A44431:65
The almost Christian discovered, in some sermons on Acts 26, 28 with a blow…
The almost Christian discovered, in some sermons on Acts 26, 28 with a blow at profaneness / by the R.R. Ezekiel Hopkins, late Lord Bishop of London-Derry ; to which is added the upright Christian discovered, gathered out of the judicious treatises of William Bates, D.D.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1693
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.
First, In that it is but Lumen sterile, a barren light; Illumination that is saving, is not only Light, but influence too.
As the Light of the Sun doth not serve only to paint the World, and varnish over the Beauty and Variety of several Creatures that are in it; but carries in it a grateful heat and cherishing influence, which operates into them, and refresheth them; and as the Light discovers their Beauty, so these Influences increase it: So saving Illumination, not only illustrates the Soul by its Light; but likewise, by the Congenialness of its Influences, nourishes the Soul, draws Sap into it, and Fruit from it. Such is not the Illumination of an unregenerate Man; it is but a barren Light, and only serves to paint his Understanding, and hath no influence on it to make the Soul grow in Grace, and bring forth the Fruits of Holiness, to the Praise of God.
That Illumination that is saving is transforming, 2 Cor. 3.18. We all, as in a Glass, behold the Glory of the Lord, and are changed into the same Image, &c. If a Beam of the Sun falls upon a Looking-Glass, it not only makes it glitter with a glorious ⟨p. 27⟩Light, but it represents the very Image of the Sun in the Glass; but let it beat never so clearly and strongly upon a Mud-Wall, though it enlightens it, yet it doth not thereby leave its Image upon it. So truly Illumination, that is saving, doth not only irradiate, but transform. If you look upon the Sun, when shining in its strength, the Light thereof will imprint the very Shape and Image of the Sun upon your Eye; and look where you will, still you retain the appearance of the Sun before you: So every sight that a true Christian hath of the Sun of Righteousness, will make as it were another Sun in his Soul. But now the Illumination of wicked Men doth only enlighten, not change them; their Understandings may be irradiated with glorious Discoveries of God, Christ, and the Things of Heaven; but this doth not transform them into the Image and Likeness of those Things. The Illumination of godly Men and true Christians, is like the Light which breaks through the Air, and turns every vast Body throughout the World all into Light. It is with wicked, unregenerate Men, as with those that lie long in the Sun-shine; which though it enlightens them, yet doth