True Christianity Part 57

19. The light directs the traveller in his way: so saith 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; 13:46.

20. Moreover, as light has a vital power in it; so in Christ, our light, "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." Ps. 27:1.

21. As the light cannot be seen but by itself; so G.o.d cannot be known but by Himself: "In thy light shall we see light." Ps. 36:9.

22. As the external light chases away the darkness, and the spirits of darkness; so Christ, who is the light of G.o.d in us, chases away unbelief, and all the works of darkness and Satan. G.o.d must speak the word in us, as he did at the first creation, "Let there be light!" or we shall for ever remain in darkness. This made the Psalmist say, "Thou wilt light my candle; the Lord will enlighten my darkness." Ps. 18:28. "To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death." Luke 1:79. "I saw an angel come down from heaven; and the earth was lightened with his glory." Rev. 18:1.

23. When the daylight is gone, the moon, regent of the night, arises with a pale l.u.s.tre: so, without the light of Christ, man is nothing but darkness; and the boasted light of reason is but dim obscurity.

24. And as he would be called foolish, who preferred being enlightened by the moon, rather than by the sun; so are they much more foolish, who prefer the wisdom of this world, to the eternal wisdom of G.o.d in Christ Jesus. And as none but a madman would make use of the light of a candle in suns.h.i.+ne; so no man in his senses would think himself more enlightened by worldly wisdom, than by the divine wisdom. Strange madness! that a man should expect more light from the creature, than from the Creator, the Father of lights, G.o.d blessed for ever! Whosoever duly apprehends my meaning, has in him the beginning of the divine, eternal, and heavenly wisdom, which is the subject of the whole 119th Psalm.

25. As the sun is the ornament of heaven, so Christ is the ornament of his church, and of the new heaven, and new earth in their future glory, where it will be manifested to all the elect, that he is "the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person." Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15.

26. As dwellings are pleasant, in proportion as they receive the light, so "G.o.d dwelleth in light." 1 Tim. 6:16. And the heavenly Jerusalem is described as full of sweet and refres.h.i.+ng light. "It hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to s.h.i.+ne in it: for the glory of G.o.d enlightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Rev. 21:23.

27. Ah 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, that can be hidden from the light of divine wisdom. Heb. 4:12, 13.

Hence the Psalmist says, "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance." Ps. 90:8. And "Thou understandest my thought afar off." Ps. 139:2.

28. As the light communicates itself to all creatures, and diffuses itself over the world; so G.o.d communicates himself to all creatures, particularly to men, delighting most of all in doing them good.

29. Lastly, the light and sun are a witness of the glorification of our souls and bodies at the resurrection. The glorification of our souls is, indeed, in some degree accomplished in this life by the Holy Spirit, according to the words of St. Paul, "We all, with open face beholding as in a gla.s.s the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18. These, however, are but the imperfect beginnings, and first glimpses of eternal happiness; but hereafter both soul and body shall be clothed with everlasting light and glory. Hence St. Paul says, "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: so also is the resurrection of the dead." 1 Cor. 15:41, 42. "They that be wise shall s.h.i.+ne as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." Dan. 12:13.

30. Of this we find an image in the transfiguration of our Lord, when "his face did s.h.i.+ne as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." Matt.

17:2. This was the heavenly brightness the splendor of the everlasting Sun. So the face of Moses shone like the brightness of the sun, so that the children of Israel could not look upon him. Exod. 34:29; 2 Cor. 3:7.

And this was the consequence of only a few days pa.s.sed in the divine presence. How great then must that glory be, which will be the result of our eternal union and converse with him! The l.u.s.tre of the face of Moses was terrible to look on, but the glory of Christ was refres.h.i.+ng and comfortable.

31. Rev. 1:14, 16. The eyes of him that had the seven stars in his hand, were "as a flame of fire." And the same Jesus Christ, who is the eternal light, shall so glorify us at the last day, that our whole bodies shall s.h.i.+ne like lightning. Matt. 6:22; Luke 11:36.

Chapter II.

Of Heaven, The Work Of The Second Day.

_See_ GEN. 1:6-8; PS. 104:6; PS. 19:1.

Who can doubt that the admirable and pure structure of heaven, with all its wonderful properties, is a strong evidence and witness of G.o.d? "What are heaven and all the beauty of nature" (says one of the ancients), "but an ill.u.s.trious mirror, in which we view the wonders of their Maker." For if G.o.d created all so pure, so glorious, and so firm, that our weak understandings cannot comprehend or explain it; how pure, how glorious, eternal, spiritual, unutterable a Being must that G.o.d be who created all?

And if He has made so glorious a heaven over men, during their short abode here; how much more ill.u.s.trious a mansion has he not reserved for us hereafter in the region of life and immortality? Hence St. Paul tells us, "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of G.o.d, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven." 2 Cor. 5:1, 2.

2. As to the stupendous height and compa.s.s of heaven, to which the earth is in comparison no more than a single point; how does it suggest to us the immense and unsearchable power and wisdom of G.o.d? "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts, than your thoughts, saith the Lord." Isa. 55:8, 9. Does not its circular roundness remind us of the eternity of G.o.d? For of both there is neither beginning nor end. Does it not also tell us of his omnipresence?

For as the heaven surrounds and encompa.s.ses all things, so does the G.o.d of heaven support and comprehend all his creatures. "Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?" Isa. 40:12.

3. And as, in a circle, no part can be called upper and lower; so G.o.d fills all things equally. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of his glory; "He is not far from every one of us; for in him we live, and move, and have our being." Acts 17:27, 28. For though there are antipodes and many other creatures under us, as is demonstrable from the figure of the earth; yet by the wonderful power of G.o.d the heaven is everywhere over our heads, and we look up directly towards it, by reason of its immensity.

4. Does not also the firmament of heaven remind us of the constant, eternal, and immutable truth of G.o.d and his Word? For who is it that supports the heaven? Where are the pillars that sustain it? Or how does it hang, but upon the word of G.o.d? "The pillars of heaven tremble," saith Job, "and are astonished at his reproof. He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it." Job 26:9, 11. And if by his word he has so strongly fixed the heavens, who can doubt that he will keep his word and promise to us forever and ever? If he support the heavens by the word of his power, doubt not but he will also support, protect, and preserve thee forever.

5. But, from this created heaven, learn to raise thy thoughts to the spiritual heaven (1 Kings 8:27), "where are fulness of joy and pleasures forever more." Ps. 16:11. This St. Paul calls "paradise, and the third heaven" (2 Cor. 12:2, 4); and "the glory into which Jesus Christ was received." 1 Tim. 3:16. This our Lord himself calls "his Father's house, where he prepares a place for us" (John 14:2); and lastly, it is called, "the heaven of heavens." 1 Kings 8:27.

6. Moreover, by meditation upon this external, transient heaven, thou mayest learn to descend into thyself, into thine own heart and soul; for there also is heaven, and the habitation of G.o.d. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15.

7. Let this external heaven lead thee to the new heaven, of which St.

Peter speaks: "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13. For though this visible heaven was created in such purity, by G.o.d, as not to be subject to corruption; yet "the heavens are not clean in his sight." Job 15:15.

Therefore, "they shall pa.s.s away," as St. Peter tells us. 2 Pet. 3:10. And "they shall perish, and wax old like a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed." Ps. 102:27. "I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were pa.s.sed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." Rev. 21:1, 5. "Behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isa. 65:17.

How beautiful, how ill.u.s.trious will be this city of G.o.d, this heavenly Jerusalem, whose builder and maker is G.o.d! Or who can declare the glory of that happy place? "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which G.o.d hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9. Hence the Evangelist St. John describes the new and heavenly city by all the precious and costly things in nature. See Rev.

21:11, 18-21. In a word, this is that heaven in which "G.o.d will be all in all." 1 Cor. 15:28.

Chapter III.

Of The Separation Of The Waters From The Dry Land, The Work Of The Third Day.

_G.o.d said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear. And G.o.d called the dry land, earth._-GEN. 1:9, 10. _The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord._-PS. 33:5; 104:24.

The earth is a heavy and gross substance, separated from the waters, and fixed by the power of G.o.d to be the receptacle of all the heavenly influences. This globe hangs in the air by the power of the Almighty, and is replenished with the vital seeds of all trees, plants, and vegetables.

2. The stupendous structure and foundation of the earth is a most wonderful witness of the power of G.o.d. For by what pillars is the earth supported? Or where are its foundations?

3. Some have disputed whether the dry land be founded in the waters; or whether, as being the heavier substance, it sink to the lowest place so as to be the foundation of the waters.

4. The patrons of the first opinion build upon these testimonies: "He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods." Ps. 24:2.

And, "He stretched out the earth above the waters." Ps. 136:6. To which may be added the testimony of St. Chrysostom, that "G.o.d laid the foundation of the earth upon the water."

5. Others a.s.sert the contrary, 1. Because the earth is heaviest, and therefore sinks to the lowest place, where it naturally remains fixed and immovable; for if the earth should move out of its place, it must move upwards, which is contrary to nature. And for this they quote, "Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever." Ps.

104:5. 2. They allege the experience of seamen, who sound the bottom of the sea; and explain those pa.s.sages of the Psalms which mention the separation of the waters of the dry land, as Moses describes it. Gen. 1:9.

6. But on what does this vast terraqueous globe depend? Who bears it up?

Where are the pillars of it? "He hangeth the earth upon nothing," (Job 26:7), saith Job. For it hangs in the midst of heaven, borne up in the air, begirt with the waters, "Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment." Ps. 104:6. The air and water support one another; the clouds, though vast ma.s.ses of water, are yet supported by the air from falling; for the power of sustaining is a property of the air. "He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not rent under them." Job 26:8.

7. The stability of the earth in the waters, and in the centre of the vast expanse of air, is a very clear argument of the divine omnipotence; "Where wast thou (saith the Lord to Job), when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who hath laid the measures thereof? Who laid the corner-stone thereof?" Job 38:4-6. Thence, we learn, that the foundation of the earth could not be comprehended by human understanding, but must be counted among the infinite wonders of Omnipotence. "Therefore," saith the Psalmist, "will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof?" Ps. 46:2, 3. And that this is an argument of the wisdom of G.o.d is plain from Prov. 8: 29, 30; where wisdom says of herself, "When he appointed the foundations of the earth, I was with him, etc."

8. And this is the earth of which the Psalmist says, "G.o.d hath given it to the children of men." Ps. 115:16. But though, as to its external form, it appear to be a hard, dead, dry, and cold ma.s.s, yet is it in truth, enriched by G.o.d with a wonderful variety of blessings, fruitful energy, and seminal virtues. These never rest; but are always active to produce fruits, adorned with agreeable forms, odors, tastes, and colors, with external signatures of their inward virtues and qualities.

9. So, then, from the earth proceed all the varieties of plants and vegetables, having exchanged their old attire for a new and delicate dress. The tattered garments of the preceding year being decayed and dead, they come forth with exquisite beauty, odor, and color, and, as it were, preach to mankind in words such as these: "Look upon us, ye unbelieving sons of men; we were dead, and are now alive again. We have laid aside our old garments and bodies, and are now renewed. Do ye also imitate us; 'put off the old man, and put on the new' (Eph. 4:22-24); being renewed in your eternal fountain and original, which is G.o.d, your Creator, in whose image ye were created. If ye do this, then in the day of the righteous judgment of G.o.d, when ye have lost your old bodies, ye shall, like us, come forth out of the earth (1 Cor. 15:42), with new bodies, clothed with immortal glory, of which our new-born beauty is but a faint resemblance. And whilst ye are in this world, take not too much thought for the body. Matt. 6:25, etc. Consider us, whom the G.o.d of nature has annually, for so many thousands of years since the first creation to this time, provided with beautiful clothing, as an argument of his bounty and goodness. Consider our virtues and qualities, which are given not for our, but for your benefit; we bloom and blossom, not for our good, but yours; yea, the blessing of G.o.d blossoms through us."

10. Among the vegetables, also, a man may discern many thousands of witnesses of the goodness and omnipotence of G.o.d. Here we have a perfect collection of drugs and simples, an admirable and complete herbal; yea, a living one, not furnished with faint draughts and dead pictures; but graved with living characters and impressions, to be read by every curious spectator, but not to be fully understood by any, except by Him that made them. And till we come fully to understand their divine signatures, we cannot so perfectly know the wonders of Providence contained under them.

11. Every herb and plant has its proper signature, which is nothing less than the inscription and handwriting of G.o.d, whereby he has most wonderfully and beautifully distinguished them all according to their virtues and qualities; and in many of them, the outward form is a token of their inward virtues. The turf we tread upon is furnished both with food and medicine. Yea, in the smallest grain or seed is manifested the unsearchable wisdom of G.o.d. He has created nothing in vain, and the minutest part of the creation is not to be overlooked or despised, since we know not the thousandth part of its virtues.

12. But if from their external forms we descend to their internal, and extract their spirit by chemical processes, separating that pure essence, which being full of high medicinal virtue, is lodged by G.o.d in the outward body, as a diamond in a casket, then, indeed, we shall truly taste the goodness of G.o.d in the virtues of his creatures, and bless him with a grateful heart, for the many comfortable medicines which he has provided for miserable man.

13. Consider, moreover, how the bountiful Creator has provided not only for man, but also furnished "food for all flesh." Ps. 136:25; 145: 15. He causeth the gra.s.s to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of men, "that he may bring forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man." Ps. 104:14, 15. So that we may properly call the earth the treasury or storehouse of G.o.d, in which are laid up a variety of blessings both for man and beast: upon which account the Psalmist says, "the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." Ps. 33:5.