Presbyterian Church -- Sermons; Sermons, English; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 17th century
There was a divine light which did shine in upon the understanding, ever
till sin interposed and eclipsed it, and from the light of God’s
countenance did the sweet heat and warmness of holiness and uprightness in
the affections proceed, so that there was nothing but purity and cleanness
in the soul, no darkness of ignorance, no muddiness of carnal affections,
but the soul pure and transparent, to receive the refreshing and
enlightening rays of God’s glorious countenance. And this was the very
face and beauty of the soul. It is that only that is the beauty and
excellency of the creature,—conformity to God. And this was throughout, in
understanding and affections, the understanding conformed to his
understanding, discerning between good and evil. And conformed it behoved
to be, for it was but a ray of that sun, a stream of that fountain of
wisdom, and a light derived from that primitive light of God’s
understanding. And then the will did sympathize as much with his will,
approving and choosing what he approved, and refusing that which he hated
_Idem velle atque nolle, ea demum firma amicitia est_.(151) That was the
conjunction, and it was more strict than any tie among men. There were not
two wills, they were, as it were, one. The love of God reflecting into the
soul, did, as it were, carry the soul back again unto him, and that was
the conforming principle which fashioned the whole man without and within,
to his likeness and to his obedience. Thus man was formed for communion
with God, this likeness behoved to be, or they could not join as friends.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account