Job 24:13

They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

Ver. 13. They are of those that rebel against the light] Against the common light of the sun, say some, which they are ready to curse (as the Atlantes, a people of Ethiopia, are said to do), and could wish extinct, that they might sin unseen (Herodot.). Others more fitly understand it of the light of nature and Scripture; against which wicked atheists rise up and rebel; as malcontents and mutineers do against lawful authority. In the poor blind Ethnics it is to be seen that some few principles and notions of good and evil, right and wrong, truth and falsehood, are yet to be found in corrupt nature; like as when cities and great buildings are overthrown by war, some towers, some pinnacles, survive the violence. Now some desperate sinners against their own souls take the boldness to tear out these principles, that might any way disturb their course in sin; and to take an order with their natural consciences, clapping up those prophets from God, close prisoners, Romans 1:18, till at length all that little light is lost, that rush candle quite extinct. When wine is poured out of a cup the sides are yet moist. But when it is rinsed and wiped, then remaineth not the least taste. Even so that glimmering of divine light left in the natural man is so defaced by obstinace in sin, that not the least spark thereof remaineth. These bats have flown so long against that light, that at length they have put it out. And whereas to those that live under the ordinances there is another light risen, viz. that of God's word and works, graceless wretches shut their windows, lest this light should come in upon them, as the Pharisees did, John 3:18. They hate it because their deeds are evil, saith our Saviour; they spurn and scorn at it, saith Solomon, Proverbs 1:7 .; they are willingly ignorant, saith Peter; they wink wilfully, saith Austin, martyr; Ut liberius peccent, libenter ignorant, saith Bernard, they rebel against the light, as Balaam did when he set his face toward the wilderness, and would needs curse howsoever. Or as Pharaoh, who sat not down under the miracle Moses wrought, but sent for the magicians. How many are there in this day, who, after conviction, get the bit between their teeth, like unruly horses, and run away!

They know not the ways thereof] A carnal heart is not willing to know what it should do, lest it should do what it would not do. Of such Bernard saith, that they seek straws to put out their own eyes with, Festucam quaerunt ut oculos eruant. If they seek after God's ways, it is but as a coward seeketh after his enemy, with a hope he shall not find him. So he is loth to find, and fears to know, therefore be searcheth no further than will serve his turn, and the little light he hath he putteth not under a bushel, but under a dunghill. Woe be to these rebels, these solifugae that refuse, or abuse, gospel light! Turks and Pagans shall have an easier judgment. It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, saith Peter, than after they have known it, &c., 2 Peter 2:21. Gravis est lux conscientiae, Serious is the light of conscience, saith Seneca; but gravior est lux Evangelii, more serious is the light of the gospel, say we; if this light be hated by any, it is merely because it stands in the light of their wicked ways, as the angel did in Balaam's way to his sin.

Nor abide in the paths thereof] They have no stability nor settledness in well doing. They follow not on to know, Hosea 6:3, but soon give over the pursuit and practice of holiness; not caring to "add to faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge," &c., 2 Peter 1:5 .