stars indeed can shine only when the sun is withdrawn ; but the brighter the Lord Jesus shines, the more shall we reflect his image. Let us then " walk in the light as God is in the light V and let " our path be as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect dayq.]
Address —
1. Those who, though living in the midst of the light, have never yet seen it —
[Such are without excuse. God would " make the scales to fall from our eyes," if we would but call upon him. But our rejection of the light will be the occasion of our more aggra- vated condemnation. " If Christ had not come and spoken unto us we had not had sin ; but now we have no cloak for our sinr." Let us then cry to him, like those of old, " Lord, open my eyes." Then shall we no longer walk in darkness, but shall have the light of lifes.]
2. Those who, though they have had some views of Christ, are yet in darkness —
[The sun in the heavens is sometimes obscured by inter- vening clouds: thus also " the Sun of Righteousness" is some- times veiled ; and we are left to walk many days without any cheering views of his countenance. If this be the case with us, let us tarry his leisure, and wait patiently for his return. Let us not say, " My sun is set to rise no more ;" but rather, " When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto me*." Thus in his light you shall see light"; " the light that is sown for you shall in due time spring upx;" yea, your light shall rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon-day y.]
3. Those who are enjoying the light of the Re- deemer's countenance —
[Jesus is the light and glory, not of the church militant only, but also of the church triumphant2: and to " behold his glory as the glory of the only-begotten of the Father a" is an anticipation and foretaste of heaven itself. " In his favour is life; and his loving-kindness is better than life itself." Let the enjoyment then of so rich a mercy stir you up to glorify his name; that so, while you behold his glory, you yourselves may be changed into his image from glory to glory b, and, by making your light to shine before men, may stir up others to glorify him also0.]
p 1 John i. 7. i Prov. iv. 18. r John ix. 41. and xv. 22.
s Johnviii. 12. Eph. v. 14. ' Mic. vii. 7 — 9.
u Ps. xxxvi. 9. x Ps. xcvii. 11. y Isai. lviii. 10.
z Rev. xxi. 23, 24. a John i. 14.
b 2 Cor. hi. 18. c Matt. v. 16.