9. Again, Heavenhj lights are perjjetual. Even as stella cadentes, so is it with the wicked man. Though he seems to shine fairly, yet because the causes of this light in him are earthly, no marvel if after the force of them be spent they suddenly vanish. But the godly man's light is of another substance and nature. It is heavenly, and is ever like himself. It may indeed be obscured, but never wholly eclipsed. Either worldly sorrow or joy doth for a time sometimes darken them, and may be so obscured as neither the world, no, nor themselves can discern their estates for their own comfort; yet for all this will they at length recover their former brightness and glory again. Saint Paul, he saith, a Christian life is con- cealed and hid with Christ in God, Col. iii. 3 ; but yet when he shall appear, then shall we also appear.
Use. The use of all this is to try us whether- we be lights. Surely if we be, we will have no communion with those that work the works of darkness. So saith Saint John, 1 John i. 5-7. Again, if we be lights we shall wonder at our glorious estate we are in ; we shall think all our life before we came into this estate to be dark ; yea, though formerly we were civilly disposed. And especially shall we wonder at that which we have in future expectation and hope, reserved to us in heaven. A carnal man wonders still at worldly matters, as stately buildings and the like ; a Christian thinks all base in respect of the immense love of God freely set upon him.
Directions how to attain to be lights.
1. First, If we desire to be lights, communicate thyself trith the chief est light, as the stars are ever in the presence of the sun, and from his light they receive theirs. Be sure thou placest thyself in God's eye continually.
2. Secondly, Use the means, use the glass of God's word. Thou shalt not only see thy estate therein, but by it thou shalt be transformed into God's image, 2 Cor. iii. 18. Other glasses have no such power like this mirror of the gospel. It makes us like God, because it hath the Spirit of God ever accompanying with it, whence it is the word of light. Those therefore that are out of the sunshine of the gospel, no marvel if they be
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dark. The moon, so far as it is averse from the sun, is ever dpa-k. So is a Christian. So far as he is turned from Christ, so far he is dark. Let thine eyes therefore be ever towards him in the use of the means, the word, prayer, land the sacraments, and such hke.
3. Again, In thy conversation hare no ron-exponclenaj iiith the world, for ■what fellowship is there between light and darkness ? How foully do they therefore deceive themselves that will be wise. They will be protcstant or papist, zealous or profane, according as their company are. God will turn such worldly wisdom into mere folly, who will be ashamed of such w-hen he shall come in his kingdom. It is a comely thing to be Christians with Christians. Light with light augments the light, even as the multitude of stars joined in the heaven make the fjalaa-ia* A company of Christians meeting in one make a glorious light indeed, and such a lustre as will dazzle the eyes of the wicked world. Be stirred up therefore to use good company.
4. And follow the example of those that he lir/hts, and the directions thou findest in the word, and thou shalt shine as the sun in the kingdom of God, It is true the wicked they will labour to cover this light with clouds of dis- grace and detraction, and thus they reward God for his goodness, but they have their lesson. There is no surer sign of a wicked man than when they endeavour to deprave these lights and to obscure them. And yet this practice is very usual, when they see especially any new light risen up, they deride and scoff at that man or woman ; they hate him for his light. Like Cain are they, that hated his brother for his goodness ; and herein are not only imitators of Cain, but they shew themselves to be of their father the devil, for his works they do. Well, as we desire not to be of this sort, let us see that we use the means. Go and be where the word of light is, where it shines ; for those that live without it live in darkness. Set not thv carnal reason against God's wisdom. He bids thee do this. And as thou desirest the peace of Zion,
5. Pray for this light that it may grow more and more unto the perfect day thereof.
6. And labour to see the contrary estate of snch as are in darkness, where the king of fear ruleth, and where is nothing but terror.
7. And entreat God that he ivonhl open thy didl eyes, that the glorious lir/ht of the gospel may shine therein. So doth the apostle, Eph. i. 18 ; and thus shalt thou at the length come to shine here in this world, without which thou shalt not shine in the world to come. The light of nature and reason cannot bring thee to the light of glory.