who have despised the Gospel e. The dai'kness of which the text speaks, is judicial, sent them by God as the punishment of their iniquity ; and the very light that shines around them, serves only to increase their blindness, and to aggravate their guilt f. In this state, " they stumble at the noon-day," and wander, " not knowing whither they go ;" till at last they fall into that pit of destruction, where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth for evermore.
Should not then the dread of such a state lead us to a just improvement of our present privileges?]
3. From the benefit arising to those who rightly improve the light —
[By " children of light," we may understand either chil- dren of God (who is light) or, truly enlightened persons g. In either sense the general import is the same, namely, that, by believing in Christ, we shall attain the knowledge and enjoy- ment of God. Compare this state with that of those who are in darkness ; and how great will this benefit appear !
Shall not then this blessed prospect allure us to embrace the Gospel? Or shall we still prefer sin and misery to holiness and glory ?]
Application —
[Let us no longer withstand the solemn warnings and affectionate exhortations of the Lord Jesus ; but improve to the utmost this accepted time, this day of salvation.]
e ver. 39, 40. f 2 Cor. ii. 15, 16. 2 Thess. ii. 11, 12.
s Thus viol dirtSeiaq is used Ephes. ii. 2. ; and ritcva Ka.Ta.pag, 2 Pet. ii. 14. is so translated, as viol (pwroc may be here.