then without faith Can we not walk but stumble without light? nor rise to work till Sun riseth, that we may go forth to labour? We can neither walk, nor work, nor pray, without Christ: Without me ye can do nothing but err, wander, stumble, fall, perish. Doth Sun withdraw, and darkness follow? Darkness come, and Beasts of Prey come forth of their Dens? What darknesse followes when Christ withdraws? and then are wee assaulted with Satan and his Temptations. Do wee open our win∣dowes to let in Sun light? open thine eyes and Christ shall give thee light? Is this light cheerful to the Traveller? Lord, what is the light of thy countenance? Blessed are they that know thy joyful sound. They shall walk in the light of thy countenance all the day long. Do we daily need the renewed light of the Sun, and do wee not daily need a fresh supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ!

None but the blinde undervalue the bene∣fit of light; none but of weak eyes are offen∣ded at it; none but Thieves and Murderers hate and fly it. None but very ignorant, or ve∣ry

wicked, take offence at Christ, and are wea∣ry of him.

3. This may sadly warne us, who yet a little while have the light amongst us, to walk as children of light, lest darknesse come upon us, God either taking away his Go∣spel from us, or us from it, or his blessing from it and us both. The longest day hath his night, and the brightest day of Gospel grace abused, ends in the grossest darknesse. The children of the Kingdome are above all o∣thers cast into utter darkness. They who were lifted up highest to heaven, by enjoying most light, are thrown lowest into Hell for abuse of Light, and this Title of condemnation written over their heads, These loved dark∣ness better then light, because their deeds were evil. Was it not sad the Egyptians should follow the Cloud and Pillar of Fire into the deep and perish? How many go loaden with Mercies, and lighted with Sermons in∣to the Chambers of Hell? How sad, the Samaritans should bee led blindfold into their enemies hands! More sad, if wee will go with open eyes into Perdition, and with the Decii, leap headlong into the gaping Gulph at noon day! But much more sad, those Samaritans should be stricken blind by the Prophet, sent of God to be a Seer, and to make the blind to see! How sad was it that the Sodomites should bee stricken with blindnesse by an Angel of Light! Sad if Satan the God of the World blind thee; but

nothing so sad as when Christ shal take away thy sight, and God shall blind thine eyes. For this great judgment came I into the world, that they who see not may see, and that they who wil not see (when they see) should be made blind. The case of none so sad, as those who go to hel with Balaam, after their eyes are opened, and wilfully perish, as did that obstinate thiefe in the presence of a Sa∣viour.

4. Though Christ be the great light and Sun, yet remember that Ministers, Scrip∣tures and Ordinances,, are not to be cast aside. God created the Stars, and placed them in their orbs, as wel as the Sun; they have their measure of light, and place for use, though all of them united, equal not the Suns light, and he present, they of lit∣tle use. Christ holds the Stars in his right hand, both to present and preserve them; the Church takes them as from Christs hand, and sets them on her head to honour them. They are Christs charge, and the Churches Crowne; in vain is the Arrow shot against the Sun or Stars, it may recoile and wound the shooter, it cannot reach those lights of heaven. Wicked men may be used as Gods snuffers to top (and overtop) his lights (the Ministers) but shall not extinguish them, God hath set them up to give light to his house, he wil not suffer them to be buried under a Bushel. It is our duty therefore, stil to attend to the Scriptures, and to the

Ministry of the Word.

1. To attend to the Scriptures; we have also a more sure word of Prophecie, (said the Apostle) whereunto ye do wel that you take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place. Here the Apostle cals Scripture-Light, our most sure rule to walk by. The most extra∣ordinary Revelations are not to be equalled to them. The most solemn, clear, and in∣fallible Revelations are lesse then Scripture. We, saith the Apostle, were with Christ on the Mount, and were eye witnesses of the glorious transfiguration, and were ear witnesses of that Divine testimony, Thou art my belo∣ved Son. Yet you that have none of these Revelations have that which is as sure (more sure, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) the holy Scriptures, whereto ye do well to attend, &c.

Obj. But the Antiscripturist objects▪ that we must attend to this light of the written word, till the day star arise, and the day dawn in our hearts; but when we have once the spirits tea∣ching, we neede no more the Letter of the Scrip∣ture.

Answ. Here this Scripture is mis-apply∣ed, upon a double mistake. 1. Of what is the meaning of the day dawning, and day star arising in your hearts, which is to be understood of the state of glory, when we shall no more see in a glasse darkly; but while we are here we are in the dark, and in comparison of clear and perfect vision, we may say, now it is night, and then day. This is the first mistake.

2. If you understand it of the Revelation of Christ here, who is the day-star, whose discovery of himself by his spirit to the be∣lievers soul, is the day dawning; then is there another mistake in the word Til, it is not a til of termination, but of provocati∣on rather, and so of continuation stil, Til I come, give attendance to Reading. Did Paul mean Timothy should read no more after his coming to him? The leaven is put into the Meale, and it sowres the Dough til all is leavened; but doth the woman take it out, or doth the sowrnesse cease, when all is leave∣ned? It stil continues. Attend to the Scrip∣ture, searching til the day star arise, and then you wil see much more of the use and excel∣lency of the Seripture, then you now ima∣gine. And very observable it is, that our Saviour at his departure after his Resurre∣ction, having breathed on his Apostles, and given them his spirit, bids them not be a∣bove Scripture, and lay it by. But he ope∣ned their understandings that they might un∣derstand the Scriptures.

2. To attend on the Ministry of the Word, for Christ hath given not only Apo∣stles, Prophets, and Evangelists (extraordi∣nary officers) but Pastors and Teachers to perfect the Saints, to work in the Ministry to build up the body of Christ, til we come to a state of perfection, and the whole Church be compleatly gathered and made one perfect man (or body) in Jesus Christ,

viz. to the end of the world.

Ob. Is it not said, they shal not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother? therefore there is an end of the calling of the Ministry.

Answ. 1. Therefore there is a bar to the teaching of the uncalled Artificer. They shal not teach every man his neighbour, that have no more cal then any of his neighbors. It is no where said, that the Minister shall not teach his neighbours.

2. This is meant, there shall be so much of heavenly knowledge by means of the Scripture, Ministers, and Ordinances, when the spirit of God goes along, that they shall not need every man to teach his neighbour; not so much need, his meaning is. Not teach at all, he means not, for he bids them in this Epistle to Exhort one another, Provoke one a∣nother, and suffer the words of exhortation. All which, he would not have done, if there needed not one man to teach his neighbour at all.

The Particle (not) is in many places not to be taken absolutely, but comparatively; not negatively, but diminutively: we wre∣stle not against flesh and bloud, saith the Apostle; not only, not so much, he meaneth; labour not for the meat that perisheth. He means not we should not labour at all; but not only, or not so much, as for that which endureth to eternal lise. To conclude, This place of Heb. 8. 11. is best opened by consi∣dering

such a place as that of Christ. At that day, ye shall ask in my Name, and I say not unto yo••, that I wil pray the Father for you, for the Father loveth you. He meaneth not, that he wil forbear his Intercession; but be∣sides it, they shal find the Father bearing a particular propensity of good wil to them. So here they shal not need to teach one another, as if that was all, but God wil give in his spirit, so that it shal become more effectual; they shal all know me, from the least to the great∣est.

Obj. 3. Against Scripture and Ministry both, 1 John 2. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, &c.

Ans. The same answer to this, that to the former. You may with comfort attend on Scriptures, and Ministry of the word, be∣cause you have the spirit to anoint your eyes with eye-salve, and lead you into all truth, and to teach you all things, (not all things simply, or all things by inspiration, without use of means) but all written things, all ne∣cessary things.

But he meaneth not, they should upon pretending the spirit, either 1. Slight the Scriptures; for then why did he write this Epistle to them, if they needed none to teach them? 2. Or slight the Ministers? for why doth he himself preach and write to them?

3. Or Rely on the anointing, as if it was the only Bible and Light, when he tels them notwithstanding the anointing they might be, and were some of them seduced. These things have I written concerning them that se∣duce you.

5. If thou wantest light then, this di∣rects us where to seek it. Go to Christ for it. And for that end, 1. Come out of the earth; live not as worms and moles under ground, God bereaveth such of sight; they would not esteeme the light, but despise it. The darknesse comprehendeth not the light; nor can an earthy heart discern spirituall things. Damps arising from the earth, put out all lights; and those of earthly spirits, cannot savour the things of God, but only those of the world. The Pharisees who were covetous, when they heard Christ, derided him, saith St. Luke.

2. Live not in th••se climes where the Gos∣pel Sun comes not; follow the light (of Ordinances) as the wise men the Star. Our countrymen go not to Groenland til the Sun have been there, and stay not when the Sun is withdrawing. The Christian, as the Swal∣low, must follow the motion of the Sun Christ, and of the Gospel his Chariot.

3. Close not thine eyes by wilfull frow∣ardnesse, lest God seals them up with judi∣ciary excoecation, Matth. 13. 13. 15. Do nothing against the truth, but for it, 2 Cor. 13. 8. The Pharisees, because they stood in

their own light, and said, they saw (better then our Saviour) their sin remained; and professing themselves wise, were made fools, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and because they saw they were made blind.

4 Op••n thy doors and windowes stand up from the dead, and Christ shal give thee light; do what in thee is, that thou receivest not grace in vaine. We cannot make the Sun rise before Gods appointed time, and be∣fore that houre, it is in vaine to open all doors and windowes; these drive not away the night, but the Sun. But when the Sun is up, we may stop it out or let it in. We cannot by digging cause springs run, where God denyeth them; but where he placeth them, we may by digging make a well to receive them, or we may stop them up that they run not to us. We can by no means procure a blast of wind at Sea, then all sails cannot put on the ship▪ but the wind blowing faire, we hoise up the sayle, and have the benefit of it. Nature without grace cannot, grace without endeavour will not save us.

5. Go to thy Minister. The Greeks made their way by Philip, to a sight of Je∣sus; and the first Disciples that Jesus called were John's Disciples formerly. The Magi∣strate may take civil Marriages out of the Ministers hands, if it be his pleasure; but spirituall and sacred marriages he cannot; they are to espouse believers to their hus∣band,

and to present them as chast Vir∣gins unto Christ, 2 Cor. 11. 2.

6. Pray much to Christ; Lord, that mine ••yes may be opened; those blind men had not power to see, but they had power to be sensi∣ble. Lord I cannot see thy light, I can on∣ly see my owne darknesse; I cannot pray, or believe, but I can cry. Thou givest both light and sight, light where sight, sight where was no sight, and eye-salve to mend the bad sight. O Lord, who is so blind as thy servant? and who so deaf? Seeing many things, but observing nothing? Take off the scales from these eyes, the vaile from this heart, that I may come out of my darknesse, into thy marvellous light.

Notes

• John 1 4 9 & 8 12, & 9 5 & 12, 35 Isa 426
• Ja••. •• 17
• Col. 1. 19. 1 Tim. 6. 16.
• Eph. 1, 18.
• Job. 38. 7.
• Psal. 119. 105.
• 2 Pet. 1.
• 2 Sam. 23. 304
• Est lucere Pa∣rum est ardere parum, ardere et lucere perfe∣ctum. Vae n••bis filuxerim•••• tantum. Matth 5 1••
• Phil. 2 15 16
• John 1 John 15 •• John 6 32
• John 1. 9
• Rom. 12 3 1 Cor. 12 7 Eph. 4 7 1 Cor. 4 5 Luke 16 16 2 Thes. 3 ••.
• Rev. 21 23
• Rom. 12 3.
• Joh. 3. 34.
• Acts 6 Acts 13. 10. Rom. 15. 14.
• Plenitudo mul∣tiplex. 1 Alia fontis, alia va∣sis. 2. Alia ca∣pitis, alia mem∣bri. 3, Alia divinitatis, alia creaturae. 4. Alia maris alia fluminis. 5. Alia per∣maneus, alia tran••iens.
• 2 Cor. 11. 13.
• Matth. 13. 33
• Luke 5. 39. Jerem. 6. 16
• Daniel 7. 22.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Jude v. 11, 12, 13, 16
• 2 Pet. 2. 17, 18
• Jude v. 12
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Heri Sa. crilegi, hodie Sa∣crifici. Hierom.
• 2 Pet. 2. 22.
• Opus est juvene medico novo coe∣miterio, novo Theologo, novo inferno. Luth.
• Matth. 24, 29 Rev. 8. 10 and 9. 1
• Rev. 8 1••
• Rev. 9 ••
• sai••h 8▪ 19.
• Reas. 1.
• Rev. 21. 2••
• 1 John 1. 6
• Acts 26. 1••
• 3 Eph. 5. 13
• Rom. 7 9
• 4
• John 11. 9
• Prov. 4. 19.
• 5
• Psa. 104. 22, 2.
• Phil. 2. 12.
• John 12. 35.
• 6 Eccles. 11. 7
• Totus di••idera∣tissimus. Jun. Totus di••ideria. Montanus. Totus dulcedi∣nes. Heb.
• Applicat. 1
• Psal. 139. 7, 8, 9
• Col. 1, 13
• John 15: Psal, 104. 20.
• Phil. 89. 15
• Phil. 1. 19.
• Job 24. 17.
• 3
• John 12. 35
• Matth. 8. 12
• John 3. 19
• John 6 39
• 2 Pet. 1. 9.
• Obs••urus locus est, Tota vita Homints. Dies autem est p••••••a cognitio Christi, vel vita illa ••••∣ata p•••••• ha••••. Qamdiu ig••∣tur his sumus. Summ•• utilita∣tis est Scriptu∣ra. A••••••. in loc.
• •• Tim 4 13.
• Matth. 13 33.
• Luke 24 45
• Eph. 4, 11, 12, 13.
• Heb. 8 11
• Heb. 3 13 Heb. 10 24 Heb. 13 22
• Eph. 5 John 6 27
• John 16 26
• 1 John 2 26
• John 1 5 Luke 16 14 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Rom. 1 21 John 9 40 41
• Eph. 5 4
• John 12 21 John 1 35 & 40 compared.
• Matth. ••233
• Isa. 42 19 2••