True Christianity Part 56

For the end designed by G.o.d in sending crosses upon them, being answered, he was pleased immediately to release them.

5. The last comfort under the cross is, that thou canst not be hurt by it, unless it be by thine own fault, by being fretful and impatient under it.

Thou art very much in the wrong, if thou thinkest thyself injured by this or that man; they cannot hurt thee if thou keep thy mind steady and even under its burden. Be a.s.sured, that so long as thou art master of thyself and thy pa.s.sions, the whole world can do thee no harm. If thou wouldst be safe, then, against the a.s.saults of thine enemy, answer not again; be silent, even as a dead man, in his grave. Every calumny and reproach which the world shall cast upon thee, shall be as rays of light, encircling thy head with a crown of glory. How glorious are the three degrees of patience, in which true victory consists! The first is, to suffer without murmuring. The second is, not only to suffer patiently, but even to wish for suffering for Christ's sake, from a pure love of him. The third is, to rejoice in suffering; and this is the most powerful and the greatest victory of all.

BOOK IV.

Preface To The Fourth Book.

All Creatures Are Messengers Of G.o.d, Intended To Lead Us To G.o.d.

_By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or princ.i.p.alities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist._-COL. 1:16, 17.

The eminent prophet Moses exhibits to us two powerful witnesses of G.o.d, in the book of Creation. The first is the universe; the second is the inferior world, that is, Man. Both of them, the universe and the heart of man, furnish glorious testimony in the Scriptures, by which the Creator and Preserver of all things is revealed, and also formed in our hearts.

2. We shall, therefore, introduce in this Book the testimony of both, that is, first, of the universe, and secondly, of the inferior world. Thus we shall learn that all creatures are, as it were, the guides and messengers of G.o.d, whereby we are to be brought to Christian knowledge, and also to G.o.d in Christ.

3. It is therefore unnecessary to attempt to prove that this Book also belongs to True Christianity, although there are some who might entertain a different opinion. If they desire additional evidence, they may find it in the pa.s.sage quoted above (Col. 1:16, 17), and also in the Introduction of the Gospel according to St. John, and in very many pa.s.sages of the Old and the New Testaments. Let them consider specially Psalms 19; 104; 139; and the words of St. Paul in Rom. 8: 22, concerning the groaning of the whole creation, and in 1 Cor. 15:42-52, concerning the resurrection of the dead; in that case they will judge me with more gentleness and favor. And they will also a.s.sent to the Saviour's own method of teaching, who used to explain and demonstrate to his disciples and followers the mysteries of his kingdom and of true Christianity, by beautiful ill.u.s.trations taken from the book of nature. But if they oppose the very Sacraments themselves, which are so many witnesses and seals of divine grace taken from the great book of nature, then I refer them to St. Ambrose, Basil, Theodoret, and others, who have written largely and learnedly upon the six days' creation.

4. Thus much may suffice in defence of my method and design; to which I beg leave to subjoin only this admonition, as the great argument of the whole, namely, that it is the duty of a true Christian to use G.o.d's creatures to his honor and glory, so that G.o.d in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. Observe the method by which the creatures lead us unto G.o.d. An indulgent father invites his children to come to him; and if they are backward, offers them an apple or some other engaging present. This he gives, not that the child should be in love with the present, but be induced by it to be more fond of the giver. Just so G.o.d deals with us; he invites us by all the engaging invitations and promises of the Gospel; and not content with that, he offers us many great and n.o.ble gifts, "doing us good, and giving us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." Acts 14:17. All these blessings are so many messengers sent from G.o.d to draw us to himself, and to instruct us how to taste the goodness of the Giver and Creator in that of the creature.

6. But so perverse is man, that his heart is set upon his gold and silver, his houses, estates, honors, and pleasures, which, however good in their kind, are yet in the sight of G.o.d of no value; they are only given us by G.o.d, to draw us to himself. For this reason it was, that G.o.d made man so needy and helpless a creature, that by the variety of his blessings and mult.i.tude of his benefits, he might draw him to himself, and teach him by these various instances of his love and goodness, that all the comfort and sweetness which he tastes in the creature, really proceeds from the Creator; and that he alone is able to comfort, relieve, and support us, when these perishing worldly comforts forsake and leave us.

7. But the greatest of all G.o.d's messengers, the most excellent of all his gifts, is the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of G.o.d, in whom are all the fulness and perfection of divine love and goodness. His mercy is over all his works, and "by him all things were made." John 1:3. "By him all things consist." Col. 1:17. "He upholdeth all things by the word of his power." Heb. 1:3.

8. Having said thus much by way of preface, I begin the First Part of this Book, treating in general of the six days of creation, to promote the knowledge, glory, and praise of G.o.d.

9. Of man, we shall speak more particularly in the Second Part; and I intreat my readers to read the _Conclusion_ to my Second Book, before they begin to judge me. For I again protest and declare that I desire my writings to be understood in accordance with the Symbolical Books of the Church of the Augsburg Confession, and in no other sense.

Part I.

Treating Of The Works Of The Six Days Of Creation, In General.

Chapter I.

Of Light, The Work Of The First Day.

_G.o.d said, Let there be light; and there was light.-He covereth himself with light as with a garment.-G.o.d is light, and in him is no darkness at all._-GEN. 1:3; PS. 104:2; 1 JOHN 1:5.

In those words in Job 38:19-"Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof?" it is intimated that the nature of light is very difficult to be explained, and that its original is not to be comprehended by finite understandings. For though we know something of it by means of sight, yet it is but little; however, let us employ that little to promote the glory of G.o.d.

2. First, then, we say that light is a n.o.ble, subtle, and pure principle, separated from the darkness in the morning of the creation, when G.o.d "commanded the light to shine out of darkness." 2 Cor. 4:6. By this the world is enlightened and comforted, and all its beautiful variety is distinctly known and apprehended. By this, as some think, the light of life was conveyed into the great world, incorporating itself with every creature. From this pure brightness and glorious splendor, light and beauty flowed into the sun, const.i.tuting it thereby the great luminary of the day, which it governs and directs. Jer. 31:35. Whence, also, the Creator himself calls the light _day_. Gen. 1:5, 14.

3. But as it is the duty of a Christian to contemplate the works of G.o.d with spiritual eyes, so as therein to see the Creator, and by the work be led to praise the Maker; let us take a nearer view of this subject, and see how the light and the sun bear witness of G.o.d and Christ.

4. And the first conclusion that naturally presents itself is this: If G.o.d created so beautiful, refreshing, enlivening, clear, and shining a light; how much more lovely, comfortable, and refreshing a light must _He_ be _himself_? Therefore, the commentator upon St. Dionysius, to the question, "Why G.o.d first of all created light?" answers-Because from his own essential light, the visible light almost naturally proceeds, as that which bears the nearest resemblance to his own nature; and therefore he calls light, a little after, "the image of the goodness of G.o.d;" adding, that the light in G.o.d was transcendent and above comprehension; in angels and men, intelligible; in the sun, visible.

5. And, whereas G.o.d made the light, in order that the true external form and beauty of the creatures might be distinctly seen and apprehended, it follows that there is also another secret or concealed light, by which the internal form of the creatures may be likewise known, and from which nothing can be hidden. And this light is the eternal wisdom of G.o.d, which, being compared with the natural and created light, has been fitly called the brightness of the everlasting light.

6. Of this St. Dionysius writes in these words. "As the visible light directs, governs, and fills the visible world; so the incomprehensible and heavenly light, fills and enlightens all heavenly spirits. It also purifies the soul from darkness and error, and brings it into communion with the light of G.o.d. It is at first no more than a twilight, or faint glimmering of light; but when it is tasted, loved, and desired, then, in proportion to our love, it increases more and more unto the perfect day.

Wherefore this transcendent light exceeds all lights, being, as it were, the centre and fountain of them all. From its fulness it enlightens all spirits; and, being the original of all light, it comprehends under it all the degrees of spiritual, angelical, rational, and natural light. And as ignorance separates deluded souls from the light; so the presence of this divine light, collects, unites, perfects, and delivers from ignorance and error, all that are enlightened by it: it converts them to the truth, reducing their various imaginations to the standard of pure and simple truth, and fills their souls with pure and uniform light." Thus far St.

Dionysius.

7. In the light of the sun, also, shines forth the pure, deep, and ardent love of G.o.d. 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. It was for our sakes, therefore, that he created it; so that every ray of light proceeding from the sun, is indeed a ray of divine love towards mankind.

8. And as the eternal wisdom of G.o.d is likewise a bright sun, clearly discovering his mercy and beneficence; therefore, according to the nature and properties of the visible sun and light, it may also be called, an image of the divine goodness.

9. The created light determines the order, 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.

10. The created light, by its brightness and splendor, causes everything to turn to it; so the goodness of G.o.d draws all things to itself, as the centre and principle of all things.

11. The light of the sun is pure and spotless; so is the love of G.o.d towards mankind. Hence also the divine wisdom, being a spotless light, is, agreeably to this property of the sun, the spotless mirror of the divine majesty.

12. As the light flows plentifully and freely from the sun; so the love of G.o.d descends plentifully upon us. As the sun shines freely upon all, without respect of persons; so the divine love overflows upon all mankind.

As the light proceeds from the nature and essence of the sun; so does the love of G.o.d flow from his very nature and essence.

13. Moreover, as G.o.d created the external light for the world and visible bodies; so it is worth inquiring, whether he did not at the same time provide an inward and spiritual light for the soul. For G.o.d took not less care of the soul, than he did of the body. Now this light of the soul is G.o.d the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the ever blessed and undivided Trinity, by whom our understandings are enlightened through faith. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isa. 60:1.

14. Now as the sun enlightens the world, so does Christ enlighten the soul. "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9); and is, therefore, called by the prophet Malachi, "The Sun of righteousness." Mal. 4:2. St. James calls G.o.d, "the Father of lights." James 1:17. 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 G.o.d's countenance, the light of faith and all Christian virtues.

15. This light is the chief beauty and glory of the creatures. G.o.d is said to be clothed "with light as with a garment." Ps. 104:2. "The glory of the Lord" (Luke 2:9), is also the beauty of the blessed saints and holy angels. The highest majesty and glory of the elect in the other world, will consist in light and splendor. "The righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43; Dan. 12:3); which is also expressed in the appearance of the woman clothed with the sun. Rev.

12:1. Lastly, as the light is the greatest ornament of this visible world; so the everlasting light shall be the chief glory of the heavenly Jerusalem. Rev. 21:11.

16. The more light any creature has, the more n.o.ble it is. This appears from the angels, the sun, moon, stars, and precious stones. So virtue itself is a most glorious light, and all the redeemed in the next world, shall be full of light and glory, and accordingly shall be distinguished, as "one star differeth from another star in glory." 1 Cor. 15:41.

17. Light is refreshing: and who can doubt but, when the day of eternal light arrives, the blessed saints shall be refreshed with joy unspeakable?

Without question, the light of the everlasting Sun of righteousness shall give us infinitely more delight and joy, than this created sun, which only gives light to a world of misery and sorrow.

18. The light awakens those that sleep; so Christ, our light, rouses us from the sleep of sin. "Awake, thou that sleepest, and Christ shall give thee light." Eph. 5:14.