THE BEAUTY OF ZION. 397
it, receiving light from it, to communicate to others : they empty the golden oil out of themselves, which they receive from the candlestick. For this candlestick hath ' seven lamps/ ver. 2. which lamps, that burn before the throne, are the ' seven spirits of God ;' Rev. iv. 5. seven spirits, that is, the perfection and completeness of the Spirit of God, in all his graces and operations. Now who hath these seven spirits? Even he ' who received not the Spirit by measure,' John iii. 34. being the ' stone' upon which are the ' seven eyes;' Zech. iii. 9. He alone then is this candlestick, and all the light which this house hath, it is from him.
There are two ways whereby Jesus Christ makes out light to this house. (1st.) Byway of doctrinal revelation; (2dly.) Of real communication.
(1st.) He alone discovers light to all the stones of this building. ' No man hath seen God at any time : the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him;' John i. 18. No saving discovery of God, of his nature, his will, his love, but what is by Christ. The moon and stars give light, but it is only what they receive from the sun. The propliets and apostles held out light, but it was all received from him. They * spake by the Spirit of Christ that was in them, I have received of the Lord that which I have delivered unto you ;' 1 Cor. xi. 23. The same apostle curses every one that shall bring in any other light into this house, be they angels, or men ; Gal. i. 8, 9. Christ alone fully knows the mind of God, as being always in the * bosom of his Father;' John i. 18. Yea, he knows it to the uttermost, being ' one with his Father;' John x. 30. And he is willing to reveal it, for even ' for this end came he into the world, that he might bear witness to the truth.' And he had ability enough to do it, for * in him were hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;' Col. ii. 3. He alone is the author of all light to this his holy habitation. Many attempts have been to set up light in this house, and not from Christ. Some would kindle their traditions for the doctrine of this house, some their prudentials for the go- vernment of it, some their ceremonials for the worship of it : all candles in the sun. Shall men think to compass them- selves with sparks, and walk in the light of the fire which themselves have kindled, in the face of the sun of righteous-
398 THE BRANCH OF THE LO\iD
ness ? Shall not such men lie down in sorrow? Beloved, take heed of such 'ignes fatui,' foolish, misguiding fires.
(2dly.) By way of teal communication, 'He is the true light which lighteneth every man;' John i. 9. Every one that hath any spiritual light really communicated to him, hath it from Christ. It is part of his work to ' recover sight to the blind ;' Luke iv. 18. And therefore he adviseth the church of Laodiceato come to him for 'eye-salve, that she might see;' Rev. iii. 18. At his coming Zion ' shines forth,' Isa. Ix. 1. because his 'light ariseth upon her ;' ver. 2. The former doctrinal teaching of itself will not suffice : that • light may shine in darkness, and the darkness not compre- hend it ;' John i. 5. All the light the sun can give, will not make a blind man see : there must be a visive faculty within, as well as light without. The stones of this building are hy nature all blind, yea, darkened, yea, darkness itself. If the Lord Christ do not by the mighty efficacy of his Spirit create a visive power within them, as well as reveal the will of his Father to them, they will never spiritually discern the things of God. ' The natural man discerneth not the thinos of God, nor indeed can do ;' 1 Cor. ii. 14. It is true, men by the help of common gifts, with the use of the former doctrinal revelation, may attain to such a knowledge of the mind of God, as may in a sense be called illumination ; Heb. vi. 4. Far may they go, much may they do, by this light : they may teach others, and be cast away themselves : they may dispute for truth, yea, die for truth, and all this while have but the first, common anointing, see nothing clearly, but men walking like trees. A spiritual insight into the mind of God, is not to be obtained without an almighty act of the Spirit of Christ, creating a new power of life and light upon the soul. Some indeed think that they have this seeing power in themselves. Do but shew them outwardly what is to be seen, and let them alone for the discerning of it. Well then, let them alone, if ever they are stones of this living house, I am deceived. Thou that art so, know whence is all thy light; and if thou art any thing in the dark, draw nigh to the candlestick, from whence all light is. Thence must thy light come, yea, and thence it shall come, the secrets of the Lord shall make their abode with thee.