A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

2 For Light of Holiness, Ephes. 5.8. Light is clean, so is Holiness.

2 For Light of Holynesse, Ephes. 5.8. Light is clean, so is Holinesse.

3 For Comfort, Psalm 97.11.

4 For Glory; now Darkness is contrary to all these; now therefore to walk in the light, is to walk in the ways of Knowledge, Purity, Comfort, and Glory: But what is it to walk?

4 For Glory; now Darknesse is contrary to all these; now therefore to walk in the light, is to walk in the waies of Knowledge, Purity, Comfort, and Glory: But what is it to walk?

1 It implies, That a Christian course is a voluntary motion, a man is not said to walk that is pulled and haled, no motion more voluntary than walking.

2 It is a continued motion, not a step or two that makes a walk.

3 Walking gets ground, its motus progressivus, standing still rids no ground, but walking doth; so a Christian, he goes about Christian duties, not only voluntarily and continually, but he grows up therein from time to time; so that this sense of the Doctrine is thus much; To lead a Christian course, voluntarily, continually, and increasingly, is a sign of fellowship with God; now that such as thus walk have undoubted fellowship with God, appears, Ephes, 5.8. Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord, walk therefore as children of light, that is, children of God, for God is light, those that walk in truth and not in error and heresy, and in holy ways, they are children of God, Psalm 1.1, 2. the Law of God is the way of holiness and truth, and if he that walks in the way be blessed, then he hath fellowship with God (for in his fellowship stands all blessedness, Psal. 119.1, 2.)

3 Walking gets ground, its motus progressivus, standing still rids no ground, but walking doth; so a Christian, he goes about Christian duties, not only voluntarily and continually, but he growes up therein from time to time; so that this sense of the Doctrin is thus much; To lead a Christian course, voluntarily, continually, and increasingly, is a signe of fellowship with God; now that such as thus walk have undoubted fellowship with God, appears, Ephes, 5.8. Ye were sometimes darknesse, but now are ye light in the Lord, walk therefore as children of light, that is, children of God, for God is light, those that walk in truth and not in error and heresie, and in holy wayes, they are children of God, Psalm 1.1, 2. the Law of God is the way of holinesse and truth, and if he that walks in the way be blessed, then he hath fellowship with God (for in his fellowship stands all blessednesse, Psal. 119.1, 2.)

Reas. 1. From the insufficiency of our nature to walk in these ways, without the Spirit of God in us, and directing of us, Ezek. 36.27. Joh. 15.5. without Christ we can do nothing, Hos. 14.8. if any good fruit be growing in a Ch istan it is from the Spirit of God, otherwise the fruit of a carnal heart is carnal, Joh. 3.6. we cannot be holy without Gods Spirit, nor bring forth any good fruit.

Reas. 1. From the insufficiency of our nature to walk in these wayes, without the Spirit of God in us, and directing of us, Ezek. 36.27. Joh. 15.5. without Christ we can do nothing, Hos. 14.8. if any good fruit be growing in a Ch istan it is from the Spirit of God, otherwise the fruit of a carnal heart is carnal, Joh. 3.6. we cannot be holy without Gods Spirit, nor bring forth any good fruit.

2 As we cannot be good without his Spirit, so we cannot do good without him, 2 Cor. 3.5. and Christ thinks it an impossible thing for a Carnal man to speak well, Mat. 12.34.

Reas. 2. Such as do walk in the light have recovered the Image of God, now his Image stood in light Joh. 1.4. light of Knowledge and Holiness, Col. 3.10. Ephes 4.24. what fellowship Adam had with God in Paradise, the same have all such as walk in the ways of truth and holiness.

Reas. 2. Such as do walk in the light have recovered the Image of God, now his Image stood in light Joh. 1.4. light of Knowledge and Holinesse, Col. 3.10. Ephes 4.24. what fellowship Adam had with God in Paradise, the same have all such as walk in the waies of truth and holinesse.

Q Do you not see many true Christians that have true grace, and yet walk in much darkness, how then have they fellowship with God? Isa. 50.10. he that feareth the Lord, and hearkens to the voice of his Servants, that walks in darkness, and seeth no light, &c. which shows that a man may fear the Lord, and hearken to the voice of his Servants, and yet walk in darkness?

Q Do you not see many true Christians that have true grace, and yet walk in much darknesse, how then have they fellowship with God? Isa. 50.10. he that feareth the Lord, and hearkens to the voyce of his Servants, that walks in darknesse, and seeth no light, &c. which shews that a man may fear the Lord, and hearken to the voyce of his Servants, and yet walk in darknesse?

Ans. Such a one walks not in any gross ignorance, or error, and heresy, or in darkness of uncleanness, and profaneness, but he may walk in darkness of discomfort, and dishonour, and yet have true fellowship with God; no Christian walks more in light than they that walk most in darkness, those that walk most discouraged, they walk more carefully and fearfully, whereas many that walk in more comfort, walk more loosely, and scandalously.

Ans. Such a one walks not in any grosse ignorance, or error, and heresie, or in darnesse of uncleannesse, and prophanesse, but hee may walk in darknesse of discomfort, and dishonour, and yet have true fellowship with God; no Christian walks more in light than they that walk most in darknesse, those that walk most discouraged, they walk more carefully and fearfully, whereas many that walk in more comfort, walk more loosely, and scandalously.

Q. What need they walk in discomfort if they walk in the light? doth not all discomfort arise from ignorance, that they do not know their own estate, and Gods nature and love towards them, &c?

Ans. It is true, they walk in darkness, and that is the reason why they walk so uncomfortably, for if they were truly enlightened in the Nature of God and their own estate, they would have more comfort; but yet this is no affected ignorance, but of infirmity and weakness, and want of experience, it is one thing to be in a way, and another thing to walk in that way, such a man doth not walk in that darkness because it is not voluntary, he doth not desire to walk in darkness; neither is it continual, but he at length grows to be further enlightened.

Ans. It is true, they walk in darknesse, and that is the reason why they walk so uncomfortably, for if they were truly enlightned in the Nature of God and their own estate, they would have more comfort; but yet this is no affected ignorance, but of infirmity and weaknesse, and want of experience, it is one thing to be in a way, and another thing to walk in that way, such a man doth not walk in that darknesse because it is not voluntary, he doth not desire to walk in darknesse; neither is it continual, but he at length grows to be further enlightened.

Use 1. Of refutation of the Papists, that say we deny Works, and maintain the Doctrine of the Solifidians.

Ʋse 1. Of refutation of the Papists, that say we deny Works, and maintain the Doctrin of the Solifidians.

Answ. We disclaim all Works as any cause or merit of Justification, ⟨p. 31⟩Psalm 130.3. but we do not disclaim good Works in themselves, we do not discourage any from good Works, but encourage them thereunto; is this no encouragement to walk in the light, when we say such shall have fellowship with God, and be cleansed by the blood of Christ? these are strong motives to good works; we maintain good works (as the Apostle saith) for necessary uses, Tit. 3.13. What are these necessary uses?

Answ. We disclaime all Works as any cause or merit of Justification, ⟨p. 31⟩Psalm 130.3. but we do not disclaim good Works in themselves, we do not discourage any from good Works, but encourage them thereunto; is this no encouragement to walk in the light, when we say such shall have fellowship with God, and be cleansed by the blood of Christ? these are strong motives to good works; we maintain good works (as the Apostle saith) for necessary uses, Tit. 3.13. What are these necessary uses?