The Light of God Compared to Fire (1)

The presence of the heavenly fire:
(1) If there be any holy fire in us, it is kindled from heaven by the Father of lights, who 'commanded the light to shine out of darkness' (2Cor. 4:6). The light in us and the light in the word spring the one from the other and both from the one Holy Spirit. In every converted man, God puts a light into the eye of his soul proportionable to the light of truths revealed to him.
(2) The least divine light has heat with it in some measure. Light in the understanding produces heat of love in the affections. In the measure that the sanctified understanding sees a thing to be true or good, in that measure the will embraces it. A little spiritual light is of strength enough to answer strong objections of flesh and blood, and to see beyond all earthly allurements and opposing hindrances, presenting them as far inferior to those heavenly objects it beholds. All light that is not spiritual, because it lacks the strength of sanctifying grace, yields to every little temptation. This is the reason why Christians that have light that is little for quantity, but heavenly for quality, persevere, when men of larger intellects sink.
(3)Where this heavenly light is kindled, it directs in the right way. For it is given for that use, to show us the best way, and to guide us in our passages of life. We must, therefore, walk by his light, not the blaze of our own fire. God must light our candle (Psa. 18:28) or else we will abide in darkness. Those sparks that are not kindled from heaven are not strong enough to keep us from lying in sorrow, though they make a greater blaze than the light from above, as madmen do greater things than sober men, but by a false strength. 'The light of the wicked shall be put out' (Job 18:5). The light which some men have is like lightning which, after a sudden flash, leaves them more in darkness. A little holy light will enable us to keep Christ's word, and not deny his name.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 38-40 [42-44]
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