Wesley Corpus

that, not the desire of Adam, but the Lord God, made this tree to grow, as well as the tree of life? And when was it that God gave him that solemn warning, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die?” (Verse 17.) Not so soon as that tree was brought forth; but when Adam was put into the garden. “At first, all the natural properties of man’s creaturely life were hid in God, just as the natural qualities of darkness are hid till glorified by the light.” (Spirit of Love, Part II. p. 181.) Nay, were they not sufficiently hid by the heavenly man? Need they be hid over and over? “But when man fell, all these properties broke forth, just as the darkness, when it has lost the light, must show forth its own coldness, horror, and other uncomfortable qualities.” Exemplum placet !” But, are either coldness or horror natural qualities of darkness? If so, they must be insepar able from it. But who will affirm this? “Darkness, though contrary to light, is yet absolutely necessary to it. Without this, no manifestation or visibility of light could possibly be.” This is absolutely new and surprising. But how is it to be proved? Thus: “God dwelleth in the light which no man can approach. Therefore, light cannot be manifested to man but by darkness.” (Page 189.) Ah, poor consequence I Would not the same text just as well prove transubstantiation? “Light and darkness do everything, whether good or evil, that is done in man. Light is all power, light is all things and nothing.” (Ibid.) I cannot conceive what ideas you affix to the terms light and darkness. But I forget. You except against ideas. Can you teach us to think without them? Once more : You say, “Darkness is a positive thing, and has a strength and a substantiality in it.” (Page 182.) I have scarce met with a greater friend to darkness, except “the illuminated Jacob Behmen.” But, Sir, have you not done him an irreparable injury? I do not mean by misrepresenting his sentiments; (though some of his profound admirers are positive that you misunderstand and murder him throughout;) but by dragging him out of his awful obscurity; by pouring light upon his venerable darkness.