urim and Thummim. LIGHT and TRUTH. Being the two last SERMONS. Preached by Mr, JOHN GUTHRY, July 17. 1669, in reference to Indulgence.  Psal. 43.3. O sand down thy Light and thy Truth. 
IT hath ever been one of the sweetening Ingredients of a sad lot ever to the Church, or to the Lord's Friends, to have freedom from Darkness, and to be admitted to walk in his Light; And where that hath been wanting, it's ground of complaint for itself, tho there were no affliction beside on the body or spirits of his People: For whether considered in itself, or in the cause or effects of it, there are few stroke comparable to this, when one says, I sit in darkness, and have no light; or this, He is like to take his Truth from me: Therefore is it that his People pled, Tak● not thy Truth utterly from me. I believe none could tell what his People could do next, and therefore when this stroke befalls his People, we reckon it their greatest affliction. Hence Jeremy, I am the Man that hath seen Affliction. And here it is that his People, when under this, pleads for a removal of it, as it's here; And sand down thy Light, and thy Truth.  
From this Verse you may conceive what was the Psalmist's case, and that at this time he had no access to the Hill of God, and would have fain been there; and cleanly there he is in this d●fficulted, w●●ich ye may gather from the first Verse, to wit, the Men he had to do with, de●eitful and unjust men, and given to no small oppression. The remembrance of whilk party makes him afraid of snares, and therefore deals he with God, that he would waird off snares. I would fain have Ordinances, but if I get them not as honestly as I was put from them, it will even be the worse; but if I could win to Light and Truth from God, to be directed in his way, then would I say, O when shall I win again to the Sanctuary! And it could not be objected, Ye are here, but not with foul fingers, but cleanly. O then what a shout should I give of praise in the Temple!  
Now while he sets himself to deal with God for so desirable a mercy: so in the consideration of his single dependence on God for Light, he expostulates with his soul for its despondency.  
Now from these words, which are a Prayer and Request, wherein we would have you considering the thing prayed for, that is, Light and Truth; which supposes some present choke of Darkness and hazard is feared. The thing prayed and waited for, is God's Light and Truth, no other being sufficient to direct but that which is founded on God's truth in the Scriptures, whereby we lay aside the light within folk, spoken so much of by some, it's but one Prayer, but one full coming out, from a heart touched with the sense of the want and desirableness of the thing he is pleading for, and said he, any stroke but darkness, and, Lord( says he) Light must be hastened, and Truth must be hastened, for we know not how soon we will be put to it. And amongst all things we are under we pitch on Light and Truth, as the only thing desirable, therefore sand out both. And this is the third thing in the words; Lord, would he say, if we get not Light and Truth, we will get a wrong Leader; and no other but thy Light, and thy Truth acknowledge we for a Guide.  
First, From what is pleaded here, Light and Truth, we  told you by this Prayer Darkness was supposed. Whence observe,  
That many times the People of God are in Darkness, so that sometimes they neither know what to say, nor what to do. Jer. 3.2. Thou hast lead me into Darkness and not to Light. In speaking to this I shall hint at this, What are the things his People are left in Darkness anent? and what are the Reasons of it? And first, It's an ordinary case to his People to be left in darkness in order to their interest, so as they cannot give any believing account thereof. This case is more ordinary than that which is ordinarily laid to heart. What sorer case than to have the whole Heavens darkened above your head? I shall speak to this how this comes to pass.  
1. I think folks have never been at so much pains as to get clear light and truth anent the thing, they have not brought their heart under that uncontroverted way of debating what is sufficient for them to rest on.  
2. A second thing that helps to darken Folks anent their Interest, they keep not so up with God after clearing of their Interest as they did before they wan to it. Folks laid by the liveliness of their exercise of spirit after they wan to some assurance of Interest. When ye walked with him, ye walked under the light of his countenance.  
3. Folks are not careful to pitch on their Evidences of Interest, and clear them to ourselves. It's a strange thing that we can lay weight on any word in all the Bible for our Interest, and not have it as clear to us as the Sun. Therefore it were good folks were considering their hazard of living in darkness.  
A second thing wherein the Lord's People are often found in darkness, is in order to the finding him out in the day of his absence. Thus the Bride in the Song, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? I have been seeking him in this and that duty, and cannot find him. O if there be any body that has skill where he is or can be found, will ye ease my heart, sorely oppressed for the want of him, so as to tell me where I may find him. I think it were very desirable to see his People under such a case as this is. If the shedding had been more sad, there had been hope of a more joyful meeting. I think there has been a very dry-like shedding on our part; tho he has given many a Husband-like look over his shoulder, yet have they not had that strength to draw a Wife-like look to a withdrawing Husband. This is a piece of darkness they fell under in order to the knowing where he is.  
3. Darkness falls sometimes on his People in order to their present duty. And this is no small piece of darkness, either when it falls on his Church, or on his People: in particular, it's a desirable thing when their way is hedged up that they shall not find their Lovers, but O sad, when their way is hedged up with hewn stones that they cannot find their present duty! so as ye cannot find a man in all Israel that can say, This is our duty. But there is one or two things that makes this case hopeful. First, when darkness is an affliction on folks spirits; and, 2dly, when folks know not what do do, yet then they betake themselves to God, to wait on him till he appoint their work to them. O that it may not be found with us as it was betwixt Saul and Samuel, a little time more would have done it. And next, this is a token for good under darkness, that till God point out their duty to them, their eyes are towards God. We know not what to do, but our eyes are towards thee. O the Atheism that our hearts broach in dark times.  
A third thing wherein his People are sometimes found under darkness is, in order to the uptaking of some piece of Truth, that relates not only to their Interest but their Comfort. So the Disciples went to John, We know not what he saith. Sometimes such a question as that shows the Father, How wilt thou manifest thyself to us, and not to the World?  
4. Sometimes his People are under darkness, in order to the making out of some particular Promises, that sometimes they have been made to believe, so as they dare venture to say, Doth his Promise fail for ever? It had been as fit for them to say, My heart, and my strength, and my flesh fails; but he is the portion of my heart for ever. Ye remember what David said, Surely one day I shall perish by the hand of Saul. There is one thing or two that makes folk to utter this language, or helps to breed in the heart such things as this flows from. 1. When the Lord removes all out of their sight, by which they conclude he would fulfil his Promises, and when these means and ways misgives them, then their hope gets a set. 2. When the Lord is all along in the way of his Dispensations strengthening things, whereby his Interest is weakened; sometimes strengtheners the hands of the enemies, so as nothing they contrive but they get it brought to pass, and weakens his Friends so, as sometimes when the Lo●d's Friends were many, then were his People's spirits raised with lively expectation, but when these are taken away their spirits begin to sink.  
5. There are sometimes Dispensations his People are left in the dark anent, albeit they be in themselves very signifying, and which he wills his People to red what is signified by them, yet his people often will be in such a case as they can neither read what is in them, nor what to make of them, as the washing of the Disciples feet, &c.  
Lastly; I apprehended if Scotland's case this day be seriously considered, and compared with its case in the day of its bowing itself to God, it will be found that there is an unknown Cloud setten down on the Prophets of Scotland. I think they are happy who have not gotten a touch of that darkness that has overspread our Land. there Scotland is yet under the Cloud, I will point at two or three things that ordinarily attends a dark time. First, If it be light with us, how comes it that we see the most part possessed with so much diffidence as to the truth of the way they walk in, in the day of the light of Scotland. Our Prophets had confidence, our people had confidence in the way they were in, that it was the way of Truth. I am not saying there is none, yet but few in respect of the generality, they are groping, finding about with their hands to grip the oldmarks.  
A second symptom of Darkness is this: Ye know it's ordinary when folks walk in the night, they are afraid, so that there's not the courage, boldness, fullness and freedom of spirit that his People were of when they had light. Many put their hands to things they are afraid of. How comes this to pass? it was not so when the Sun of Scotland was not run under the Cloud. How comes it that duty is to many as that whereof they are afraid, and would hid from all, that none should know what they were about, it's lamentable; that in these things, we say, are duties approven of God, has testimonies in their bosoms, yet when the Lord will open us up in these, we look like folks that were taken at an ill turn in the night.  
4. Ye know in the night folk know not where to set down their feet; stumbling-blocks are not seen and discerned: as in the night you will not see a ston in your gate, here one falling, and there another falling, and one falling over another. These things may convince us that Darkness has over-taken us. We have fallen as those who have been walking in slippery places— ever since Darkness has been our case: is there any duty that remains for such? And here I shall point at two or three things: First, that we would believe the thing, and look on it as one of the saddest things that has befallen us, and sad Ingredients in the Cup of our Affliction. There are some things by which we may be helped to consider the sadness of the thing; one is this, We need never go further off to prove that the Sun of Righteousness is not shining in its brightness amongst us. Where he is shining in the horizon of his People, there is no darkness. But this Truth is holden true to Scotland. Wo be to you when he departs from you 2. Consider that when he contends by this stroke with his People, he in a manner ranks them with Enemies, and counts them not as Friends. For this is one of the stroke he brings on them, Jer. 23.12. to make them walk in slippery places, as in the night, and to stumble and fall, &c. And it's sad when he is provoked to strike with the same stroke he uses to strike the eminentest of his Enemies with. 3. This may show how sad this stroke of darkness is, it casts all his People loose every one to seek a several way, as the night does people. This is a sad Consideration, when we remember how much we are divided, and subdivided. How is this come to pass? our night is come on, and it's a consequent of our darkness, that makes it a sad and deplorable condition, that every one is groping to meet the road through darkness, and never any two keeping the gate almost together. 4. The evil of this case may be pointed out by this, that it brings them to be somewhat in a nearer capacity to that which they were before they were in Covenant with God. Sometimes were you darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. But O how sad then it may be said, Sometimes were ye light, but now are ye darkness, and so, as we are become the reproach of all Nations! 5. Consider how like it makes a Church or Person to those that are thrust into Hell itself, where is utter darkness. Folks brought under a dark case, are like such who are finding as it were a piece of Hell creeping on upon their souls; it's such a Plague as when once it enters into the heart, and seizeth on it, it gives being to all the evils that lodge in the heart.  
2dly. I would say this to such who are under this case, While there is any light remaining, endeavour to hold hand to strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die; lest ye become like the Woman to the King of Israel, My Spark shall be put out. Are there Convictions coming alongst and visiting your souls? is any thing spoken to you from the Word or Dispensations? entertain it, lest your Spark in Israel be quenched. O save one eye, Man, if thou dow! O save one eye, Woman, if thou dow! 2. Consider wherefra this had its rise. I'll tell you it has had its, rise in some, from slavish fear to gain something has darkened the eye of some; and to keep, has darkened the eye of others. Look that the hope of getting something of this World, or the fear of losing, has put out your eyes or not; many has been blinded with less things: but some folks has shut their eye-lids that they will not look up at all, but are walking blindfolded. Next, The Lord would be eyed singly, as that which is the fountain of Light, from whom it must beam in upon us, Isa. 50. last. Look to it that those who make a Fire of their own building, and compass themselves about with sparks, they shall lye down in sorrow, mickle sorrow find. Wo be it! for we and others too are often choked with it. This is the fruit of the imagination of our own heart. O happy they who with the Psalmist have their eyes towards the Lord! Thus I would say to such who sit in darkness, and have no light, let them trust in the Lord, and stay themselves on God. Shall they that sit in darkness, trust in the Lord when they have no light? Folk would not lose their patience, and startle to the gate ere they get light from God, but ought to trust. I dare say, if God were trusted in, and singly eyed for direction, it should never be our plague.  
The next thing is, That as folks would wait on God, and trust in him under darkness, so they would resolve to employ God for the gift of light and Truth: For here he enters to his Prayers, O sand out thy Light and thy Truth. And this leads on to the third thing in the World That it's amongst the desirable mercies of a Church or persons in 〈◇〉 darkness, to be trysted with Light and Truth. There are two or thre● things hold out to you the desirableness of this Mercy.  
1. It's one of the special things Christ has in Commission, to open the eyes of the blind, to give light to them that sit in darkness. It's one of the greatest proofs that the Gospel is preached, when Light begins to spread and break up, and Truth is vindicated. Then Christ is working, our Lord is then working amid the Golden Candlesticks, and is not only there but he is about his Office, he is working  
The second thing, speaking the desirableness of this M●rcy, is, The high value God's People have put on it. Hence it is that David in the fourth Psalm prefers the lifting up of God's Countenance to all the fruitions of the World. What's your petition to day? would you have his Countenance lifted up upon you? Were balances created that could hold all that were in Heaven and Earth, Sea, and all that is in them, yet could it be nothing in comparison of them; nor would all that could be put in this balance be but like a little pile of Dust that a man would blow off of a balance.  
3. This Light, and freedom from Darkness, is one of the most restoring Blessings that a Church or Soul is capable of, as in the last of Malachy, But unto you that fear the Lord, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing under his wings. What will that do? There needs no more to thaw the dozened frozen hearts of his People. I shall melt you, would he say. O for the fight of the appearing of that day-star from on high! O our souls faint for that healing sight.  
4. His Friends put it up as the chief Complaint, and foremost: Then how desirable a mercy would that be, the removal whereof brings on the saddest things, and saddest complaints of his People. Two or three things from this. First, look that folks pray for no Light but that which is God's, and founded on his Truth; it's Thy Light; sand forth thy Light. All Lights besides this are Darkness.  
2dly. There is no other thing we would have you seeking, that folks would not be satisfied to have Light and Truth sent forth for themselves, but so large as may reach the whole Church; that is to say, Ministers might be filled with it, and people might be filled with it, and snares removed; and if not removed, yet eyes to see the same. O to see the Priests of the Lord cloath●d with this Light and Truth, and to see the Saints shouting whilst they behold it!  
3dly, Seek that Light and Truth that may bring healing with it. What will you do with Light it ye get not Healing? If we get not healing, we shall all turn light and froth●: therefore carry this Promise in to your Prayers, That Light and Healing may not be separated, but may be jointly given to the Church We are under many distempers and must be healed, and it will be a meikle matter that will heal our breaches, and make us a standing house again.  
Again, I would have you, as to cry for Light and Truth, so also that the Power may also come out therewith, so as all the divided Bairns of this poor Kirk might be comented and captivated with his Light and his Truth, so as none might mistake the Light, and call it darkness, but that many might be made Children of the Light, who were before Children naturally in darkness. O but this would be desirable, this would make us that promise that the Children would be crying out, Stretch out my Tents and my Cords: wherefore stretch we cannot get room enough. And the Church shall cry, Who has begotten me these? O but these would be heartsom days! O for such a birth of Converts! that would make up Widows and Fatherless, and loss of Kin, Friends and Alliance.  
There is another property w● must have with Light, or it will do us little good, and that is Love; ●ight and Love. O to see Light rising, as that reflecting on hearts, it were warming their love ●nd affection to Truth, and God himself, with the Brethren: if this come not out with light, our light ●ill turn into fro●h● reasons. Why the Lord's People should count this a desirable me cy to have Light first; because walking in the Light, and in the Truth, is the walk that has immunity and freedom from offences and stumbling. Light and Truth removes these. H●●●●t●e are they who love his Law, nothing shall offend them. Now that Law is that which gives Light. 2. It's Light that makes folk walk with confidence and boldness. It's her●●●at Luther said, I'll yield to no man why; I never took a cause by the hand but Christ'●. He walked in the Light, and therefore he was bold as a Lion. 3. It first s●ts free from the trouble of many. Who can harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But next, it capacitates you to endure persecution well, and capacita●s you to hold the more of Glory. 4. It's that which makes a nice case also happy, as he is capable of in this side of time. Since Light and Truth is so desirable, I recommend it to you as a pres●●t du●y, to make serious conscience of Prayer to the Lord, That he would sand forth his light and Truth, and that for this reason; Ye hear of one Indulgence to Ministers to preach, and that the trials are like to come nearer trials for Ministers. If they do come to his Temple cleanly, yet their Faithfulness will try them: therefore it's your concernment to pray, Lord, sand out thy Light and thy Truth. For i● they be not faithful, it will be one of th● saddest str●●●s that Scotland hath met with these twenty years.;  
FINIS.