light formally consists, is immediately by the Spirit of God. As for
instance, that notion that there is a Christ, and that Christ is holy
and gracious, is conveyed to the mind by the Word of God; but the
sense of the excellency of Christ by reason of that holiness and
grace, is nevertheless immediately the work of the Holy Spirit.

This is the most excellent and divine wisdom that any creature is
capable of. It is more excellent than any human learning; it is far
more excellent than all the knowledge of the greatest philosophers or
statesmen. Yea, the least glimpse of the glory of God in the face of
Christ doth more exalt and ennoble the soul than all the knowledge of
those that have the greatest speculative understanding in divinity
without grace. This knowledge has the most noble object that is or
can be, viz., the divine glory or excellency of God and Christ. The
knowledge of these objects is that wherein consists the most excellent
knowledge of the angels, yea, of God himself.

This knowledge is that which is above all others sweet and joyful.
Men have a great deal of pleasure in human knowledge, in studies of
natural things; but this is nothing to that joy which arises from this
divine light shining into the soul. This light gives a view of those
that are immensely the most exquisitely beautiful, and capable of
delighting the eye of the understanding. This spiritual light is
the dawning of the light of glory in the heart. There is nothing so
powerful as this to support persons in affliction, and to give the
mind peace and brightness in this stormy and dark world.

This light is such as effectually influences the inclination, and
changes the nature of the soul. It assimilates the human nature to the
divine nature, and changes the soul into an image of the same glory