The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mystery of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mysterie of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...
John Flavel 1630?–1691London: printed by M. White for Francis Tyton, 1681
[32], 595, [17] p. · 230k words · Wing F1169 · ESTC R20432
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. The aggravation of sin, by the abuse of Gospel light. Light is come, &c.
2. The aggravation of misery in proportion to that abuse of light, this is the condemnation.
3. The cause and occasion drawing men into this sin and misery, because their deeds were evil.
First, We have here the aggravation of sin by the abuse of Gospel Light, Light is come. By Light we are to understand 1the knowledge, discovery and manifestation of Christ, and Redemption by him in the Gospel. He is the Son of righteousness that arises in the Gospel upon the nations, Mal. 4. 1. When he came in the flesh, then did the day-spring from on high visit us, Luke 1. 78. And the light may be said to come two ways, either
First, In the means by which it is conveyed to us, or Secondly, in the efficacy of it upon our minds, when it actually shines into our souls. Light may come among a people in the means, and yet they actually remain in darkness all the while. As it is in nature, The sun may be up and a very glorious morning far advanced, whilst many thousands are drowsing upon their beds with their curtains drawn about them. Light in the means, we may call potential Light. Light in the mind we may call actual light. It▪ is but seldom that light comes in the means, and continues long among men, but some light must needs actually shine into their souls also: but this actual light is twofold,
1. Common and intellectual only to conviction, or
2. Special and efficacious light, bringing the foul to Christ, by real conversion.
called in
.—Gods shining into the heart. Where ever light comes in this last sense, it is impossible that such men should prefer darkness before it; but it may come in the means, yea, it may actually shine into the consciences of men by those means and convince them of their sins, and yet men may hate it, and choose darkness rather than light. And this is the sense of this place, Light was come in the Gospel dispensation among them, yea, it hath shined into many of their consciences, galled, and reproved them for sin, but they hated it, and had rather be without such a troublesome inmate. In a word, by the coming of light, we are here to understand a more clear and open manifestation of Christ by the Gospel than ever was made to the world before: for we are not to think that there was
⟨p. 553⟩
no light in the world till Christ came, and the Gospel was published in the world by the Apostles ministry. For Abraham saw Christ's day, John 8. 56. and all the faithful before Christ saw the promises (i. e.) their accomplishment in Christ afar off, Heb. 11. 13. for it was with Christ the Son of righteousness as it is with the natural Sun, which illuminates the hemisphere before it actually rises, or shows its body above the Horizon: but when it rises and shows it self, the light is much
clearer; so it was in this case. The greater therefore was their sin, that rebelled against it, and preferred darkness to light: this was their sin, with its fearful aggravation.
First, In the means by which it is conveyed to us, or Secondly, in the efficacy of it upon our minds, when it actually shines into our souls. Light may come among a people in the means, and yet they actually remain in darkness all the while. As it is in nature, The sun may be up and a very glorious morning far advanced, whilst many thousands are drouzing upon their beds with their curtains drawn about them. Light in the means, we may call potential Light. Light in the mind we may cali actual light. It▪ is but seldom that light comes in the means, and continues long among men, but some light must needs actually shine into their souls also: but this actual light is twofold,
1. Common and intellectual only to conviction, or
2. Special and efficacious light, bringing the foul to Christ, by real conversion.
call'd in 1 Cor. 4. 6.—Gods shining into the heart. Where ever light comes in this last sense, it is impossible that such men should prefer darkness before it; but it may come in the means, yea, it may actually shine into the consciences of men by those means and convince them of their sins, and yet men may hate it, and choose darkness rather than light. And this is the sense of this place, Light was come in the Gospel dispensation among them, yea, it hath shined into many of their consciences, gauled, and reproved them for sin, but they hated it, and had rather be without such a troublesome inmate. In a word, by the coming of light, we are here to understand a more clear and open manifestation of Christ by the Gospel than ever was made to the world before: for we are not to think that there was ⟨p. 553⟩no light in the world till Christ came, and the Gospel was published in the world by the Apostles ministry. For Abraham saw Christ's day, John 8. 56. and all the faithful before Christ saw the promises (i. e.) their accomplishment in Christ afar off, Heb. 11. 13. for it was with Christ the Son of righteousness as it is with the natural Sun, which illuminates the hemisphere before it actually rises, or shews its body above the Horizon: but when it rises and shews it self, the light is much 1clearer; so it was in this case. The greater therefore was their sin, that rebelled against it, and preferred darkness to light: this was their sin, with its fearful aggravation.
Secondly, In a most just proportion to this sin we have 1here the aggravated condemnation of them who sinned against such clear Gospel-light: This is the condemnation, this is the judgement of all judgements, the greatest and most intolerable judgement: a severer sentence of condemnation than ever did pass against any others that sinned in the times of ignorance and darkness: they that live and dye impenitent and unregenerate how few soever the means of salvation have been which they have enjoyed, must be condemned: yea, the Pagan world who have no more but natural light to help them, will be condemned by that light: but this is the condemnation (i. e.) such sinning as this is the cause of the greatest condemnation, and sorest punishment, as it's called, Heb. 10. 19.
Thirdly, The cause and occasion drawing men into this sin and misery: because their deeds were evil, (i. e.) the convincing 1light of truth put a great deal of vigour and activity into their Consciences which they could not endure. The accusations and condemnations of Conscience are very irksome and troublesome things to men: to avoid this they were willing to be ignorant. An enlightened Conscience gives an interruption also unto men in their sinful courses and pleasures: they cannot sin at so easy a rate in the light as they did in darkness; and this made them hate the light as a very troublesome thing to them. Thus you see what was the sin, and what the punishment, and what the cause of both.
Thirdly, The cause and occasion drawing men into this sin and misery: because their deeds were evil, (i. e.) the convincing 1light of truth put a great deal of vigour and activity into their Consciences which they could not endure. The accusations and condemnations of Conscience are very irksome and troublesome things to men: to avoid this they were willing to be ignorant. An enlightned Conscience gives an interruption also unto men in their sinful courses and pleasures: they cannot sin at so easie a rate in the light as they did in darkness; and this made them hate the light as a very troublesom thing to them. Thus you see what was the sin, and what the punishment, and what the cause of both.
That the greater and clearer the light is, under which the impenitent and unregenerate do live in this world; by so much greater 1and heavier will their condemnation and misery be in the world to come.
Mat. 11. 21, 22. Woe unto thee Chorazin, woe unto thee Bethsaida; for is the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes: but I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement than for you. Two things require explication, in the doctrinal part of this point.
Mat. 11. 21, 22. Wo unto thee Chorazin, woe unto thee Bethsaida; for is the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes: but I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement than for you. Two things require explication, in the doctrinal part of this point.
First, We will enquire into the grounds and reasons why greater and clearer light greatens and aggravates proportionably 1the sins that are committed under it: and it will appear that it doth so upon divers accounts.
First, All light (especially Evangelical-light) is a great preservative from sin; and an excellent means to prevent it: 'tis the property of light to inform the judgement and rectify the mistakes and errors of it, and thereby to give check to the affections in the pursuit of sinful designs and courses: 'tis a plain case, that many men would never do as they do if their understandings were better informed, 1 Cor. 2. 8. Which none of the Princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: It was want of light and better information which drew them under that horrid and unparalleled guilt. Our Saviour also supposes in the place before cited: that if Tyre and Sidon had enjoyed the same light and means of grace that Chorazin and Bethsaida did; they would never have been so sinful as they were: ⟨p. 555⟩light discovers danger, and thereby overawes and stops men from proceeding farther in those paths and courses that will run them into it.
First, All light (especially Evangelical-light) is a great preservative from sin; and an excellent means to prevent it: 'tis the property of light to inform the judgement and rectifie the mistakes and errors of it, and thereby to give check to the affections in the pursuit of sinful designs and courses: 'tis a plain case, that many men would never do as they do if their understandings were better informed, 1 Cor. 2. 8. Which none of the Princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: It was want of light and better information which drew them under that horrid and unparallel'd guilt. Our Saviour also supposes in the place before cited: that if Tyre and Sidon had enjoyed the same light and means of grace that Chorazin and Bethsaida did; they would never have been so sinful as they were: ⟨p. 555⟩light discovers danger, and thereby overaws and stops men from proceeding farther in those paths and courses that will run them into it.
Secondly, sinning under and against the light, supposes and involves in it a greater contempt and despite of Gods authority than sinning in ignorance and darkness doth: every man that breaks the law of God doth not in the same degree despise and slight the authority of the Law maker: but when a man hath light to discover the evil and danger of what he doth, and yet will dare to do it; what is this but the treading of Gods authority under foot? the casting of his word behind our backs? Wilful sinning is a despiteful sinning against God, Heb. 10. 26. it argues a low and vile esteem of the law of God which is reverent and holy: and by so much the more it maketh sin to be exceeding sinful.
Secondly, sinning under and against the light, supposes and involves in it a greater contempt and despight of Gods authority than sinning in ignorance and darkness doth: every man that breaks the law of God doth not in the same degree despise and slight the authority of the Law maker: but when a man hath light to discover the evil and danger of what he doth, and yet will dare to do it; what is this but the treading of Gods authority under foot? the casting of his word behind our backs? Wilfull sinning is a despightful sinning against God, Heb. 10. 26. it argues a low and vile esteem of the law of God which is reverent and holy: and by so much the more it maketh sin to be exceeding sinful.
Thirdly, Sinning under, and against the light admits not of those excuses and pleas to extenuate the offence, which sins of pure ignorance do. Those that live without the sound of the Gospel may say, Lord, we never heard of Christ and the great redemption wrought by him: if we had, we would never have lived and acted as we did: and therefore Christ saith, Joh. 15. 22. If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin, but now they have no cloak for their sin.
The meaning is, that if the Gospel-light had not shined among them, their sin had not been of that deep guilt that now it is: for now it is so foul and heinous by reason of the light under, and against which it is committed, that they have no pretence or excuse to extenuate or mitigate it.
Fourthly, Evangelical light is a very rich favour and mercy of God to men: one of the choicest gifts bestowed upon the Nations of the world; and therefore it's said, Psal. 147. 19, 20. He showeth 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 Other Nations have Corn and Wine, Gold and Silver, abundance of earthly delights and pleasures: but they have not a beam of heavenly light shining upon them. We may account this mercy small, but God who is best able to value the worth of it, accounts it great, Hos. 8. 12. I have written unto them the great things of my Law. Christ reckoned Capernaum to be exalted ⟨p. 556⟩unto Heaven by the Ministry of the Gospel in that place. Now the greater the mercy is which the light of truth brings with it, by so much the more horrid and heinous must the abusing and despising of it be.
Fourthly, Evangelical light is a very rich favour and mercy of God to men: one of the choicest gifts bestowed upon the Nations of the world; and therefore it's said, 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 Other Nations have Corn and Wine, Gold and Silver, abundance of earthly delights and pleasures: but they have not a beam of heavenly light shining upon them. We may account this mercy small, but God who is best able to value the worth of it, accounts it great, Hos. 8. 12. I have written unto them the great things of my Law. Christ reckoned Capernaum to be exalted ⟨p. 556⟩unto Heaven by the Ministry of the Gospel in that place. Now the greater the mercy is which the light of truth brings with it, by so much the more horrid and heinous must the abusing and despising of it be.
