Vol 01 - Chapter 01 - Of the light, the work of the first day.

Chapter 01 - Of the light, the work of the first day
1. IN those words of Job, ch. 38: 19, " Where is the way, where light dwells And as for darkness, where is the place thereof" The holy writer intimates, that the nature of light is very difficult to be explained, and scarce to be comprehended by finite understandings. For though we know. something of it by our sight, yet it is but little. However, let us employ that little, to promote the glory of God.
2. First then, light is a most subtile, and pure brightness; separated from darkness in the morning of the creation, when God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. By this, the world is enlightened and comforted, and all its beautiful variety distinctly known. By this,. as some' think, the light of life was conveyed into the great world, incorporating itself with every creature. From this pure brightness, light and beauty flowed into the globe of the sun, constituting it the great luminary of the day, by which it is governed and directed.
3. But as it is the duty of a Christian to contemplate the works of God with spiritual eyes, so as therein to see the Creator, let us take a nearer view of this subject, and see how the light and the sun bear witness of God and CHRIST,
4. And the first conclusion that naturally presents itself is this; if God created so lovely, so refreshing a light, how much more lovely, comfortable, and refreshing a light is he himself Therefore to the question, Why God first of all created light One answers, " Because from his own essential light, the visible light does more naturally proceed, as that which bears the nearest resemblance to his own nature;" and therefore he calls light a little after, 6s The image of the goodness of God."
5. And whereas God made the light, that thereby the true external form, shape, and beauty of the creatures might be distinctly seen, it follows, that there is another secret and mysterious light, whereby the internal form and signatures of the creatures may be likewise known; from which nothing can be hidden or concealed. And this light is the eternal wisdom of GOD, which being compared with the natural and created light, is called, " The brightness of the everlasting light," Wisd. 7: 26.
6. From the light of the sun also shines forth the most puce, deep, -and ardent love of God. For whom did he create the sun Certainly not for himself, for he needeth not the sun, nor any other created light, being himself a light infinite and eternal. For our sakes therefore he created it. So that every ray of light proceeding from the sun, is a ray of Divine love towards mankind. And as the eternal wisdom of God is a bright sun, clearly discovering his mercy and beneficence; so according to the nature and properties of the visible sun and light, it may also be called " an image of the Divine goodness."
7. The created light also determines the order, seasons, bounds, figures, and distinctions of all created things. For without it, the whole world would be nothing but darkness and confusion. So that upon this account also, the light is an image of the Divine wisdom.
8. The created light, by its brightness and splendor, makes every thing turn to it; so the goodness of God draws all things to itself, as the first root, centre, and principle of all things,
9. The light of the sun is pure and spotless; so is the love of God towards mankind. Hence also the Divine wisdom being a spotless light, is, according to the property of the sun, "The spotless mirror of the Divine majesty."
10. As the light flows plentifully and freely from the sun, so does the love of God descend plentifully upon us. As the sun shines freely upon all, without respect of persons, so does the Divine love overflow all mankind. As the light proceeds from the nature and essence of the sun, so does the love of God flow from the very nature and essence of the Divine mind.
11. Moreover as God created the external light for the greater world, visible bodies; so he did at the same time provide an inward and spiritual light for the soul. And this light of the soul, is God the Father, Jesus CHRIST, and the Holy Ghost; the ever-blessed and undivided Trinity, by whom our understandings are enlightened through faith.
12. As the sun enlightens the world, so does CHRIST the soul.. " He is the true light that enlightens every man that cometh into the world," and is therefore called by the prophet Malachi, "The sun of righteousness," ch. 4: 2. And St. James calls GOD, "The Father of lights," ch. 1: 17. And the Holy Ghost appeared upon the apostles in the form of fiery tongues, Acts 2:3. And from this eternal light proceeds the light of grace, the light of wisdom and Divine knowledge; the light of truth and life; the light of joy and consolation; the light of God's countenance; the light of faith and all Christian virtues.
13. The light is comfortable and refreshing. And who can doubt that, in the bright day of eternity, the blessed saints shall be refreshed with joy unspeakable without all question, the light of the everlasting Sun of Righteousness shall give us infinitely more delight and joy than this created sun can do, which only gives light to a world of misery and sorrow.
14. The light awakens those that sleep, and puts them in mind of rising. So CHRIST, our Light, rouses us from the sleep of sin. "Awake you that sleepest, and CHRIST shall give thee light," Ephesians 5:14. The light directs the traveler in his way. So says CHRIST, " I am the Light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life," John 8:12. Moreover, as the corporeal light has a secret vital power in it-so, as " CHRIST is our Light, in him also was life, and the life was the light of men," John 1:4 : "The Lord is my light and my salvation, he is the strength of my life," Psalms 27:1.
15. As the light cannot be seen any other ways than by itself; so God cannot be known but by himself. "In thy light we shall see light," 1Psalms 36:9. And as the external light drives away the darkness, and the spirits' of darkness, so CHRIST, who is the light of God in us, chases away all the works of darkness, and SATAN. And God must speak the word in us, as he did at the first creation, 11 Let there be light!" or we shall for ever remain in darkness. This made the Psalmist say, "You, Lord, shall light my candle: the Lord shall make my darkness to be light," Psal. 18: 29.
16. As the light makes all things clear and plain, so there is nothing in heaven or in earth, no spirit, no being, nor the very thoughts of the heart, can be hidden from the light of Divine Wisdom, Hebrews 4:12-13. Hence the Psalmist says, "You have set our misdeeds before thee, and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance," Psal. 90: 8. And a You understand my thoughts long before," Psal. 139: 2. "Wisdom goes through all understanding, a pure and most subtle spirit." Wisd. 7: 23.
17. Lastly, the, light and sun are an argument and type of the glorification of our souls and bodies at the resurrection. For though the glorification of our souls be, in some degree, accomplished in this life, by the power of the Holy Spirit, according to that of the Corinthians, "We all with an open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord;" yet these are but the imperfect beginnings, and first glimpes of eternal happiness. But hereafter, both soul and body shall be clothed with everlasting light and glory. Hence St. Paul, "There is one glory of the sun, and, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars so is also the resurrection of the dead," 1 Corinthians 15:41. And Daniel, "They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever."