Matthew Poole and continuators on John 3:19

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world , and men loved darkness rather than light ; because their deeds were evil .

This is the Reason, the Evidence and great Cause of Condemnation, That Light is come into the World▪ Christ is the Light, foretold by the Prophet, Isa. 9.2. and 42.6. and 49.6. He is stiled in the beginning of this Gospel, the true Light, chap. 1.4. that is, hath in perfection all the excellent qualities of Light; the Power to enlighten the minds of men in the Knowledg of saving Truth, to warm the Affections with the love of it, to revive the disconsolate, and to make the heavenly Seed of the Word, to flourish and fructifie in their lives; this light is come into the World, that signifies not onely his Incarnation, but his revealing the merciful Counsel of God for our Salvation, which the clearest Spirits could never have discovered; he has open'd the way that leads to Eternal Life; but men loved Darkness rather than Light.

They preferr'd, chose and adher'd to their Ignorance and Errors, before the Light of Life, the saving Knowledg of the Gospel. Their Ignorance is affected and voluntary, and no colour of excuse can be alledged for it; nay 'tis very culpable and guilty, by neglecting to receive instruction from the Son of God.

The vices and lusts of men are the works of Darkness, the fruits of their Ignorance and Errors; and they are so pleasant to the carnal corrupt Nature, that to enjoy them securely, they obstinately reject the Light of the Gospel; this aggravates their Sin and Sentence.

Marginal references: Chap. 1.4, [illegible: 1 letter], 10, 11.