The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

CHAP. II. Of the first Work of the Spirit, Illumination.

When the Spirit of God, Gen. 1.2. moved (hovered or ^*brooded) upon the Deep, which was covered with darkness, the first particular work he formed out of that rude, great and general heap, was Light, ver. 3. So the first thing the same Spirit worketh in the new Creature is Light; God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, &c. 2 Cor. 4.6. Paul was sent to the Gentiles, to open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, Acts 26.18. Illumination and Conviction seem to differ as the cause and effect: it is by his Light that we do convince. Light brings in such reason, proof, demonstration, that a man cannot evade the strength, cannot reply, cannot except, then he must sit down convinced. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light [or all things when they are reproved of the Light, as the old translation, and the Geneva translation, so join [Greek or Hebrew] with [Greek or Hebrew]] for whatsoever doth make manifest is Light, Ephes. 5.13. Make this manifest to me, saith the man in dispute, I will yield. Light is brought in, and that maketh manifest. The Notion or Opinion that the Angel of Laodicea had of himself, did differ much from that Opinion Christ had of him: I am rich and want nothing, saith the proud Angel, Rev. 3.17. but I know thou art poor and miserable, naked, &c. But how shall this luke-warm Angel be convinced of it? Let him but go buy eye-salve of Christ (Gospel price) and anoint his eyes, that he may see himself, then he will be convinced who speak truest, Christ or he.