1. There is a change wrought in the Understanding: §1Before, there was ignorance, darkness was upon the face of the deep, but now there is light, Eph. 5.8. Now ye are light in the Lord. The first work God made was light; so it is in the new Creation; he who is savingly called, saith as that man in the Gospel, John 9.25. Whereas I was blind, now I see. He sees that evil in sin, and excellency in the ways of God, as he never saw before. Indeed this light which the blessed spirit brings may well be called [Greek or Hebrew] ▪ a marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2 9. That ⟨p. 163⟩ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you into his marvellous light1. It is a marvellous light in six respects, 1. Because it is strangely conveyed; it doth not come from the Celestial Orbs, where the Planets are, but from the Sun of Righteousness. 2. It is marvellous in the effect: This light doth that which no other light can, it makes a man see himself blind. 3. It i• a marvellous light, because it is more penetrating; other light may shine upon the face, this light shines upon the heart, and enlightens the Conscience, 2 Cor. 4.6.— 4. It is a marvellous light, because it sets those that have it a marvelling: they marvel at themselves, how they could be contented so long without it; they marvel that their eyes should be opened, and not others; they marvel that notwithstanding they hated and opposed this light, yet it should shine in the Firmament of their souls. This is that the Saints will stand wondering at to all eternity. 5. It is a marvellous light, because it is more virtual than any other; it doth not only enlighten, but quicken, it makes alive those who were dead in trespasses and sins; therefore it is elegantly called Lumen vita, the light of life, John 8.12.— 6. It is a marvellous light, because it is the beginning of the everlasting light. The light of grace is the morning-star which ushers in the Sun-light of glory.
1. There is a change wrought in the Vnderstanding: §1Before, there was ignorance, darkness was upon the face of the deep, but now there is light, Eph. 5.8. Now ye are light in the Lord. The first work God made was light; so it is in the new Creation; he who is savingly called, saith as that man in the Gospel, Iohn 9.25. Whereas I was blind, now I see. He sees that evil in sin, and excellenty in the ways of God, as he never saw before. Indeed this light which the blessed spirit brings may well be called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ▪ a marveleus light, 1 Pet. 2 9. That ⟨p. 163⟩ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you into his marvelous light1. It is a marvelous light in six respects, 1. Because it is strangely conveyed; it doth not come from the Caelestial Orbs, where the Planets are, but from the Sun of Righteousness. 2. It is marvelous in the effect: This light doth that which no other light can, it makes a man see himself blind. 3. It i• a marvelous light, because it is more penetrating; other light may shine upon the face, this light shines upon the heart, and enlightens the Conscience, 2 Cor. 4.6.— 4. It is a marvelous light, because it sets those that have it a marveling: they marvel at themselves, how they could be contented so long without it; they marvel that their eyes should be opened, and not others; they marvel that notwithstanding they hated and opposed this light, yet it should shine in the Firmament of their souls. This is that the Saints will stand wondring at to all eternity. 5. It is a marvelous light, because it is more virtual than any other; it doth not onely enlighten, but quicken, it makes alive those who were dead in trespasses and sins; therefore it is elegantly called Lumen vita, the light of life, Iohn 8.12.— 6. It is a marvelous light, because it is the beginning of the everlasting light. The light of grace is the morning-star which ushers in the Sun-light of glory.
- 1Inseritur [Greek or Hebrew] ad deno•andam hujus lucis excellentiam. Grot.Inseritur 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ad deno•andam hujus lucis excellentiam. Grot.
