flesh and a curse too to save sinners is Do they think that he was a meer light without a visible being and do they think that he saves not by suffering but by lightning and with such a light that all have too when we know the greatest part of the world have no other light but the rationall understanding faculties of their own souls which is able to understand something of God by the things which he hath made and directs to do the things contained in the Law and said to be a Law to themselves c. But is this little spark of reason subject to error and vanity Christ in them the Redeemer which when put in competition with Christ indeed and the Christian profession of him is called darknesse and a state of alienation from his life through the ignorance that is in them as hath been proved Truely I fear that they believe no other Christ then the rational soul of every man accounting that the pure nature they talk of and the eternall word uncreate the same with God and that every one is Christ in flesh And although I know they will lie as I have made it manifest yet they will very hardly in plain terms deny this which I suspect they hold And we should have heard of many Christs amongst us before now but for that Act against blasphemy which they cannot get beyond But I proceed The Lord Jesus saith of John that he was a burning and a shining light which the Jewes rejoyced in for a season Joh. 5.35 which is to be understood of his ministry as sent of God to be the Prophet of the most highest to prepare his wayes and to give knowledge of salvation to his people c. and to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide their feet in the way of peace Luk. 1.76 77 79. So also Christ saith of his Disciples and followers that they are the light of the world and commands them so to improve it that others may be enlightened by them that they may glorifie God Matth. 5.14 15 16. And yet all this light is to be understood of an outward dispensation by words or works to the world So again Christ is called the light of the world Joh. 8.12 and he saith I am come a light into the world that whosoever believes in me should not abide in darknesse Joh. 12.46 Adde to this Joh. 3.19 His actual coming into the world in person to exercise his ministry and the dispensation of his mighty works is to be understood of such a light that never was in the world before which was visible and convincing to men as rationall and sensible creatures and therefore those that did not receive him and own his person in order to salvation had no cloak for their sin but were left without all excuse he doing as never any did this visible light was the condemnation of those that refused it And hence it is that Christ speaking of his death to the people said unto them Yet a little while is the light with you walk while you have the light lest darknesse come upon you while ye have the light believe in the light that is in his person and name which is called light for it was the same that Christ said should be lifted up signifying what death he should die and so the people understood it as appears Joh. 12.34 35 36. c. And in the same sense it was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah 9.1 2. The Land of Zebulun and Naphtali by the way of the sea beyond Jordan Galilee of the Gentiles The people which sate in darknesse saw a great light and to them which sate in the Region and shadow of death light is sprung up Then to this compare Matth. 4.12 to the 17. there you may see how the Evangelist applies that prophesie to the very person and preaching of Christ When Jesus heard that John was cast in prison he knew his work was ended he lest Nazareth and came and dwelt at Capernaum which is upon the sea coasts in the border of Zebulun and Naphtali that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Isaias repeating the same words and then observes That from that very time Jesus began to preach and to say Repent for the Kingdome of heaven is at hand and this Jesus thus preaching is the fulfilling of that prophesie By these quotations it is evident as the light of the Sun that his personall ministry and mighty works his Authority commands upon the earth in fitting and sending others to preach externally is called the light of the world which all that refused and rejected was their condemnation And that those that believed and received should not abide in darknesse intimating that all those that received not this visible ministry acted by his own person and Authority were in and under darknesse and condemnation and we know what he began was carryed on by his Authority and commission in the Apostolicall Churches and hath made his promise to be with his Church in giving them Pastors and Teachers and his presence to the end Compare Matth. 28.18 19. with Ephes 4.12 13. Now then I say if the visible ministry of Christ in the dayes of Christ and his Apostles upon earth were the light of the world then it is still though not in the same persons yet in their Authority and writings transmitted and derived from them the Churches of the believing Gentiles being built upon the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ the chief corner-stone all the building from the beginning to the end is compleated by his Authority and powerfull working in the use of those means himself hath appointed and revealed once you see it was so it remains so still unless these bold pretenders to an immediate light of Christ to all men in the world can clearly prove by the Authority of Scripture the time and age when this light of the world was repealed if they cannot I hope their lying mouthes will be stopped and that they will cease deceiving themselves and others Again if Christ was the light of the world by coming into the world in person in the dayes of his flesh as he was the Son of man and that great Prophet Moses spake of to our fathers as saith Peter Act. 3.21 A Prophet shall the Lord raise up unto you of your brethren him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you And it shall come to passe that every soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed and by this Prophet he understands Jesus the Son of God whom God raised and sent him to blesse the Jewes first in turning them from their iniquities vers 26. I say if Christ was thus the light of the world as I have cleared and which our greatest Adversaries will be forced to confesse if there be any light in them then it will follow 1. That John 1.9 is to be
of the Spirit unto salvation may have some footing from that promise and so to the Gentiles But this reacheth not the thing in hand and is no more proper to them than to the weakest Christian that is renewed by the Spirit of Grace In the most proper sense that promise was fulfilled as Peter witnesseth Act. 2.16 above 1600. years ago but these say they witnesse it fulfilling now but they want not for boldnesse to say any thing they have a mind unto Next they bid me shew that Scripture that speaks of a written word or that calls it the savour of life quick and powerfull or that attributes any such things unto it as thou saist but if you cannot stop thy mouth Answ Most absurd is their first What is the Scriptures but words from the Lord committed unto writing and every sentence of Scripture is a written word What is Scripture but the writings of the prophets and Apostles and what did they write but words and what were those words but the Inspirations of God all Scriptures are given by Inspiration of God as hath been quoted again and again And what will they make of that promise themselves quote Joel 2. is not that a written word and all their other quotations The Apostles were the savour of death to some 2 Cor. and life to others 2 Cor. 2.16 But how was this but as they were Ministers of the Word for they were not as many which corrupt the word c. and the word is quick and powerfull Heb. 4.12 It 's called the immortall seed the power of God to salvation Rom. 1.16 David tells us Thy word hath quickned me and was light to his feet the rejoycing of his heart his heritage for ever and giveth light and understanding to the simple Psal 119.130 He witnesseth that Gods word is pure therefore he loved it ver 140. It is endlesse to recount the Epithites and honour and glorious esteeme the servants of God have alwayes had of the word as it is written and they that despise this word shall be destroyed Prov. 13.13 And let these wormes that are all along diminishing and detracting from the power and majesty of the Scriptures beware lest being given over to despise the word they be polluted in their own gifts and follow the imaginations of their own deluded hearts to their utter ruine if God by his grace prevent it not Whereas in their first Answer to the Question in hand they talk of yeelding faithfull obedience to the righteous and perfect Law of God in the heart in my reply I told them that they build all upon the light within and the Law of God writ in the heart and the Inspirations of Christ and so make the holy Scriptures superfluous and of no use whereas the writing of Gods Law in the heart is a blessing of the Covenant promised to the use of those wayes and means God hath given to the Church in order to that end his word and ordinances the Instrumentall cause of this blessing of grace to whom he will the writing of his Law in the heart being but the same with a new heart regenerate and quickned by a Divine power of speciall grace which softens the hard uncircumcised heart of man and makes it pliable to receive the Words impression as standing willing and ready to believe and do what Jesus Christ in the Rule of his word would have him to do being made willing in the day of his power upon the heart to yeeld faithfull obedience to all the Lawes and Ordinances of Christ revealed in his holy word And to jumble things together as they by making the light and Inspirations of Christ and Law in the heart all one are most confused notions of things that differ as much as the efficient and the effect the giver and the gift the will of God in commanding and the blessing of God overruling the subject to a willing obedience but let them tell us where the Scriptures speak of a righteous perfect Law of God in the heart either in all men or in some and who they are that have such a Law written within which of the Prophets or Apostles gives the discovery of a perfect Law in the heart unto which all our obedience is to terminate as the only Rule if they cannot produce Scripture Authority for it let them confesse it a Law of their own fancie as to the end they intend it for But they say in their last Answer to this in hand Vpon the Prophets and Apostles we build and Christ Jesus who hath enlightned every one that comes into the world is the chief corner stone though he be set at nought by thee and the builders who would set the Scriptures in his place making them the enlightener and calls his light but an effect of them which light was before Scripture was and will lead them that walk in it out of darknesse to the knowledge of God and eternall life Joh. 8.12 But this light is not received into the mind and head from the Scripture neither can it be blotted out as thou hast said but it comes from Christ who is the glory of his people Israel and the light of the Gentiles such as thou call'st pagans who shall be excused when thou and all that oppose the light of Christ shall be condemned though you can talk of Christ as Bedeemer and Mediator of his Spirit and regenerating Grace all which you are strangers to c. Answ Let the indifferent Reader judge how true it is that they build upon the Prophets and Apostles while they have and are denying the holy Scriptures to be a perfect Rule of faith and obedience and affirme that the light of Christ is not received by the Scriptures and yet they say upon the Prophets and Apostles they build and is not the writings of the Prophets and Apostles that Scripture that they exclude from receiving the light of Christ in their minds and heads What Prophets and Apostles is the Church built upon if not upon those that have declared the mind of God and Jesus Christ in the holy Scriptures And shall any think that the Scriptures oppose the light of Christ because they are written to make the clear discovery of Christ as Redeemer and without which not any can know him to any such end But it 's charged upon me to be a fault in making the Scripture an enlightener and calls Christs light but an effect of them Answer whether I used those terms I am not sure this I said and cleared my self in that the Scriptures simply considered of themselves did not enlighten nor convert as an efficient cause thereof but were appointed and designed of God to be the only Instrument and Vessel of his Spirit to conveigh the knowledge of Christ as Redeemer to lost man and without them Christ is not known at all to any saving ends or to this purpose I spake I have proved that the Word doth give light to
the simple and David acknowledges it to be both a Lamp and a light Psal 119. Besides whatsoever makes manifest is light but the Scripture doth make manifest what Christ is and what he hath done and suffered and for whom and for what ends So also they make manifest what sin is and the wages thereof what holinesse and true Worship of God is and how God will be served by all that shall be saved therefore the Scriptures are a true light If the Spirit of Christ doth give forth light to men then the Scriptures are a light to enlighten men because holy men writ them as they were moved and inspired by the holy Ghost and all Scripture were given by Inspiration of God and therefore deny the light of Scriptures and deny the light of the Spirit for what the Scripture saith the Spirit saith they being the Revelations and Inspirations of the Spirit And what may we think of these seducers that under pretence of a light within and a perfect Law of God in the heart and the Revelations of Christ in them condemn me for making the Revelations and Inspirations of God in Scripture a perfect Rule of faith and obedience but we are sure the Law of God which Scriptures teach is perfect holy just and good and a sure word and the Inspirations of God contained in Scriptures are true as God himself but as for that Law and Spirit that cannot stand unlesse the Scriptures fall it is easie to discern from whence it is But say they this light is not received from the Scripture but from Christ c. Answ The light of Scripture is the light of Christ as also the Scripture Ministry by which alone Christ became a light to the Gentiles and in that Christ hath appointed a Ministry of men and given them gifts and Authority to preach the Gospell unto the Gentiles and by his blessing hath made them successefull to turn them from darknesse to light as in the Apostles age especially Thus and no otherwise is he sent to be a light unto the Gentiles for how can any believe in him of whom they never heard as hath been spoke to already and what ever is wrought by his Authority in the use of means is all one with being wrought by Christ himself to any that are sober And hence those distinctions of mine are grounded of Christ more strictly and immediately and of Christ more comprehensive and in a mediate sense as he hath made the promise of his presence and blessing to those Ministers of the Gospell that teach and administer in the Church all things whatsoever Christ hath commanded to be done Matth. 28.19 He that walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks will be with the Scripture Ministry to the end of the World untill the whole be gathered and united to their head and made compleat in him They say this light of Christ cannot be blotted out as thou sayst That which I said was a supposition thus Suppose that all the light of Christ as Redeemer which you from time to time have received from the use of Scriptures Ministry Education Discourse were blotted out of your minds and heads tell me what you could know of Christ as he is designed of God to redeeme lost man and how the work of Redemption is wrought more then the rude heathen that never heard of his name All that they Answer to this is That the light cannot be blotted out as thou saist But what light is that which cannot be blotted out Say they The light of Christ that leads out of darknesse to the knowledge of God to eternall life though they have not the use of Scriptures this light is not received into the mind and head from the Scripture neither cannot be blotted out but it comes from Christ the light of the Gentiles such as thou callest Heathens who many of them shew the work of the Law in their hearts and shall be excused when thou and all that oppose the light of Christ shall be condemned Christians look about you for the Devil was never so bold as now and I think there is more of the Devil in so few lines then ever were writ by man before consider them well I assure you it 's all their own Was ever such an abominable thing asserted amongst Christians The light of Christ that leads out of darknesse to the knowledge of God to eternall life is not received in the mind from the Scripture but from Christ the light of the Gentiles As if the Scriptures were opposed to the light of Christ or of no use to reveal Christ as Redeemer to the salvation of lost man Christians you see now their Answer what it is to the Question namely That the light of Christ without the use of Scripture leads out of darknesse to the knowledge of God to eternall life c. even to the Gentiles that never heard of Christ nor believe in him to salvation But if this be true to what end did Christ come into the world and lay down his life to be a ransome for many and why did he shed his blood for many for remission of sins Christs death and resurrection is all in vain for all the world from the beginning have had this kind of light shewing the work of the law in their hearts and do by nature the things contained in the Law 1. But let them prove that this work of the Law is the light of Christ that Simeon prophesied of and the Prophets and that the Apostles witnessed fulfilled by their preaching and writings 2. And let them prove that the work of the Law in their hearts leads out of darknesse to eternall life The Scriptures say the contrary By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified nor is there any law that can give life 3. And let them prove that the work of the Law in the hearts of unbelieving Gentiles is a spirituall blesseing of the new Covenant Heb. 8. which the Apostle applyed to the believing Church so did the Prophets of old time Jer. 31. If they cannot prove these three things let shame stop their lying mouths Jesus Christ as he was promised to be a light of the Gentiles Isai 42.6 7. is to be understood of a peculiar spirituall light Christ was given for such a light to the Gentiles as should open the blind eyes and bring out the Prisoners from the Prison and them that sit in darknesse in the Regions and shadow of death out of the Prison house to guide their feet in the way of peace Luk. 1. Which accordingly was fulfilled in the Apostles age but how not by Christ immediately but by Christs Authority who appointed men and furnished them with gifts and abilities to preach the Gospell unto them and opened their hearts to receive it and become Christians in profession and truth And in that they were converted and enlightened by means himself appointed is all one by being converted and enlightened