Considering the extent of fire, and that its property is, when put into motion, to consume all combustible substances within its reach, it is astonishing that the world has not long since been destroyed! This terrible element is at present restrained and directed by its almighty Creator; but divine revelation informs us, that a period will arrive when its utmost energies shall be called into action. The apostle Peter asserts, that “the heavens and earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men;--in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burnt up.” Again he says, “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” The _passing away of the heavens_ means the same as their being _dissolved by fire_. The word Ῥοιζηδὸν signifies with a _very loud_ and _terrible noise_: with a sound resembling that of a great _storm_. In this place it more particularly denotes the horrid crackling noise of a wide-spreading fire. “The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself Yea, all which it inherit, shall _dissolve_; And, like the baseless fabric of a vision, Leave not a wreck behind.” The word rendered _melt_, is a metaphor taken from _metals_, dissolving in the fire, or _wax_ before the flame; so will the fierce and spreading fire of the last day _melt down_ this globe, and its surrounding atmosphere.[36] That the world was to be dissolved by fire was the opinion of Anaximander, Anaxiphanes, Anaxagoras, Archelaus, Diogenes, and Leucippus.[37] The inference which the apostle deduces from this view of the general and final conflagration of the world, is highly impressive. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” * * * * * _Section_ III.--LIGHT. Motion of luminous and fiery particles the first cause of light -- Light the most simple body --Velocity of light -- Light diffusive -- Light the medium through which objects become visible -- Light beautiful, or its rays of different colors -- Light a visible resemblance of its Divine Author, in his spirituality, simplicity, purity, energy, goodness, manifestation, glory.