VERSE 6.
For God, u'lio commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to (live the light oj the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The apostle labours, in the beginning of the chapter, to remove an impu- tation cast upon the gospel, as if it were not true doctrine. But if it be so, it is to them ' in whom the god of this world hath blinded their eyes.'
Secondly, he labours to remove the imputation of vain-glory, as if his preaching did such great wonders ; and sheweth that the efficacy of all is from above, from God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness ; and for this end, ' to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'
The words have these two 25«'*^5 ; the chief and principal cause of all heavenly light in us — ministerial will not serve the turn — ' God commanded light to shine,' &c.
For the first, ' God hath commanded light to shine out of darkness.' There is no less ivork to shine in that dark heart of man, than to create the u-orld, to create light out of darkness. So much harder than that (though not in regard of an omnipotent power, for to that nothing is hard, but in regard of the thing itself), because there is much obscurity and rebellion in the heart. There is no help at all.
To add a little — that we may be raised up to admiration of the excellency of the new creatm'e. There is nothing at all of it in our nature. There is something in nature to join with duty ; there is a seed of it in us. But for heavenly light, for knowledge of God in Christ, there is nothing at all of it in nature. It must not be repairing and piercing, but a whole creation. And therefore there be more good lessons in the gospel than in the law, because the law hath something in it that accordeth with us, for the law and the law in * Qu. ' cannot ' ?— Ed.
2 COUINTIIIAXS CHAP. IV, VER. 6. 321
our hearts agree ; but the gospel is altogether from without, both the truth itself, and the special grace wrought by the gospel. And therefore the proud and vain hearts of men make this and that conceit of Christ and his offices, because nature will not submit to it, it having nothing of it in itself ; and therefore the gospel must raise oppositions. It bringeth in self-denial, being the first doctrine, so contrary to the will, which turneth a man out of himself. Therefore God that created light out of darkness must shine in our hearts.
And yet let me add this, we should not despair, for it is God that shineth. Come under the means wherewith God is pleased to be effectual, attend on the posts of wisdom, and God will stir the waters in his good time, John v. 3, will convey an almighty power in the use of the ordinances. Let no man there- fore despair, because it is in God's power to shine in our hearts, and it is well for us that it is in the power of God to work grace, for now it is out of our own. And all immediately depend on God. Meet him, attend him there, and he will meet us ; depend on him, and undoubtedly he will work grace first or last. This is God's way, and you shall find God in it.
Secondly, the end of this liffht that God commandeth to shine in our hearts, not in our brains. God's illumination goeth through the whole soul, alters the will and affection. The}-- that are not altered in the course of their hearts and souls, as well as their understandings, in Scripture they are said to know nothing at all. He that knoweth not Christ so as to put off the old man, and put on the new, that hath not divine light passing through the understanding to the will, and through the whole man, he knoweth nothing in religion but what may stand with damnation.
When the light presseth on him in his courses, he is always reproving it, and therefore they be never quiet. It is a vexing light, an unprofitable light, nay, a light whereby damnation is increased, if it be not joined with sanctification and illumination overspreading the whole soul.
And the end of it is to give the * light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'
God's children they have light shining on them. No man hath grace in themselves alone ; and specially it is true of ministers, who besides per- sonal graces, have graces of office for others. And therefore ' God shineth in their hearts, to give the hght of the knowledge of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.' He shineth on them that they may reflect their light on others, as the moon and stars, that have their Hght from the sun, that they may reflect on the earth, and inferior bodies.
1. The particulars are these : the knowledge of God is the end of all. Now that God will be glorified, especially in his attributes of mercy and love, wisdom and justice, and holiness, all these are seen specially in the gospel, but most of all. the sweet attributes of grace and mercy. The glory of God is his aim, and his glory shines in these attributes, and they shine in the face of Christ,