XXXVII. And as I know of two kinds of fire,
so also do I of light. The one is the light of our ruling power
directing our steps according to the will of God; the other is a
deceitful and meddling one, quite contrary to the true light, though
pretending to be that light, that it may cheat us by its
appearance. This really is darkness, yet has the appearance of
noonday, the high perfection of light. And so I read that passage
of those who continually flee in darkness at noonday; Isa. xvi. 3. for this is really night, and yet is thought
to be bright light by those who have been ruined by luxury. For
what saith David? “Night was around me and I knew it not,
for I thought that my luxury was enlightenment.” A strange paraphrase
of the last clause of Ps.
cxxxix. 11, in the
LXX., “And I said, then the darkness
shall swallow me, and night is enlightenment in my
luxury.” But such are they, and in this
condition; but let us kindle for ourselves the light of
knowledge. Thus
LXX. in Hosea x. 12, where we read “Break up your
fallow ground.” This will be
done by sowing unto righteousness, and reaping the fruit of life, for
action is the patron of contemplation, that amongst other things we may
learn also what is the true light, and what the false, and be saved
from falling unawares into evil wearing the guise of good. Let us
be made light, as it was said to the disciples by the Great Light, ye
are the light of the world. Matt. v. 14. Let us be
made lights in the world, holding forth the Word of Life; Phil. ii. 15, 16. that is, let us be made a quickening power
to others. Let us lay hold of the Godhead; let us lay hold of the
First and Brightest Light. Let us walk towards Him shining,
before our feet stumble upon dark and hostile mountains. Jer. xlii. 16. While it is day let us walk honestly
as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and
wantonness, Rom. xiii. 13. which are the
dishonesties of the night.