558 Chap. 24: AnGxpofition upon the BooitofJ OB. Verf. ï 3 conceive that before Chrift came in the flefh, ;hough there were veryhigh and prefumptuoub fins committed, that yet none of them did amount to that which the Gofpel calls, The fin againft the Holy Ghcft.There was Gofpel- light in thofe times, but it was under types and fhaddowes, there was not thatcleare light, that cleareft light whichwas fhed abroad at the comingofChrift, and the efore there was not light enough to fin againft, for the pro- duetion ofthat fin against the holy Ghoft, which is not onely the greateft rebellion againft light, but is alto a rebellion againft the greateft light. And here confider by what degrees, finning againft light rifeth unto its full height ofrebellion. i irft, It isvery finfull and extreamely dangerous, not to love the light.See how Chrift thunders againft fuck as do not Odom 3. 19.) This is the condemnation that light is come into the world, andmen loved darknefr rather then light : He doth not fay, men rebelled againft the light, he only charges them with this crime, that they did not love it, but loved darkneffe rather. This, faith he, r4 the Condemnation ; that is, this will certainly be matter of condemnation againft tanners, that when light came to them, their hearts did notclofe with it, and embrace it. Now ifit be fo iïnfull not to love the light, what is it to rebel! againft it.It is very poffible for a man not to love that thing or perfon againft which yet he dothnot rebel. Secondly, Not to obey, not to fubmit to the light, is exceed. ing finfull, lefty C'hriftfhall at loft be revealedfrom heaven (per. Tonally) inflaming fire to take vengeance en them,that obey him not RI revealed (áofirinally) that is, who obey not the gofpel(z Thef. i. 7, 8.) yet it is poffible not to obey the Gofpel,that is, to forbear anaâiveobedience to that which is Commanded in it,andnot to rebell againft it a&ively, there arediftinti in themfelves, though feldome, ifat alle diftinêt in thofe that doe them. Now then if there be aboundance of wickedneffe in not obeying the light, in not doing every thing that the light direcîs us to ; then it mutt needs be a more abounding wickednefs,when the heart rifes up 8& rebells againft it. For though(as wasevennow intímated)we can hardly divide thefe in their exiftences,yet we may diftinguifh thê in their natures,or at leaft in their degrees,for barely not to obey the light in doing the will of God, is a tanofa lower ftature,then a profeft rebelling againft it ; though in every not doing accord- ing
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