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. I. 1. Christ is to his Church, what the Sun is to the world.

Christ is set forth under many resemblan∣ces, of a Rock, a Spring, the Brasen Serpent, a Lamb, Morning Star, Bread, Water, Light, Garments, Gold, Pearl, of a King, Prophet, Priest, Husband, Head, Root, &c. because no one good thing can set out Christ fully, for all can set him out but partially: and because what ever good is in any or all of these, that is Christ and more, and better; and that when we behold and use any of these, we might be put in mind of Christ.

This is as High, and fit, and full a resem∣blance of him as any one thing can be, if I could as fitly and fully pursue it. Psal. 84. 10. The Lord God is a Sun and shield to his peo∣ple: But especially Christ is so often called, John 1. 12. Ego sum Lux mundi, what is that? But I am the Sun, I am the light of the world. John 1. 4. In him was life, which life was the light of men; and ver. 9. This is the true light

&c. John Baptist was a light, Iohn. 5. 35. burning and shining: but not The Light. A Star of the first magnitude, but not the true light; but Christ only the true Light, as the true Vine, Iohn 15. 1. That is, 1. The great Luminare, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 2. The Univer∣sall light, giving light to all that come into the world. 3. The Original uncreated light, that had his light from himselfe, all others from him. In him was light. Rev. 1. 16. and 10. 1. Christ is described, having his counte∣nance shining, as the Sun in his strength. And Rev. 12. 1. The Church in relation to him, and conjunction with him, cloathed with the Sun; that is, his Righteousnesse. Cant. 6. 10. faire as the Moon, cleare as the Sun; (that is,) full of Christ. The Moon is faire, not clear from spots when at ful; the Sun is al∣waies ful, alwaies clear. The Church hath not only her own imperfect, spotted Righteous∣nesse inherent to make her fair; but Christs perfect, Sunlike, imputed to make her clear without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.

In which regard, the Church is called up∣on, and encouraged to clear up, Isa. 60. 1. Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. The Church is the only Halo or Corona, on which this Sun makes his Impression. And the Church Militant and the Triumphant, are the two right Parelii, on either side of this Sun, near to him, and full of his Lustre and Glory.

This is a deep and rich Mine▪ I am digging

into, I dare not promise to bring up all the treasures hid in it; I shall shew you what I can get up, and your selves may go and get much more. No Artist can draw all the Suns light into one roome, were his house all Chrystall; no labour can get all the wa∣ter of the Sea into one vessel. Some abler Pen, or larger heart, may as a larger win∣dow, let in more of this light. I shall but draw the Curtain, and set open my narrow Casement, to let in what I have recei∣ved.

There is in ma∣ny things a likeness unlikeness between Christ and the Sun.

Notes

• Doct. 1.
• Parelius est re∣flexio radiorum solis in nube densa et aequa∣bili, quae ad la∣tus solis existit, et lanquam spe∣culum solis ra∣dios recipit, co∣loremque ejus inde r••fert.