3. And let no one suppose it to be a thing
incredible that the brightness of the light is one thing, and the body
which is its material vehicle is another. First, in all composite
things, we distinguish substance susceptible of quality, and the
quality which it receives. The nature of whiteness is one thing,
another is that of the body which is whitened; thus the natures differ
which we have just seen reunited by the power of the Creator. And
do not tell me that it is impossible to separate them. Even I do
not pretend to be able to separate light from the body of the sun; but
I maintain that that which we separate in thought, may be separated in
reality by the Creator of nature. You cannot, moreover, separate
the brightness of fire from the virtue of burning which it possesses;
but God, who wished to attract His servant by a wonderful sight, set a
fire in the burning bush, which displayed all the brilliancy of flame
while its devouring property was dormant. It is that which the
Psalmist affirms in saying “The voice of the Lord divideth the
flames of fire.”
Ps. xxix. 7. Thus, in the
requital which awaits us after this life, a mysterious voice seems to
tell us that the double nature of fire will be divided; the just will
enjoy its light, and the torment of its heat will be the torture of the
wicked.