before hath been declared Psal 95.6 Psal 100.2 3. Making and serving being correlatives his making and our serving being necessary dependents as the Apostle argues the same case in the point of redemption saying Ye are bought with a price c. therefore glorifie God with your bodies and spirits for they are his 1 Cor. 6.20 but of this anon in its place this I take to be the summe of the first Table of the Law and is written on the heart of the naturall man The other Branch or Table of the Law comprehended in these words Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self or whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye likewise unto them This also is written on the table of the heart of every man notwithstanding it be not written in Characters i. e. letters and syllables and become a positive law to them yet it s there and men doing as the Apostle phraseth it by nature the things contained in the law though they be in comparison of others without law are a law to themselves and hereby they shew the work of the law written in their hearts Rom. 2.14 15. which is a cleere demonstration of the truth hereof It is witnessed by our blessed Lord Jesus Mat. 22.37 38 39 40. that to love the Lord with all the heart with all the soul and with all the mind and to love ones neighbour as ones self on those two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets it is evident that this in its measure is effected by them who are said by nature to do the things contained in the law whence else springs all those stumblings upon a Deity and groping and feeling after a worship and religion suitable to what is apprehended of God and herein though the candle burn so dimme that the poor soul feels after this as they for the door of Lots house yet in the other part or table of the law they have much more cleerness of discovery of the things of a man accounted the morall virtues they declare with a broad day-light as it were that these are written there The whole amounting to this that those who live without the law i. e. the law as it was committed to writing and delivered by the hand of Moses according to the appointment of God yet in these God hath not left himself without witness but hath written on their hearts the same law for substance which he afterwards enlarged by the hand and administration of Moses and added this to the former because of transgression either to reduce the transgressor or to aggravate the transgression that sinne might be made exceeding sinfull And therefore God may justly proceed in judgement against the transgressions which are committed against him and his law as the Apostle argues he having left all men without excuse by giving them a light or candle in their heart by which they might see to read the things contained therein But if those who have onely the law of nature and do not by nature the things contained in the law be punishable and Gods proceedings therein justifiable as indeed it is as hath been often minded before of how much sorer punishment think we shall they be thought worthy who transgress under this additional declaration of the Will and Law of God committed to writing with those large annotations and marginal notes as it were this must needs be a great aggravation this new edition of the law must needs bring a further addition of guilt to the transgressours thereof Man or the children of men thus differenced and thus enlightned by the candle of the Lord in them are the subjects of the law in the first sense as it is called the law of works Rom. 3.27 or the old covenant In which consideration God hath concluded all under sin Rom. 3.9 and stopped every mouth and rendred all the world guilty before him by the sentence of the law considered as afore Rom. 3.19 forasmuch as the tenour of the law being this viz. Do and live and Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the law to do them finds no man able to perform it in all things for that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Rom. 3.23 the Spirit of God testifying that the law though in it self holy righteous and good yet was weak through the flesh Rom. 7.12 Rom. 8.23 So that what could not by it be effected was accomplished by the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.2 opposed to the law of sinne and death as the law of faith is to the law of works Rom. 3.27 Touching which Law as being the next branch in the distinction and the light accompanying it it will be necessary to speak The law of faith which is the second branch in the distinction is a law founded in God as in the fountain and as the former that is the law of works or of the first covenant proceeded from the Wisdom and Justice of God as being a just and equall thing that he should be served by those whom he made to serve him so this law of faith ownes it self to the mercifulness and goodness of the same God towards such as had forfeited all into the hand of justice for it had been a righteous thing with God to have taken vengeance upon the forfeiture The foundation of which law of Faith or second Covenant was laid in that word of Grace or rather on Christ in the promise that is the seed of the woman shall break the head of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 and is of as large extent as the former of works if we consider 1. The Object thereof 2. The Subject of it The Object is the Lord Jesus who is propounded in the promise as the repairer of the breach and the restorer of the paths to dwell in according to that testimony Psal 75.3 The earth and all the inhabitants of the earth are dissolved I beare up the pillars of it And thus by him all things consist Col. 1.17 holding forth a ground of return to God from whom man by the transgression was turned aside and through fear had hid himself Gen. 3.10 The Subject was the first man and in him all man-kind who were not onely privileged by this promise by being put into a possibility and capacity of being renewed again by repentance which condition the first covenant had in it for that left no roome for repentance but they were also hereby obliged to believe in him who was promised to break the Serpents head to destroy the destroyer and to lead captivity captive How farre the Law of faith may be said to be written on every mans heart as the former law of works is not given unto me to understand only this glimpse I have of it that it appears to have had an influence on the heart of man from the proposing of the promise aforesaid by those sacrifices which were offered
and answerable to the sentence the Law pronounceth will be the Excusation or Accusation of the person according to Rom. 2.15 Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their consciences also bearing witness and their thoughts meane while excusing or accusing one another As the Lamp Torch or Candle which the Lord lighted up in Man though it is become exceeding dim in comparison of what it was before the theef took it yet is not annihilated nor ceaseth to be for then man could not exist he should also cease to be So likewise the Law of God which at first was plainly to be read being written in man's heart is now not so obliterated or obscured but that there is yet left sufficient to render God righteous in his proceedings against the sons of men who hold that measure of the knowledge of God which is left in them in unrighteousness or who like not to retain God in their knowledge so farre as he is manifest in them or shewn unto them viz. in his eternall power and God-head which they not abiding in the acknowledgement of will render God righteous in his proceeding against them and leave them inexcusable before him Should there not be so much of the Law as to discover the actions which are done in the flesh to be good or evill and set the conscience upon the work of accusing or excusing where else should the Lord have a witness for himself in Men and how else should God be just in judging the world stopping every mouth and declaring his proceedings righteous in rendring to every man according to his deeds which time is called the day of the Revelation of the righteous judgement of God Rom. 2.5 6. Seeing then 't is the property of light to make manifest or discover and this at most is but science the exercise whereof is either direct or reflex respecting the time past present or to come wherein it hath a most ample latitude to expatiate it self according to the variety of objects whether within it or without it even to wonder and admiration yea and so farre as to me appears beyond my expression Neverthelesse it looks upon its Objects as it finds them though it makes manifest every thing within its sphear as to matter of fact yet it gives being to nothing it s all eye as I may so say it sees all that 's done but does nothing it neither likes nor dislikes approves nor disapproves but as it s in conjunction with a law and hath reflection upon it and thence proceeds the names of good and evill of lawfull and unlawfull thence also the arguing and redarguing the accusing and excusing and now science is become conscience By all which it doth appear that the candle of the Lord or the spirit of a man is a great light though but a candle yet it s of the Lords lighting up and though it fall beyond all utterance or conceiving short off the virtue which once it had having this blot upon its glory that whereas when it first came forth of the hands of him that formed it who is the Father of spirits Heb. 12.9 it was then conversant with him primarily and immediately yet since it hath been dimmed and well nigh extinguished as it was in the transgression it s now exercised mostly and principally about the things of the belly the things of a man the things of it self it hath therein a great ability in point of manifesting and discovery not only as they are obvious and apparent but as they are occult hidden searching out the secret things of the belly Nor is its ability only though most here but it is able to feel and seek after God his Creatour Acts 17.27 28. and in a great capacity of knowing much of him as such at least his eternall power and God-head Rom. 1.19 20. Yet its excellency is heightned and much advantaged by its concomitant the Law of its Creatour which as a glasse reflects and returns face for face and discovers not onely the face but the spots also that is in it Hence there is a necessity of considering somewhat further touching the Nature of the Law in conjunction with the light in every man by which will appeare what the light in every man can do and consequently what it cannot doe Forasmuch as together with this Light or Candle of the Lord there is a law impress'd on mansheart upon which this light reflects which doth as truly discover the quality of his actions as the light discovers the actions themselves And as Adam gave names to the creatures and as he named them so were they called even so doth the law in man's heart give names to all his actions according to the proper nature of their agreement or disagreement with the mind and will of God and this respects as well the secret thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 as the outward actions and in this respect the Law is called light in like forme of speaking as this is used Matth. 24.27 28. the Cup for the wine in the Cup. This law considered as it is in God is but one as in the fountain of wisdom and justice as the light in him is but one though diversly communicated and distributed yet he onely is the father of lights So in him the law is but one though differently exhibited and made known according to the variety of the subjects who are to be governed by it among whom man is chief As man is considered the subject of it so it is distinguished according to Scripture phrase into the Law of works Law of faith Rom. 3.27 both these are distinguished again into the Law written unwritten the subjects of the law under the first consideration i. e. of works though they have the law written on their hearts and do by nature things contained in the Law yet many of them not having the positive or written law as others had these are said to be without law as they indeed were in comparison of those to whom the outward positive written Law was added Gal. 3.19 Neverthelesse they were not positively without Law for then they could not have been guilty in any respect for its evident that where there is no law there is no transgression Rom. 4.15 but comparatively they were without a positive declared written Law according to that divine testimony Psal 147.19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgements unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgements they have not known them These having the law written upon their hearts and by the Candle of the Lord so farre legible as to evince God his eternall power and God-head leaving them therein without excuse Rom. 1.19 20. Manifesting that this God whose eternal power and God-head revealed in them or shewed unto them was to be loved with all the heart and all the minde and withall the soul implyed in that word as
in your hearts by faith so may those Scriptures be understood Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of glory and that 2 Cor. 13.5 Know you not that Christ is in you c. He is in the hearts of beleevers by his Spirit and dwells there by faith guiding and leading them directing and assisting them teaching and enabling them to perfect holiness in the fear of God not only becoming a Principle of life or quickning giving existence or being to the new-born but causing them to grow up in him and to perform the actions of spiritual life or of a living new-man Secondly as in the first Man there was not only life but light set up in him so the new-born babe in Christ the new Man is also endowed with light suitable to his life That quickning Spirit which gave him life gave him also light Ephes 5.14 Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light as is the Man so is his life and his light His birth is from above so is his life his light Eph. 1.17 18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him The eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints that he may answer the ends of God in his new Creation As formerly the spirit of a man the Candle of the Lord in man Prov. 20.27 acted its part under the first Covenant so the quickning Spirit of Christ or rather the Lord Jesus Christ that quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 and 2 Cor. 3.17 is the Sun of righteousness arising with healing in his wings Mal. 4.2 upon them which sate in darkness Isa 60.1 2. and in the region of the shadow of death Luk. 1.78 79. and Mat. 4.16 notwithstanding all their Torch or Candle-light Christ is their spiritual Light This living light or Light of life is it which beams into the souls of the new-born babes those little ones which beleeve in Christ giving them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 according to that testimony of the holy Spirit Psalm 36.9 With thee is the fountain of life in thy light shall we see light as far surpassing the Candle-light of mans spirit as the administration of the law of faith doth that of works This spiritual light as far excelling the former as the administration of the Covenant to which it relates doth excell that which was in-glorious in comparison thereof 2 Cor. 3.10 As man was not at first made for himself but to serve his Maker and had for that purpose the law of his Creatour written on his heart by which to this day he is accused or excused So neither is the new man or renewed man indued with the principle of life and light according to the image of him that created him for no other purpose but to exist barely and to be no other way serviceable to him that hath quickned and illuminated him But there is a law proper to this state of new life called by the Apostle Rom. 8.2 The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to which law subjection is to be yeelded by all that are born of the Spirit or from above Which law as the former viz. of works is written in the hearts of these Heb. 8.10 as that former on the hearts of those with this difference viz. that was written on the heart in Creation this in regeneration that in the first birth this in the new birth On which law of the Spirit of life the renewed principle of light which is in the renewed man acts as the candle in the man did or doth in the former capacity reflecting on it and receiving conviction and direction from that and as far as the new Covenant is above the old so far is this law of faith above that law of works Prov. 6.22 23. And this law of faith Rom. 3.27 or law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.2 or this better Covenant Heb. 8.6 doth excel and far surpass the first Covenant as being founded upon better promises than that was which are expressed most fully in Jeremy 31.33 34. and 32.40 Ezek. 36.25 26 27. and applyed Heb. 8.10 11 12. Wherein God undertakes by Covenant and promiseth to pardon iniquity transgression and sins and to remember them no more also to cleanse from all pollution and all filthiness that is to take away both the guilt and filth of sin to take away the old and give a new heart to take away the heart of stone and give an heart of flesh to put his laws in their inward parts and write it in their hearts to put his spirit within them and cause them to walk in his statutes and to keep his judgements and do them God will not turn from them and they shall not depart from him these are better promises than those upon which the first Covenant was established Heb. 8.6 For there was equitie and justice in that Covenant whose tenour was Do and live And cursed be every one which doth not continue in every thing that is written in the Law to do it Who can say God is unrighteous in taking vengeance upon those who abide not in all things fulfilling that Covenant considering the capacity wherein man stood when this Covenant was made with him at first when God made him upright But now a Person being left to wrestle it out and to toil in the remaining strength of his own spirit to fulfill it how impossible is it for him to attain to the fulfilling thereof not so much in respect of the faultiness or weakness of the law or first Covenant though it pleased the Lord to impute a faultiness thereunto Heb. 8.7 And the Apostle saith that it was weak Rom. 8.3 And if there had been a law given which could have given life verily righteousness had been or come by the law Gal. 3.21 Neither doth this lay an imputation upon the law which the same Apostle testifieth is holy just and good Rom. 7.12 For surely if there be any such person which abideth in all things that are written in the law to do them such an one shall finde the Lord just in his Covenant fulfilling to a title what on his part is promised therein The weakness therefore imputed to the law is not so much in respect of the law as in respect of the subjects thereof who through the weakness of the flesh cannot fulfill it according to Rom. 8.3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh c. The law is holy just and good but it can do no more then point out the duty and discover the transgression and pronounce sentence against the transgressor and this it doth not in weakness
but in power and is therein quick and powerful and mighty c. There 's no fleshly weakness in the pure and holy law of God it would and could convey life if man could fulfill it to a title if not then it must kill this is it whereunto it hath received its anointing and beyond which it must not pass and therefore the weakness is mans and lies properly at his door Yet forasmuch as it conveys not strength where it requires duty nor is founded upon any such promises as may be ground of hope in case of failing or non-performance of every title therefore it is found fault with and counted weak in that respect and through the appearance of a greater grace way is made for the bringing in a better hope a better Covenant stablished upon better promises as before This new and better Covenant is Jesus Christ in whom all the promises center as being the Yea and the Amen thereof 2 Cor. 1.20 and so he is called Isa 42.6 and 49.8 I will give thee for a Covenant of the people to establish the Earth agreeing with that in Psalm 75.3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved I bear up the Pillars thereof This Covenant consisting of these better promises is not yea and nay but in him they are yea 2 Cor. 1.19 ratified and confirmed by bloud yea by his own bloud in opposition to the bloud of Bulls and Goats by which the first was confirmed Heb. 9.18 19. but this by the eternal Spirit Heb. 9.14 in order to eternal salvation was confirmed by the bloud of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13.20 By all which as by very much more which might be instanced in infinitely transcends the former Especially if it be considered that he who confirms the Covenant by his own bloud rendring it thereby eternal and everlasting becomes also the Mediatour of this Covenant even of this better Covenant Heb. 8.6 Not only confirming ratifying making and well-ordering it in all things and sure as touching the promises themselves which are in him Yea and Amen as he was the Sacrifice and Propitiation but by becoming the Mediatour thereof to apply it to all the seed Rom. 4.16 working in them the conditions and qualifications which are requisite for the enjoying the good things which are contained therein 2 Sam. 23.5 If Repentance be a condition of this Covenant and required of the subjects thereof as indeed it is it shall be given them by the hand of this Mediatour Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and remission of sins If Faith be required as certainly it is the same hand conveyes it who is the Authour and the Finisher thereof Heb. 12.2 Phil. 1.29 If any other branch of obedience be requisite it is also undertaken for in this Covenant where it is said I will write my Laws in their hearts and lest when they are written there they should not be heeded nor followed it is further undertaken for that the spirit shall cause the subjects of this Covenant not only to remember the things which are required but shall cause them to walk therein Ezek. 36.27 Jer. 32.40 By leading them by exciting them by quickning strengthening confirming establishing guiding directing and assisting them keeping the feet of his Saints 1 Sam. 2.9 from stumbling sliding and falling in order to all which they are taught to pray daily against being led into temptation and then are promised also to be delivered out of it by him who himselfe also was tempted that he might succour them which are tempted And to the intent that they may not be misguided by their own spirit or any false spirit the Lord Jesus foreseeing there would be many false Christs false Apostles false Prophets false Spirits he committed his mind to writing to the intent also that in other ages Esay 8.19 20. thence forth they might try the spirits the Christs the Prophets the Apostles which pretend to come in his Name 1 Joh. 4.1 Rev. 2.2 Joh. 20.31 2 Joh. 10. As also therein much amplifying and enlarging their direction in point of obedience expressing and declaring more particularly that law of the new Covenant which is written in their heart more generally explaining and expounding his mind and will not only touching the matter but manner of their Obedience hereby ordering and guiding the steps of his Servants that their footsteps slide not Psal 119.9 105. Psal 17.4 5. This bespeaks the Condition of the new-Covenant and consequently the law of faith to be infinitely transcending the old-Covenant or law of works by how much this is more excellent than the former by so much also must of necessity the light be by which it is discerned as that intiles it self to Jesus who is the Covenant and Mediator of the Covenant so must the light also be referred to him who is therefore so frequently in the Scripture called the Light Esa 42.6 A Light of the Gentiles as well as the Covenant of the People Act. 13.47 I have set thee to be a Light to the Gentiles that thou shouldest be for Salvation unto the ends of the earth Christ is this Light in whose face the glory of God is to be seen according to that in the 2 Cor. 4.6 God shining into the heart the Light of the Knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ who as Mediator or one standing between 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus and Gal. 3.19 20. declares and makes forth that bosome-love of the Father which was from everlasting which no man could ever see by the light of his Candle 1 Cor. 2.9 10 11 14. The light of the Father is not to be discerned by any other Medium but as revealed by Christ In thy light shall we see light Psalm 36.9 2 Cor. 4.6 John 1.18 John 14.6 7 9. Nor can any person behold the light of the Father in Christ but by the Spirit of Christ John 14.26 and 16.13 14 15. and 1 Cor. 2.10 Nor can any person behold the light of the Father through Christ in the Spirit otherwise than by faith Heb. 11.1 6. John 17.7 8. John 8.56 Eph. 3.12 Rom. 5.2 so Abraham saw as Moses also did him who is invisible Heb. 11.27 The Spirit emptying the creature of all other mediums and producing this fruit of its own that is faith Gal. 5.22 by which it can look on Jesus and by him on the Father as they of old from the foot of the mercy-seat might behold him who was above the mercy-seat sitting between the wings of the cherubims Exod. 25. from the 17. to the 22. so that the light by which the regenerate or renewed man or the man in Christ comes to see the wonderful things of this law of faith or new Covenant and the mind of God therein is Christ Jesus himself who is both the Covenant and the light
the former to be asserted without proofe for that this Scripture doth not at all mention the little Light which is said to shine in the dark heart nor calls it the word of faith nor exhorts to take heed unto it as such nor useth no such phrase as by reading the words will appeare Further answer is not requisite to be given to it then to say It is an ungrounded and an unproved opinion Object But what may the Apostle intend by the word of faith which he saith is in the heart and in the mouth and infers to be a saying of Moses Deut 30.14 where the like words are used if it be not the light which shines in the dark heart what other thing can it be Answ It is evident that the Apostle treating about the Righteousnesse of the Law and the Righteousnesse of faith asserts in the 4th verse of the 10th of Rom. That Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth alledging that Moses describeth the Righteousnesse which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them Doe and live And this was according to the Tenour of the Law written on the heart of man from the Creation It was no new thing that he Commanded them but the same repeated which was engraven on their hearts before viz. That they should love the Lord and serve him which was the end of their Creation Of which much hath been spoken in the former part Alluding to this passage of Moses the Apostle useth the like forme of speech that as the Children of the first Covenant had the Law of that Covenant written not only on tables of stone but also on the fleshly tables of their hearts as appeares Rom. 2.15 So the Children of the new Covenant might have the Law of the new Covenant speaking to them in the like sort the heires of righteousnesse or the children of faith might heare the righteousnesse of faith speaking to them on this wise viz. Say not in thine heart who shall ascend into heaven to bring downe Christ from above or who shall descend into the deepe to bring up Christ againe from the dead But what saith it The word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart Quest Nigh thee nigh who Ans Even nigh unto thee in thy mouth and in thy heart Quest Whose mouth and whose heart Ans Not every mans mouth and every mans heart but in thy mouth and in thy heart who art a Beleever Quest What Word is that Ans The Word of Promise the Word of Faith which we preach Quest What Word is that which you preach Ans That which saith If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt beleeve in thine heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved This is the Word of faith which is in thy mouth and in thy heart and on this wise the Righteousnesse of faith speakes For with the heart man beleeveth to Righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation for the Scripture saith Whosoever beleeveth on him shall not be ashamed Thus the word of Faith or Law of Righteousnesse is near unto the Children of faith the heires of salvation even in their mouthes and in their hearts The Law of the new Covenant is a word nigh unto the Children of that Covenant even to as many as beleeve and are of the faith of Abraham the faith which is of the Operation of God And these not as in the schoole of Moses hearing the voyce which hath thundrings and earth-quakes saying doe and live or the man that doth them shall live in them and Cursed be every one that abideth not in every thing that is written in the Law to doe them But the word of Faith speaks on this wise This is the worke of God that ye beleeve on him whom he hath sent As those who are marryed to another Husband that they may bring forth fruit to God even fruites of righteousnesse which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God serving him without feare in righteousnesse and holinesse all the dayes of their lives who having restored their soules leades them in pathes of righteousnesse for his names sake being to them in stead of Broad Rivers and Streames writing his Law in their hearts putting his holy feare therein having Circumcised their hearts Calling them to his foote and keeping them there leading them though blinde in wayes they knew not who orders their goings that their footsteps slide not So that his Word is nigh them I say nigh unto those who are borne from above and are the Children of the new Covenant viz. in their heart and in their mouth even the word of faith of which the Scripture speakes But not so to every man nor is the little Light which shines in every dark heart this word of faith nor is this word of faith or Law of the new Covenant nigh to any person viz. in the mouth and in the heart but only to those that beleeve as the scope of this Scripture discovers and then and not till then is it a Scripture fulfilled on such and not on others who till they receive Life and Light through beleeving on the Lord Jesus are really destitute of both 1 John 5.12 He which hath the Sonne hath life and he which hath not the Sonne of God hath not life which is true of light also for it hath been acknowledged already that the light and life are one I shall now proceed to the third Assertion touching the light in every man viz. That it is the unction of the holy one c. Thirdly I finde it affirmed touching the little light in every man which shines in the dark heart That it is the unction of the holy one given of the Father whereby we need not to teach one another but as the anoynting teacheth us which is truth and no lye Reply Here being no Scripture cited for the proofe of this Assertion but certaine words of the Scripture made use of It doth appeare to me to have Reference to that passage of the Apostle 1 John 2.27 I know not what other place properly to referre them unto for proofe I shall therefore recite these words and compare them with what is here affirmed touching the light in every man or the little light which shineth in the dark heart viz. verse 20. But ye have an unction of the holy one and ye know all things Vers 27. But the anoynting which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anoynting teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye If this be the Scripture passage intended for proofe and beside this I know none other Then I affirme as of the former that it speaks not at all to the thing which is under consideration for how doth it appeare that the little light which
from God the former and maker of them which light they receive together with the principle of their naturall life which light and life as they are both one in the Author and fountain thereof John 1.4 So are they both one in the subject thereof As James Naylor himselfe acknowledgeth in his Answer to certaine Queries in a book called Strength in Weaknesse mentioned before Page 24. line the first Yet this little light in man is so far from being the powerfull word of faith which was in the beginning and by which all things were created I say it is so far from being it That it cannot discover who or what it is that 's spoken of the napkin and the graves cloathes It may see some of the visible things of God and there by somewhat of that which is invisible but him that is invisible they can never see till he manifest himself for no man ever saw him or shall see him since the transgression but as the word made flesh Jo 1.14 manifested in the flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 as revealed in the Sonne John 1.18 and by him manifested unto his Witnesses 1 John 1.2 according to that blessed testimony among others 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ which no man can see but as he receives another life John 3.3 and light for the life and the light are one For this very reason Because I have observed the enemy to hide himselfe in this bush and here to lay his Ambuscado's to take persons at unawares and to cast his net over them blundering and confounding by tearmes the Truth it selfe under shadowy expressions not obvious to the first view of every reader Because Christ is called the light of the world therefore where light is spoken of there Christ is applyed to be hee or if under these expressions The light is but one in all Are there more lights then one Shew any other light c. Not heeding that which is testifyed of the Word that while he was hid in God though he bore up the Pillars of all the Creation as being made by him and existing in him though he was light and life to all beings according to their capacities besparkling all with rayes or Candles as their maker and Creator yet untill a body was prepared him and he made flesh thereby becoming the seed of the Woman and fulfilling therein that promise which had been a word of faith to the Beleevers throughout all ages who all dyed in faith having not received the promise but saluted it as that which they saw and kissed it and rejoyced in it as Abraham did who saw him the Word that was to be made flesh and was glad I say till the word was thus imbodyed in flesh or considered as such and so to be seen and beleeved on there was no such thing as Christ a Light to the Gentiles other then in promise I say Christ as the Lords Christ or Christ the Lord according to those testimonies before mentioned in Luke 2.11.28.32 for as he was Manifested in the flesh he was thus stiled Of whom it is thus said He which hath the Sonne hath life and he which hath not the Sonne of God hath not life which is true of Light for the life and light are one Eph. 5.14 and promiscuously put one for another which light and life is no other way attained but by a persons being borne againe John 3.3 by receiving i.e. by beleeving on the Lord Jesus Christ For to as many as beleeved on him to them he gave power priviledge or prerogative to be made the Sons of God even to as many as beleeve in his name which were borne not of Bloud nor of the Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God John 1.12 13. The Children of the first Birth with their life and light cannot enter into the kingdome of God nay they cannot see the kingdome of God 1 Cor. 2.14 John 3.3.5 6. Except they be borne againe i. e. from above of the Spirit But the new-borne they which beleeving receive Christ or receive Christ by beleeving those are they whose hearts God purifyes by faith Act. 15.9 renewing them in the Spirit of their mind Eph. 4.23 by the washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the holy Spirit Tit. 3.5 6 7. which he shedds on them abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour justifying them by his grace that they may be made heires according to the hope of eternall life With this new-life comes in the true light of the renewed Man who till then is dead as in opposition to life and darke as in opposition to light notwithstanding he be both alive and enlightned by the fountaine of life as a branch of the naturall Creation 1 John 2.8 Eph. 2.5 5.8 John 1.3 4. Hitherto touching the first Assertion or Proposition and the proofe thereof Secondly It is further affirmed touching the little Light which shines in the dark heart viz. That it is the word of Faith the Apostle exhorted to take heed unto Rom. 10 6 7 8. 2d Reply I cannot with more clearenesse proceed in the Examination of what is here alledged from Rom. 10. Then set downe the words of the Scripture it selfe which is cited for proofe thereof that the Reader may have the clearer view thereof The words are these viz. But the Righteousnesse which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart Who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ downe from above or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ againe from the dead but what saith it the word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach Having presented the Reader with the sight of the Scripture produced for Evidence I need say no more then this It doth not prove the thing for which it is brought Let him that reads consider whether there be one word therein which mentions the little light which shines in the darke heart or calls that little light the word of Faith or exhorts to take heed thereunto as being it Now if the Scripture quoted for proofe proves not the thing as it plainely appeares it doth not Where is he that made the Chalenge to all the Citie of London to prove that any thing is by these men spoken or declared but what the Scriptures beare witnesse unto the same or if it be said that the Apostle meanes the little light which shines in the darke heart when he speakes of the word of faith which is nigh both in the mouth and heart I must say to this as before in the former Case Meanings are by some approved while as yet they are under Judgement and condemnation by others as I have already instanced in the Answer to the 4th Objection Inasmuch therefore as this appeares as
sensuall having not the Spirit therefore not the manifestation thereof for there can be no manifestation where the thing it selfe is not But the Spirit himselfe dividing to every man severally as he please gives forth his manifestation to every man for the profit and benefit of others for to that end were those manifestations set in the Church and given to severall Persons of the Church for the use and benefit of the whole and so is this Scripture to be understood i. e the manifestation of the Spirit to whatsoever it be and to whomsover it is given it is given them for edification and profit of others The Spirit it selfe may be given to a Person for himselfe to bear witnesse with him to be his evidence or Testimony in things partaining to himselfe Rom. 8.16.26 and in 1 Cor. 2.12 Now we have received the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God But when God is pleased to give to any Person the manifestation of his Spirit in a word of Wisedome a word of Knowledge in gifts of healing or workes of miracles tongues or Prophesies these and such as these are given for to profit others withall rather then the Persons themselves to whom they are distributed and so it is witnessed in the place before named which discovers the end of the Spirits manifestation viz. to profit withall The Fourth branch of what is asserted touching the little light which shines in the dark heart is next to be considered Fourthly I finde that it is affirmed touching the little light which shines in the dark heart That it is the sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well to take heed 2 Pet. 1.19 Reply To make tryall of the truth of what is affirmed it is necessary to examine the Scripture to see whether it intermeddle in this matter which it is brought to bear witnesse unto viz. the little light which shines in the dark heart of every man whether that be the sure word of Prophesie here mentioned the Scripture words are these We have also a sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye doe well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day starr arise in your hearts Knowing this First that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation For the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were mooved by the holy Spirit In this portion of Scripture it may apparrantly be discerned that the Apostle doth not say of the little light which shines in the dark heart that it 's the sure word of Prophesie For there is no such word in this Text as the little light shineing in the darke heart and therefore so to affirme and to bring this Scripture for proofe is to wrong the Scripture except it can be made forth that it ought to be so understood and that that is the true and proper meaning thereof which neverthelesse would fall under reproofe as centring in a meaning a thing by them so branded with reproach of which mention hath been made before But as it s not exprest in the words of the Apostle so it will be found not to be meant or intended as spoken of the little light shining in mans darke heart a being the sure word of Prophesie in this place mentioned for it 's evident the Apostle speaks of the word of Prophesie contained in the Scriptures as himselfe explaines himselfe as may appear by considering the words and the scope thereof For the Apostle Peter knowing that hee must shortly put of his Tabernacle as our Lord Jesus Christ had shewed him vers 14. endeavors the establishment of the scattered Saints in the doctrine of the power and comeing of our Lord Jesus Christ 15.16 and this he doth by two Arguments One drawne from the testimony of himselfe and others who were eye witnesses of his Majesty when he received from God the Father honour and glory when there came a voice to him from the excellent glory which voice they heard when they were with him on the holy Mount Matth. 17. the 8. first verses to which John might referre John 1.14 The other argument to establish and confirme them in the present truth i. e. the power and comeing of our Lord Jesus was drawne from the Testimony of the Prophets in the holy Scriptures and therefore adds vers 19.20 21. 19. We have also a more sure word of Prophesie whereunto you doe well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawne and the day-starr arise in your hearts 20. Knowing this first that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation 21. For the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man So that it is evident that the more sure word of Prophesie which he exhorts them to take heed unto is the prophesie of the Scripture or Scriptures of the Prophets which agree with and confirm this thing which he was an eye and ear witness of and had declared unto them viz. the power and comeing of our Lord Jesus to which agrees that which is testified In 1 Pet. 10 11 12. and more particularly that of Paul who confirmed his doctrine By the like Testimony Acts 26.22.23 witnessing both to small and great saying none other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come From whence it plainly appears that as the Apostle would confirme them in the truth of what he had testified touching the power and comeing of our Lord Jesus by telling them what he and others had both heard and seen when they were with him on the holy mount where they were eye-witnesses of his Majesty and heard the voice which gave testimony from heaven touching him Yet for further confirmation of them in this truth he referrs them to the concurrent testimony of the Prophets and to that more sure word of Prophesie contained in the holy Scriptures with this connexion Also we have also a more sure word of Prophesie besides my Testimony ye have the testimony of the Prophets in the words of their prophesie which he modestly proposeth as of more weight to them then his report might be unto them from what he had either heard or seen And therefore adds not only we have a sure word of Prophesie but a more sure word of Prophesie and strengthens that saying by what followes viz. Knowing that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit which Testimony being founded upon the Scriptures he might in relation to their beliefe thereof call it a more sure word as to them And if it be but remembred that he being an Apostle of the circumcision Gal. 2.7 8 as James also
was among whom the Prophesies of the Scriptures were of great esteem as appears by our Lord himselfe who so reports of them and sends them thither for Testimony of him John 5.39 To which Paul also appeales Acts 26.22 As Peter in like manner doth after the effusion of the holy Spirit In the 2. of the Acts 30. Acts 3.20 to 25. Acts 10.43 Considering him I say as an Apostle of the circumcision and these scattered strangers to whom he writes to be such who are called by James the twelve Tribes scattered abroad among whom the writings of the Prophets had been so greatly esteemed it was more to the believing Jewes who were in the dispertion to finde it written in the Scriptures of the Prophets beside what Peter the Apostle both heard and saw then if they had only received it upon his Evidence and Testimony Therefore it is an additionall and concurrent Testimony Also a more sure word of the Prophets As if he had said ye have not only my word though I have told you both what we have heard and were eye witnesses of But we have Also the Testimony of the Prophets whose word of Prophesie is by inspiration of God for holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit thus ye have for witnesse both theirs and ours I might Further add That the word of Prophesie whereunto the Apostle saith that they doe well to take heed as unto a light shining or as unto the shining of a light in a dark or squalid or filthy place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a metaphoricall speech As if he should say you shall doe well to attend to the more sure word of Prophesie as you would doe to the light of a Lamp or Torch in a darke and filthy place so doe to the word of Prophesie till the day dawne and the * day starr arise in your hearts till the day break and the shadowes fly away but if this may not be admitted to be the scope of the Apostle but that still it is insisted upon that the little light which shines in the dark heart of every man is the more sure word of Prophesie whereunto they doe well to take heed I would yet say a few words more in this case occasioned from those two terms in the Text i. e. More and Vntill * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 More is a word of comparison and must referre to some positive tearm to which it hath relation i. e. More sure then what What answers to this Question It must be sought in something going before it some other word of Testimony there is besides this in comparison of which this is a more sure word not the onely word where any person or thing is more excellent then another there is of necessity some other besides it selfe which hath its excellency also in the degree If therefore the light shineing in the dark heart of every man be a more sure word of Prophesie or witnesse then there is some other word of witnesse beside this little light which must supply the place to this comparison and so this light is not the onely word or witnesse but a more sure word in comparison of some other word beside it touching the other expression i. e. Vntill I have to say 2 The little light of which so often mention hath been made called the powerfull word of faith which was in the beginning by which all things were made called also the unction of the holy one the manifestation of the spirit given to every one the Kingdome of Christ in every one the Grace of God which hath appeared to all the eye of the Lord which runs too and froe in the earth with many more such like Epethites which are ascribed to it I say if the little light which shines in the darke heart of every man be all this or any of this which hath been spoken of it what is it lesse then the day starr it selfe or what can be more ascribed to him who is the bright morning starr himselfe then is ascribed to it which neverthelesse this Scripture intimates must have the precedency and this must give way to that which is to come when the day dawnes and the day starr it selfe appears or ariseth in the heart For this is to be given heed unto or attended unto Vntill he come whose right it is Vntill the day dawne and the day starr arise Vntill Which forme of speech viz. Vntill denotes in Scripture Phrase a cessation of the former at the ariseing and appearance of the latter Doe this till I come Mich 5 3. Micah 7.3.10 Matth. 2.13 Flee into Aegypt and be thou there untill I bring thee word which was done vers 19 20 21. When that which is perfect is come that which is in part shall be done away whether Prophesies they shall cease c. 1 Cor. 13.8.10.12 Let this little light be what it will be it is some such thing as is of use Vntill the day starr arise it hath its anointing with limitation it is but Vntill then let this be considered and applied by any Person in sobriety and tendernesse and let them say whether it doth not necessarily carry the truth and scope of this place to the Prophesies of the Scriptures which went before of Christ of whom it is said by the mouth of his Apostle Peter Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witnesse and particularly it is affirmed touching the Lord Jesus his power and comeing Acts 3.20 21. And he shall send Jesus Christ which before was preach unto you Whom the heaven must receive Vntill the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began for Moses truly said vers 22. Yea and all the Prophets from Samuel and those that follow after as many as have spoken have likewise fore-told of those dayes These words of the holy Prophets have been that which the holy Fathers the Believers in all ages have given attendance to or given heed unto as unto a light shineing in a dark place untill the day dawne and the day starr did arise according as is witnessed in the degree thereof so farr as to the accomplishing of that part of the performance of the words of the Prophets John 1.41 where Andrew saith to Simon we have found the Messiah which is by interpretation Christ and Phillip to Nathaniall vers 45. we have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write Jesus of Nazareth visiting his people with salvation as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began Luk. 1.71 Becomeing a day spring or Sun riseing upon them vers 78. after their long night or shadowy dispensation which neverthelesse was bespangled with variety of Prophesies all tending to this day starr or Sun-riseing to which they did well to take heed as unto a light shineing in a dark place Vntill he come