PETER BALLING The Light upon the Candlestick

Wh ile t h is p a m p h le t is p r ovid e d fr e e
o f c h a r g e , Th e Q u a k e r U n i v e r s a l i s t
F e llo w s h ip
w o u ld
a p p r e c ia t e
you r
c o n t r ib u t io n s t o c o ve r o u r p u b lic a t io n
e x p e n s e s . To m a k e a c o n - t r i b u t i o n ,
s u b s c r ib e t o p r in t e d ve r s io n s o f o u r
p u b lic a t ion s , or d e r s e le c t e d p a m p h le t s , or
t o a s k q u es t ion s , con t a ct :
P u b lic a t io n s
Q u a k e r U n ive r s a lis t F e llo w s h ip
Rou t e 1 , Box 2 8 -3
Millb or o, VA 2 4 4 6 0
e
m
a
i
l
fr ie n d s @u n ive r s a lis t fr ie n d s . o r g

2
PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

THE QUAKER UNIVERS ALIS T FELLOWS HIP

is com p os ed of s eek er s , m a in ly, b u t n ot exclu s ively
m em b er s of t h e Religiou s S ociet y of Fr ien d s . Q UF s eek s t o
p r om ot e op en d ia logu e on it s is s u es of in t er es t . It wr it es in
it s s t a t em en t of p u r p os e:
Wh ile b ein g con vin ced of t h e va lid it y of ou r
own r eligiou s p a t h s , we n ot on ly a ccep t b u t r ejoice
th a t oth ers fin d va lid ity in th eir s p iritu a l tra d ition s ,
wh a t ever t h ey m a y b e. E a ch of u s m u s t fin d h is
or h er own p a t h , a n d ea ch of u s ca n b en efit for
t h e s ea r ch of ot h er s .
In t h e s elect ion of b ot h it s s p ea k er s a n d m a n u s cr ip t s ,
Q UF t r ies t o im p lem en t t h os e id ea s .

An ext r a ct fr om S p iritu a l Reform ers of th e 1 6 th a n d 1 7 th

Cen tu ries , b y Ru fu s M. J on es , McMilla n & Co., Lt d ., Lon d on ,
1 9 1 4 is u s ed wit h p er m is s ion .
QUF 1 9 9 2
Rep u b lis h ed elect r on ica lly 2 0 0 5 b y Q UF
www.qu a k er u n iver s a lis t .or g

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

Notes:

t h e flow of in flu e n c e wa s n ot lin e a r b u t c ir c u la r , wit h

Q u a k er s , Collegia n t s a n d S p in oza a t t h e s er vice of on e
a n ot h er in h u m a n k in d s u n en d in g p u r s u it of wa ys t o t h in k
a b ou t t h e n a t u r e of t h e In effa b le Ot h er . We m a y h op e t h a t
s om e fu t u r e s ch ola r will s olve t h e m a jor r em a in in g p u zzle
p r es en t ed b y Th e Ligh t u p on th e Ca n d les tick : wh o d ecid ed
t o p u t Willia m Am es s n a m e t o Pet er Ba llin gs wor k , a n d
wh y?
Kin gd on S w a y n e / S a lly Rick erm a n

In S pin oz a s Ea rlies t Pu blica tion cit ed in t h e p r efa ce, S ign er

d id t h e a n a lys is a n d com p a r is on of t h e E n glis h a n d it s
Heb r ew t r a n s la t ion a s well a s t h e qu a lit y of t h e Heb r ew.
Pop k in , h owe ve r , in t h e In t r od u c t ion , wr ot e of t h e
r e s e a r c h in t o t h e r e la t ion s h ip s of t h e p a r t ic ip a n t s .
Th er efor e we r efer t o Pop k in on ly in t h is d is cu s s ion .
Th e W orld Tu rn ed Up s id e Dow n , Ch r is t op h er Hill (Lon d on
1 9 7 2 ), ch a p t er 1 0 , p p . 1 8 6 -2 0 7 .

27

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PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
Trea tis e a s in d ica t in g a clea r Q u a k er in flu en ce on S p in oza :
He wh o fir m ly b elieves t h a t God , ou t of m er cy
a n d gr a ce with wh ich h e d ir ects a ll th in gs , for gives
t h e s in s of m en , a n d wh o feels h is love of God
k in d led t h er eb y, h e, I s a y, d oes r ea lly k n ow Ch r is t
a ccor d in g t o t h e S p ir it a n d Ch r is t is in h im .
God , or t h e E xem p la r of t r u e life, m a y b e,
wh et h er fire or s p irit or ligh t, or t h ou gh t or wh a t
n ot ...
Pop k in s d is cover y t h a t Fis h er a n d S p in oza wer e b ot h
a s s ocia t ed wit h A Lov in g S a lu ta tion a d d s weigh t t o t h e
a s s u m p tion th a t S p in oza wa s d ir ectly in flu en ced b y Fis h er s
wor k .
Als o n oted b y Pop k in wa s a m a rk ed s im ila rity of con cep t
b e t we e n Th e Ligh t u p on th e Ca n d le s tick a n d S p in oza s
Im provem en t of th e Un d ers ta n d in g, wh ich h e a t t r ib u t es t o
S p in oza s in flu en ce on Ba llin g a n d , t h r ou gh t h is t r a ct , on
E n glis h Q u a k er is m .
F in a lly, Pop k in s r e s e a r c h a d d s s t r e n gt h t o Ru fu s
J on es s con clu s ion , cit ed in t h e Prefa ce, t h a t t h e Collegia n t s
wer e a ccep t ed b y E n glis h Q u a k er s a s fellows of t h e s p ir it .
Alt h o u g h t h e r e w a s t h is c lo s e a s s o c ia t io n a n d
c o m m u n ic a t io n a m o n g t h e s e va r io u s g r o u p s , a ll in
Am s ter d a m wa s n ot s weetn es s a n d ligh t. Ad a m Bor eel, ch ief
of th e Collegia n ts , a n d Peter S er r a r iu s , a fellow Millen a r im n ,
wer e in d is p u t e wit h Q u a k er s on s om e is s u es . In a d d it ion ,
t h er e wa s a ls o p r es en t in Am s t er d a m a loya l follower of
J a m es Na ylor , t h e gr ea t es t em b a r r a s s m en t t o t h e you n g
Q u a k er m is s ion . Her n a m e wa s An n Ca r gill. S h e wa s s o
d is r u p tive of Qu a k er a ctivity in Am s ter d a m th a t Ca ton wr ote
t o Ma r ga r et Fell t h a t t h a t wick ed wom a n t h a t wen t ou t
fr om t h e Tr u t h wa s ca u s in g a ll s or t s of p r ob lem s .
Retu rn in g to ou r m a in th em e, it s eem s righ t to con clu d e
th a t th e in tera ction a m on g Qu a k ers , Collegia n ts a n d Sp in oza
wa s of s u b s t a n t ia l m u t u a l b en efit . It a ls o s eem s clea r t h a t

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

PREFACE
Un ive r s a lis t id e a s a r e fou n d in a b u n d a n c e in t h e
w r i t i n g s o f e a r l y F r i e n d s . Th e i r r e d i s c o v e r y a n d
d is s em in a t ion a id s m od er n Fr ien d s in t h eir s ea r ch for a
b et t er u n d er s t a n d in g of t h eir r oot s .
Win ifr ed Bu r d ick , wh o s h a r es ou r in t er es t in Q u a k er
u n iver s a lis m , in s p ir ed ou r s ea r ch for t h is t r a ct . A s t u d en t
of s ixt een t h a n d s even t een t h cen t u r y r eligiou s lit er a t u r e,
s h e r em em b er ed it a s s t r on g s u p p or t for t h e p r op os it ion , a s
exp r es s ed b y Ru fu s J on es In h is S p iritu a l Reform ers in th e
S ixteen th a n d S even teen th Cen tu ries , t h a t
Q u a k er is m is n o is ola t ed or s p or a d ic r eligiou s
p h en om en on . It is d eep ly r oot ed in a fa r wid er
m ovem en t t h a t h a d b een a ccu m u la t in g volu m e
a n d p ower for m or e t h a n a cen t u r y b efor e Geor ge
Fox h a d b ecom e a p r op h et of it t o t h e E n glis h
p eop le.
Th e t r a ct b r ou gh t t o E n glis h Q u a k er is m of t h e 1 6 6 0 s
a r ep r es en t a t ive p r od u ct of t h e r eligiou s fer m en t in t h e Low
Cou n t r ies evok ed b y t h e r eligiou s p h ilos op h y of Des ca r t es
(1 5 9 6 -1 6 9 0 ) a n d S p in oza (1 6 3 2 -1 6 7 7 ), a n d it u s ed a t h en
well-k n own Q u a k er n a m e (Willia m Am es ) a s t h e n a m e of it s
a u t h or . It s p r ob a b le a u t h or wa s Pet er Ba llin g, a m em b er of
a gr ou p of s p ir it u a lly-m in d ed Du t ch in t ellect u a ls , k n own
a s Collegia n t s , wit h wh om S p in oza lived fr om 1 6 6 0 t o 1 6 6 3 .
New res ea rch b y s ch ola rs Rich a rd Pop k in a n d Mich a el Sign er
s h ows a n even s t r on ger con n ect ion wit h S p in oza . In t h eir
b ook r ela t in g t h e t r a n s la t ion of a let t er fr om Ma r ga r et Fell
t o t h e J ews , 1 , 2 Ba llin gs t h es is is t h a t in wa r d exp er ien ce of
t h e Divin e is t h e on ly a u t h en t ic p a t h t o Tr u t h . It is a p a t h
a cces s ib le t o a ll p er s on s , a n d is t h e s t a n d a r d b y wh ich a ll
r eligiou s cla im s , in clu d in g t h os e of S cr ip t u r e, a r e t o b e
ju dged.

4
PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
Ca lled Th e Ligh t u pon th e Ca n d les tick , or Lu cern a s u per
Ca n d e la b ru m , t h e t r a c t w a s w r it t e n in 1 6 6 2 . It w a s
t r a n s la t ed in t o E n glis h fr om t h e or igin a l La t in b y Ben ja m in
Fu r ley, a Q u a k er m er ch a n t of Colch es t er t h en livin g in
Rot t er d a m . It wa s a d op t ed a s a Q u a k er t r a ct a n d cir cu la t ed
a s s u ch in E n gla n d , wit h a t it le p a ge, r ep r od u ced h er e, t h a t
con n ect ed it on ly va gu ely wit h it s a u t h or .
Willia m Am es (? -1 6 6 2 ), t h e Q u a k er a u t h or wh os e
n a m e a p p e a r s on t h e t it le p a ge of Th e Ligh t u p on th e
Ca n d les tick , h a d b een a n E n glis h s old ier a n d a Ba p t is t , a n d
h a d join ed Frien d s in Cork , Irela n d in 1 6 5 5 . He wa s b a n is h ed
fr om t h a t cit y in 1 6 5 7 a n d s p en t m os t of t h e r es t of h is life
on t h e Con t in en t . Her e, t oo, h e wa s im p r is on ed a t a cr it ica l
t im e for ou r s t or y. F or , a ft er h is b elieved m eet in g wit h
S p in oza t o en ga ge h im t o t r a n s la t e a let t er fr om Ma r ga r et
Fell (s ee E p ilogu e), h e is s u p p os ed to h a ve in vited th e J ewis h
s c h o l a r t o j o i n w i t h h i m a t m e e t i n g fo r w o r s h i p .
Un for t u n a t ely, a ccor d in g t o Pop k in , Am es wa s ja iled b efor e
t h e t wo wen t a n d s t a t es t h a t h e (Pop k in ) is cer t a in t h a t
S p in oza a t n o t im e wen t t o a m eet in g for wor s h ip . Wit h fa r
les s in for m a t ion t h a n t h is r ecen t s ch ola r s h ip , S ewel in h is
His tory of th e Ris e, In crea s e a n d Progres s of th e Ch ris tia n
People ca lled Qu a k ers (Lon d on , 1 7 2 2 ) s p ecu la ted th a t Ba llin g
m a y h a ve b een in flu en ced b y Am es p r ea ch in g, for even a t
t h e t im e of S ewels wr it in g it wa s k n own t h a t Am es h a d
s om e con t a ct wit h t h e Collegia n t s . S ewel s u gges t s t h a t
...t h er e h a ve b een con t a ct wit h s u ch a s eit h er
c o m m e n d e d t h e Q u a k e r s , o r d e fe n d e d t h e ir
d oct r in e, t h ou gh t h ey t h em s elves n ever cou ld
r es olve t o join t h em p u b licly.
We r ecr ea t e t h e t r a ct h er e in t wo ver s ion s , t h e 1 7 t h c e n t u r y or igin a l for r e a d e r s wh o e n joy t h e r u ffle s a n d
flou r is h es of th e la n gu a ge of th e p er iod , a n d a glos s b y Ru fu s

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

At t h e t im e , Am e s wa s t h e le a d e r o f t h e E n glis h
Q u a k er m is s ion in Am s t er d a m . Mu ch of t h e in for m a t ion
in t h is Ep ilogu e wa s d r a wn b y Pop k in fr om let t er s b a ck t o
E n gla n d p en n ed b y Am es or b y Willia m Ca t on , h is you n g
a s s is t a n t .
Pop k in s wor k offer s evid en ce t h a t t h er e wa s a r ich a n d
c om p le x in t e r a c t ion a m on g Q u a k e r s , C olle gia n t s , a n d
S p in oza in Am s t er d a m . S p in oza s la t er r ep u t a t ion a s on e of
t h e gia n t s of r eligiou s h u m a n is m s h ou ld n ot ca u s e u s t o
give h is in flu en ce u n d u e weigh t . Wh en h e fir s t m et Am es in
1 6 5 7 , in Am s t er d a m , h e wa s a you n g m a n of t wen t y-five,
r ecen t ly exp elled fr om h is s yn a gogu e, a n d s eek in g la n gu a ge
to exp res s u n con ven tion a l religiou s in s igh ts . Am es s a ccou n t
of h is m eet in g wit h a J ew ca u t iou s ly a void ed m en t ion of
S p in oza s n a m e. Bu t t h e J ews id ea s s t r on gly s u gges t h is
id en tity. In Pop k in s wor d s , th e J ew a t th e tim e of h is in itia l
en cou n ter with Am es h a d a lr ea d y d evelop ed a n a ffin ity, la ter
evid en t in S p in oza s wor k , for th e over a ll Qu a k er view a b ou t
t h e n eed t o k n ow Mos es , t h e Pr op h et s a n d Ch r is t in wa r d ly,
t h r ou gh t h e ligh t .
Accor d in g t o Pop k in , Q u a k er in flu en ce on S p in oza s
t h in k in g is m os t clea r in t h e wor k of S a m u el Fis h er . Fis h er
wa s t h e fir s t u n iver s it y gr a d u a t e t o join Fr ien d s . Ad ep t a t
Heb r ew a n d Gr eek , h e h a d b een a Ba p t is t m in is t er b efor e
b e c o m in g a F r ie n d in 1 6 5 4 . Ma r ga r e t F e lls A Lov in g
S a lu ta tion , a s p u b lis h ed in Heb r ew, h a d a t wo-p a ge a d d it ion
b y Fis h er , exh or t in g J ews t o con ver t .
In 1 6 6 0 Fis h er p u b lis h ed a m a s s ive wor k of Bib lica l
cr it icis m , A Ru s tic Ala ru m to th e Ra bbies , a r a d ica l a t t a ck
on t h e Pr ot es t a n t cla im t h a t t h e S cr ip t u r e is t h e Wor d of
God , a n d wh a t Ch r is t op h er Hill h a s ca lled t h e m os t r a d ica l
Bib le cr it icis m of t h e 1 7 t h Cen t u r y. 2 Ma n y of h is a r gu m en t s
a r e ech oed in S p in oza s A Trea tis e on Religiou s a n d Politica l
Ph ilos op h y (Tra cta tu s Th e ologicoPoliticu s ), p u b lis h ed t en
yea r s la t er . Pop k in cit es t h e followin g p a s s a ges fr om A

25

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PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

EPILOGUE:

Margaret Fell and Baruch Spinoza

We a r e gr a t efu l t o Rich a r d Pop k in a n d Mich a el S ign er
for in t r od u cin g t o u s a n ot h er a s p ect of t h e Q u a k er -S p in oza
con n ect ion in Am s t er d a m a r ou n d 1 6 6 0 . 1 Th eir excellen t
s c h o la r s h ip h a s a d d e d a n e w d im e n s io n t o o u r
u n d er s t a n d in g of ea r ly Q u a k er is m .
Th e s t or y b egin s wit h a Millen a r ia n vis ion r evea led t o
Ma r ga r et Fell. Bib lica l s ch ola r s of h er t im e h a d ca lcu la t ed
t h a t 1 ,6 5 6 yea r s h a d ela p s ed b et ween t h e Cr ea t ion a n d t h e
Flood . Th e n u m erologica l wis d om of th e 1 7 th Cen tu ry, wid ely
s h a red b y th ou gh tfu l p eop le in clu d in g th e Du tch Collegia n ts ,
s u gges ted th a t s om eth in g of s im ila r r eligiou s m om en t wou ld
h a p p en a r ou n d t h e yea r AD 1 6 5 6 . Ma r ga r et Fell, a m on g
ot h er s , con clu d ed t h a t t h e m os t logica l h a p p en in g wou ld b e
t h e con ver s ion of t h e J ews t o Ch r is t ia n it y. S h e a ccor d in gly
a d d r e s s e d a n e va n g e lic a l m e s s a g e , c a lle d A Lo vin g
S a lu t a t ion , t o t h e J ews of t h e wor ld . Per h a p s s h e d id s o in
th e h op e th a t it wou ld b e ea s ier for J ews to a ccep t th e Qu a k er
ver s ion of Ch r is t ia n t ea ch in g t h a n t h os e of ot h er s ect s .
Her let t er n eed ed t o b e t r a n s la t ed in t o Heb r ew a t a
t im e wh en J ews wer e lega lly exclu d ed fr om E n gla n d . S h e
s ou gh t t h e h elp of t h e Q u a k er com m u n it y in Am s t er d a m t o
fin d a t r a n s la t o r . Aft e r s o m e d iffic u lt y t h e le t t e r wa s
t r a n s la t ed , b u t t h e id en t it y of t h e t r a n s la t or h a s b een a
p u zzle. Pop k in a m a s s es p ers u a s ive evid en ce th a t it wa s n on e
ot h er t h a n S p in oza , a n d t h a t t h is t r a n s la t ion wa s S p in oza s
fir s t p u b lis h ed wor k . Willia m Am es , t h e E n glis h Q u a k er
d es cr ib ed in t h e Pre fa ce , wa s t h e p er s on wh o r ecr u it ed
S p in oza for t h e t a s k .

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

- Sally Rickerman / Kingdon Swayne

J on es for t h e r ea d er wh o wis h es t o get qu ick ly t o t h e h ea r t

of t h e m a t t er . Th e J on es p a s s a ge is ext r a ct ed fr om h is
S piritu a l Reform ers a n th e 1 6 th a n d 1 7 th Cen tu ries (p p 1 2 8 1 3 2 ; 1 9 1 4 , Ma cm illa n ). Th e in t er es t ed r ea d er will a ls o fin d
in J on es volu m e (p p . 1 2 3 -1 2 8 ) a n elu cid a t ion of t h e id ea s
of Des ca r t es a n d S p in oza u n d er lyin g Ba llin gs a r gu m en t .
Th e la t e-t wen t iet h -cen t u r y r ea d er is left t o s p ecu la t e
wh e t h e r B a llin gs t r a c t wa s p r im a r ily a p r od u c t of h is
Des ca r t es -S p in oza h er it a ge, a s J on es b elieved , or t h e cover t
a ck n owled gem en t of h is con ver s ion b y Am es , a s S ewel
t h ou gh t . Or , p er h a p s , a s t h e r ecen t evid en ce p r es en t ed b y
Pop k in a n d S ign e r in d ic a t e s , it wa s a c a s e of m u t u a l
ir r a d ia t ion . Wh a t ever t h e cor r ect h yp ot h es is , it s eem s clea r
t h a t ea r ly Fr ien d s a ccep t ed t h e t r a ct a s s p ea k in g for t h em .
Th is t en -p a ge t r a ct h a s b een s u r r ou n d ed b y u s wit h
s even p a ges of exp la n a t ion , in p a r t t o en cou r a ge t h e r ea d er
t o fin d t h e p a t ien ce t o p en et r a t e it s 1 7 t h -cen t u r y p r os e, a n d
in p a rt to s h a re ou r p lea s u re in u n ea rth in g it a n d d is coverin g
its or igin s . It is a s em in a l d ocu m en t in th e h is tor y of Fr ien d s
e ffor t s t o p e e l a wa y c e n t u r ie s of c h u r c h ly d ogm a a n d
r ed is cover t h e t r u e, a n d u n iver s a l, m es s a ge of J es u s of
Na za r et h .
We a r e gr a t efu l t o t h e la t e Mir ia m J on es Br own , Ma r y
Hoxie J on es a n d t h e Qu a k er Collect ion a t t h e McGill Lib r a r y
a t H a ver for d College for a s s is t in g u s in ou r s ea r ch for
m a t e r ia l o n t h is r e m a r k a b le t r a c t w h ic h w e a r e
r ep r od u cin g h er e wit h it s or igin a l 1 7 t h -cen t u r y s p ellin g.

E d s . Rich a r d H. Pop k in a n d Mich a el A. S ign er , S pin oz a s

Ea rlies t Pu blica tion , Va n Gor cu m 1 9 7 8 . Wolfeb or o NH.
F o r a fu lle r d is c u s s io n o f t h is r e s e a r c h a n d t h e
in volvem en t of ot h er Q u a k er s s ee t h e E p ilogu e.

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

Spiritual Reformers in the 16th and 17th Centuries

by Rufus M. Jones
Th e Ligh t u p on th e Ca n d les tick , t o wh ich we s h a ll n ow
t u r n for t h e r ip es t id ea s of t h is lit t le s ect , wa s wr it t en wh ile
S p in oza wa s livin g a m on g t h e Collegia n t s in Ryn s b u r g. It
w a s ve r y q u i c k l y d i s c o ve r e d b y t h e Q u a k e r s , w h o
im m ed ia t ely r ecogn ized it a s b on e of t h eir b on e, a n d
circu la ted it a s a Qu a k er Tra ct. It wa s tra n s la ted in to E n glis h
in 1 6 6 3 b y B. F. (Ben ja m in Fu r ley, a Q u a k er m er ch a n t of
Colch es t er , t h en livin g in Rot t er d a m ), wh o p u b lis h ed it wit h
t h is cu r iou s t it le p a ge:
Th e Ligh t u p on th e Ca n d les tick . Servin g for Ob s erva tion
of t h e Pr in cip a l t h in gs in t h e Book ca lled , Th e My s te ry of
th e Kin gd om of God , &c. Aga in s t s evera l Profes s ors , Trea ted
of, a n d w ritten by W ill Am es . Pr in t ed in Low Du t ch for t h e
Au t h or , 1 6 6 2 , a n d t r a n s la t ed in t o E n glis h b y B. F.
Th e Collegia n t a u t h or , qu it e in t h e s p ir it a n d s t yle of
S p in oza , u r ges t h e im p or t a n ce of d is cover in g a cen t r a l love
for t h in gs wh ich a r e d u r a b le a n d u n cor r u p t ib le, k n owin g
t h er eb y b et t er t h in gs t h a n t h os e t o wh ich t h e m u lt it u d e a r e
lin k t s o fa s t wit h love. We h a ve ou t gr own t h e t oyes wit h
wh ich we p la yed a s ch ild r en , t h er e is n ow n o d es ir e of
m ovin g t h er eu n t o, b eca u s e we h a ve fou n d b et t er t h in gs for
ou r m in d s ; s o, t oo, a ll t h os e t h in gs in m en , even t o old
a ge , s o m u c h d e ligh t wou ld s e e m lik e t oye s if t h e y
d i s c o v e r e d t h e t r u e Li g h t w h i c h a b i d e s fo r e v e r
u n ch a n gea b le, a n d if t h r ou gh it t h ey got a s igh t of t h os e
t h in gs wh ich a r e a lon e wor t h y t o b e k n own . Th is t r u e a n d
la s t in g ch a n ge, fr om t oyes t o t h in gs wh ich a r e d u r a b le
a n d et er n a l, ca n s om e on ly t h r ou gh a n in wa r d con ver s ion .
Wh en a n ew vis ion b egin s from with in , th en th e ou twa rd
a ct ion follows of it s elf, b u t n o m a n will p a r t wit h wh a t h e
ju d ges b es t till h e s ees s om eth in g b etter, a n d th en th e wea k er

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
Ad d t o t h is , Th a t th e k n ow led ge of God in a ll th in gs m u s t
firs t b e, b efore th e k n ow led ge of a n y crea tu re or p a r t icu la r
t h in g; s o n o p a r t icu la r t h in g wit h ou t t h is , ca n b e well k n own :
a n d con s equ en t ly is a lt oget h er u n ca p a b le t o com e t o k n ow
God b y, or cer t a in ly t o m a k e k n own h im s elf t o m a n b y.
Go t o t h en , W ith ou t t h y s elf, O m a n , t h ou h a s t n o m ea n s
t o look for , b y wh ich t h ou m a is t k n ow God . Th ou m u s t a bid e
w ith in th y s elf, to th e Ligh t th a ts in th ee t h ou m u s t t u r n t h ee,
t h er e t h ou wilt fin d it , a n d n o wh er e els e.
GOD is con s id er ed in Him s elf, n ea res t u n to th ee a n d
every m a n . He t h a t goes for t h
o f h im s e lf t o a n y C r e a t u r e , God con s id e re d in h im s e lf , is
t h er eb y t o k n ow God , d epa rts n e a re s t u n t o e v e ry m a n t h a n
h im s e lf, b e ca u s e h e p e n e tra te s
fr om G od , a n d s o m u c h t h e th e m os t in w a rd a n d in tim a te
fu r t h er , a s h e com es m or e t o p a rts of m a n , a n d is th e life of
th e in m os t s pirit, a s th e s pirit is
m is t a k e h im s elf b y it . Th is t h ou of th e s ou l, & th e s ou l of th e
m u s t s h u n , a n d t h e con t r a r y b od y : Th e re fore is h e w orth y to
m in d , viz. Min d th e Ligh t th a ts b e tu rn e d to, m in d e d , s ou gh t,
w a ited u p on , a n d fea red . Let a ll
in th ee, b y it to work , u n m ova b ly b lin d Le a d e rs th a t s a y tis n ot
God th a t a p p ea reth in th e h ea rts
a n d fa it h fu lly t o p er s ever e.
of th e w ick ed , h ea r th is ; a n d a ll
fools th a t s a y , In t h e ir h e a r t
t h e r e is n o G od .

23

22
PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
t h er e is n o m a n n er of a gr eem en t , n or a n y t h in g, in t h e
[wor d s ] b y wh ich t h ey m igh t b e ca p a b le t o d o it . Bu t a ga in , if
you flye to th e m ea n in g of wor d s , a s b ein g fit for s u ch a th in g,
t h en t h a t wh ich we s a y will m or e m a n ifes t ly a p p ea r : As p u t
ca s e for exa m p le s a k e, t h a t GOD a b ou t t o m a k e k n own
h im s elf b y wor d s , s h ou ld s a y, I AM GOD, a n d t h a t t h is
s h ou ld h e t h e s ign b y wh ich h e wou ld m a k e h im s elf k n own ,
we s ee clea r ly, t h a t it wou ld b e im p os s ib le for a m a n a t fir s t
t o k n ow God b y t h is : For if h e com p r eh en d a n yt h in g ou t of
t h e s en ce of t h e wor d s , h e m u s t n eed s for m er ly h a ve t h e
s ign ifica t ion of t h e wor d GOD, a n d wh a t h e is t o u n d er s t a n d
b y it : In lik e m a n n er if God m a k et h h is will k n own t o m a n ,
t h e k n ow led ge of God (wh ich h a t h it s or igin a l fr om t h e t r u e
Lig h t ) m u s t p re c e d e a n d c o n v in c e h im , t h a t t h a t
(Ma n ifes t a t ion ) ca n b e fr om n on e b u t God a lon e, wh er eu p on
h es s u fficien t ly a s s u r ed .
If b y Effects , (or ou tw a rd m ira cu lou s W ork s ) tis th e s a m e
t h in g; for t h es e a r e n o les s crea ted , n o les s term in a ted : An d
t h o u gh w e m igh t o b s e r ve
M a n y t h in g s m a y s e e m
s om et h in g in t h e n a t u r e of a t h in g,
Div in e Mira cle s , w h ich a re
p ro d u c e d b y a h id d e n
wh ich m igh t b e t oo d ifficu lt for t h e
con cu rren ce of m a n y n a tu ra l
p ower of a n y cr ea t u r e, wh ich we
ca u s e s : th e re fore w ith ou t
k n o w t o e ffe c t : Ye t t h is a t t h e
t h e k n o w le d g e o f G o d
p re c e d e s , n o m a n c a n
u t m os t wou ld b e a d em on s t r a t ion
d is ce rn in th is ca s e . From
t a k en fr om ou r im poten cy , a n d n ot
w h e n c e u n d e n ia b ly is
con clu d e d , Th a t th e s e ca n
fr
om
th
e
n
a
tu
re
a
n
d
a
ll
opera
tion
s
n e it h e r b e a n y s u re
o f it ; a n d
t h is
k in d
of
fou n d a tion , or ce rta in , n a y
d em on s t r a t ion ca n n ot b e cer t a in
n or p os s ib le m ea n s to b rin g
a n y t o t h e k n ow le d g e of
a n d s t a b le, t ill we wer e a b le clea r ly
God .
a n d d is tin ctly to s ee th a t th er e wa s
n ot a con cu rren cy of m a n y ca u s es t o p r od u ce s u ch a n effect ,
b u t t h a t it m u s t n eed s h a ve b een ca u s ed b y a n in fin ite a n d
u n lim ited ca u s e , wh om we ca ll God : Bu t wh o k n owet h t h is ?
Or wh o ca n d ecla r e it ?

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

yield s t o t h e s t r on ger wit h ou t a n y for cin g. Th is wh ole wor k

of con ver s ion , of t r a n s for m a t ion , of la s t in g ch a n ge, m u s t
h a ve it s or igin in s om et h in g wit h in ou r s elves . We ca n n ot
t u r n fr om t h e b a u b les a n d t oyes a n d ou r d es ir e for t h a t
wh ich is h igh in t h e wor ld u n t il a Ligh t fr om s om e s ou r ce
p la in ly s h ows u s a n et er n a l r ea lit y for wh ich we m a y h igh ly
a d ven t u r e t h e t r ya l. Th er e is , ou r a u t h or in s is t s , on ly on e
p la ce wh er e s u ch a gu id in g Ligh t cou ld a r is e, a n d t h a t is
w it h in t h e s o u l it s e lf, a s a n in w a r d a n d im m e d ia t e
k n owled ge: Tis n ot fa r t o s eek . We d ir ect t h ee t o wit h in
t h ys elf. Th ou ou gh t es t t o t u r n in t o, t o m in d a n d h a ve r ega r d
u n t o, t h a t wh ich is wit h in t h ee, t o wit , t h e Ligh t of Tr u t h ,
t h e t r u e Ligh t wh ich en ligh t en et h ever y m a n t h a t com et h
in t o t h e wor ld . Her e t is t h a t t h ou m u s t b e n ot wit h ou t t h ee,
H e r e t h ou s h a lt fin d a Pr in c ip le c e r t a in a n d in fa llib le ,
t h r ou gh wh ich in cr ea s in g a n d goin g on in t o, t h ou m a yes t
a t len gt h a r r ive u n t o a h a p p y con d it ion . Of t h is t h ou m a yes t
h igh ly a d ven t u r e t h e t r ya l. An d if t h ou h a p p en es t t o b e on e
of t h os e t h a t wou ld k n ow a ll t h in gs b efor e t h ou d os t b egin .
. . k n ow t h is , Th ou d os t t h er ein ju s t a s t h os e t h a t wou ld
lea r n t o r ea d wit h ou t k n owin g t h e Let t er s . He t h a t will n ot
a d ven t u r e t ill h e b e fu lly s a t is fied , s h a ll n ever b egin , m u ch
les s fin is h h is own s a lva t ion . We s a y t h en , t h a t we exh or t
ever y on e t u r n u n t o t h e Ligh t t h a t s in h im .
In t r u e Ca r t es ia n fa s h ion , h e d em on s t r a t es wh y t h is
Ligh t m u s t h a ve it s locu s wit h in t h e s ou l a n d n ot in s om e
ext er n a l m ea n s or m ed iu m . All k n owled ge t h a t God is b ein g
r evea led in ext er n a l s ign s , or t h r ou gh ext er n a l m ea n s ,
a lr ea d y p r es u p p os es a p r ior k n owled ge of God . We ca n ju d ge
n o d oct r in e, n o Book t o b e Divin e excep t b y s om e in wa r d
a n d im m ed ia t e k n owled ge of wh a t r ea lly is Divin e. Wit h ou t
t h is Ligh t t h e S cr ip t u r es a r e on ly Wor d s a n d Let t er s . Bu t if
we exp er ien ce t h a t t h e Book ca lled t h e Bib le in r ega r d t o
t h e Divin e d oct r in e t h er ein com p r is ed h a t h s u ch a h a r m on y

8
PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
wit h Th a t [in u s ] b y wh ich God is k n own , t h a t He m u s t
n eed s h a ve b een t h e Au t h or of it , t h er e ca n n ot r a t ion a lly b e
a n y m or e p ower fu l d em on s t r a t ion .
Th e s a m e p r in c ip le is t r u e w it h r e ga r d t o e ve r y
con ceiva b le for m of r evela t ion wh ich cou ld b e m a d e t o ou r
ou t wa r d s en s es , wh et h er b y wor d s , or b y m ir a cles , or b y
a n y ot h er vis ib le op er a t ion s . No fin it e t h in g ca n b r in g u s
a k n owled ge of God u n les s we a lr ea d y h a ve wit h in u s a
s u fficien t k n owled ge of Him t o m a k e u s a b le t o a p p r ecia t e
a n d ju d ge t h e Divin e ch a r a ct er of t h e p a r t icu la r r evela t ion ;
t h a t is t o s a y, we m u s t a lr ea d y h a ve God in or d er eit h er t o
s eek Him or t o fin d Him ; or , a s Ba llin g p u t s it , Un les s t h e
k n owled ge of God p r eced es , n o m a n ca n d is cer n Him . God
is , t h er efor e, t h e priu s of a ll k n owled ge: Th e k n owled ge of
God m u s t fir s t b e, b efor e t h er e ca n b e k n owled ge of a n y
p a r t icu la r t h in gs , a n d God m u s t b e a s s u m ed a s p r es en t in
t h e s ou l b efor e a n y b a s is of t r u t h or of r eligion ca n b e fou n d .
Th e Ligh t is t h e fir s t Pr in cip le of Religion ; for , s eein g t h er e
ca n b e n o t r u e Religion wit h ou t t h e k n owled ge of God , a n d
n o k n owled ge of God wit h ou t t h is Ligh t , Religion m u s t
n eces s a r ily h a ve t h is Ligh t for it s fir s t Pr in cip le. Wit h ou t
t h ys elf, O Ma n , h e con clu d es , t h ou h a s t n o m ea n s t o look
for, b y wh ich th ou m a yes t k n ow God . Th ou m u s t a b id e with in
t h ys elf; t o t h e Ligh t t h a t is in t h ee t h ou m u s t t u r n t h ee;
t h er e t h ou wilt fin d it a n d n owh er e els e. God is n ea r es t
u n t o t h ee a n d t o ever y m a n . He t h a t goes for t h of h im s elf t o
a n y cr ea t u r e, t h er eb y t o k n ow God , d ep a r t s fr om God . God
is n e a r e r u n t o e ve r y m a n t h a n h im s e lf, b e c a u s e H e
p en et r a t es t h e m os t in wa r d a n d in t im a t e p a r t s of m a n a n d
is t h e Life of t h e in m os t s p ir it . Min d , t h er efor e, t h e Ligh t
t h a t is in t h ee.
Th is Ligh t t h e fir s t Pr in cip le of a ll Religion is a ls o
ca lled in t h is lit t le Book b y m a n y ot h er n a m es . It is t h e
livin g Wor d , t h e Tr u t h of God , t h e Ligh t of Tr u t h ; it is

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

S cr ip t u r e fr eely b efor e a n y m a n , let h im a ls o h a ve a ll t h e

fit n es s (t h e Un iver s it ies ca n give h im ) t o look in t o in it s
p r op er La n gu a ge in wh ich it m a y h a ve b een fir s t wr it t en ,
wh a t will a ll b e wit h ou t th e Ligh t? Not h in g. Th e letters , th e
w ord s a re n ot th e S crip tu re s , b u t t h e m in d a lon e is t h e
S cr ip t u r e, a n d t h is m ea n in g ca n n ever b e t r u ly a n d ju s t ly
h it , b u t b y t h os e a lon e t h a t s t a n d in t h e s a m e Ligh t, ou t of
wh ich t h e S cr ip t u r es p r oceed ed .
Th es e a r e t h ey t h en t o wh om t h e S cr ip t u r e is a Cow itn es s a n d a s a s ea l of t h eir b ein g S on s of God : wh ile b y
exp er ien ce t h ey fin d t h em s elves , ever y on e a ccor d in g t o h is
m ea s u r e, in t h e s a m e con d ition in w h ich th e S a in ts form erly
w ere, wh o s p a k e & wr it a ll t h os e t h in gs com p r eh en d ed in
t h e B o o k o f t h e S c r ip t u r e , t h e s e t h e n h a v e t h e t ru e
u n d ers ta n d in g a n d m ea n in g of th e S criptu res , n ot t h os e t h a t
Im a gin e u n to th em s elves a m ea n in g b y op in ion a n d gu es s ,
t h r o u gh a t h o u s a n d im a gin a t io n s , w it h o u t t h e le a s t
a s s u r a n ce of n ot er r in g: wh ich b ecom es t h e ver y gr ou n d of
a ll ja n glin g a n d con t en t ion .
In fin e, a n d la s tly . Th is Ligh t in every m a n is th e m ea n s
to com e to th e k n ow led ge of God . An d
s eein g a ll ext er n a l s ign es m u s t n eed s W h e re t h e k n ow le d g e
p r es u p p os e t h is k n owled ge: t h er efor e of God is n ot, th e re a ll
e x te rn a l th in gs a re of n o
it s s e lf m u s t n e e d s b e im m e d ia t e , v a lu e . T h e re f o re t h is
wit h ou t m y ext er n a l s ign : t h a t s ign s k n ow le d ge m u s t n e e d s
m u s t p r es u p p os e s u ch a k n owled ge, firs t b e im m ed ia te, a n d
a ltoge th e r in d e p e n d e n t
is u n d en ia b le, for t h es e s ign s m u s t to a ll extern a ls .
eit h er b e w ord s or e ffe cts , w ork s or
m ira cles .
If W ord s , we s ee a t fir s t a n im p os s ib ilit y in t h e t h in g it
s elf: for Wor d s a re crea ted a n d fin ite , a n d God wh o s h ou ld
m a k e k n o w n h i m s e l f b y t h e m , W ord s t oo w e a k t o
u n cre a te d a n d in fin ite : a n d t h er efor e give th e k n ow led ge of
h er e is s o in fin it e a d iffer en ce, t h a t God .

21

20

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
b od y k n ows . Fr om t h e ver y fir s t we h ea r d iffer en ces , ever y
on e p r e t e n d s t h a t h e k n ows t h e
T h e re is b u t o n e t h in g
m a tter, a n d h a th th e tru th : On e
w h ich is u n corru p t a b le ,
h old s for t h on t h is , a n ot h er t h a t t o
w h ic h
ca n n ot
be
corru p te d , w h ich m u s t b e
u s : If n ow th e Ligh t w h ich is in every
t h e J u d g e o f a ll t h in g s
m a n th a t com es in to th e w orld , s h a ll
th a t offer th em s elves to ou r
n ot b e t h e ju d ge, wh it h er s h a ll we
tria l, w h ich a re lia b le to b e
corru p ted , a s a re a ll th in gs
go? To b elieve a ll is im p os s ib le, t o
w ith ou t u s .
r e je c t a ll, n o le s s : Wh o s h a ll b e
Th e re fore th is on e J u d ge
is u n d en ia bly w ith in m a n .
J u d ge h er e? Wh o els e ca n b e b u t th e
Ligh t wit h in u s ? F or wh a t s oe ve r
com es fr om wit h ou t , is t h e t h in g t o b e ju d ged of: Wh o t h en
fit t er ? s eein g t h is is in fa llib le.
Aga in , Is n ot t h is (t h e Ligh t) t h a t b y wh ich we m u s t s ee
a n d k n ow God , a n d s o con s equ en t ly t h a t b y wh ich we m u s t
ju d ge a ll t h in gs Divin e? Cer t a in ly t is : t h en it follows a ls o,
Th a t we ca n ju d ge of n o Doct r in e, n o Book t h a t is Divin e,
b u t b y th is Ligh t a n d ju d gin g it th ereb y to b e Divin e, it ca n n ot
b u t b e t r u ly s o. As for exa m p le, If we exp er ien ce t h a t t h e
Book ca lled th e BIBLE , in r ega r d of th e
No m a n fa rth er k n ow s
D ivin e D oc t r in e t h e r e in c om p r is e d ,
th e S crip tu re s , th e n h e
h a t h s u ch a n h a rm on y w ith th a t in
is w h a t t h e S crip t u re
s peak s .
w h ich God is k n ow n , t h a t h e m u s t
n eed s h a ve b een th e Au th or of it, th er e
ca n n ot r a t ion a lly a n y m or e p ower fu l d em on s t r a t ion b e
d em a n d ed . Wit h t h em t h a t a r e t h u s , th e S crip tu re m a y
becom e livin g a n d pow erfu l, a n d n ot a d ea d letter, a s it m u s t
n e e d s b e t o t h os e m e n wh o h a ve n o
No
oth e r
s u re feelin g of th is th in g. An d from h en ce th en
Fou n d a -t ion ca n b e
it s a p p a r e n t , s e e in g th is Ligh t m u s t
s t a n d b efor e a ll t h in gs wh a t s oever t h a t we m eet wit h fr om
wit h ou t , t h a t t h en m a n m u s t firs t of a ll be d irected to th is ,
for wit h ou t it wh a t p r ofit is t h er e (I p r a y) t o b e r ea p ed a n y
wh er e b y a n y ext er n a l s ign b u t b y it [? ] La y t h e Book of

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
Ch r is t ; it is t h e S p ir it . As a Divin e Ligh t , it r ep r oves
m a n of s in , s h ows h im th a t h e h a s s tra yed from God , a ccu s es
h im of t h e evil h e com m it s . It lea d s m a n in t o Tr u t h , even
t h ou gh h e h a s n ever h ea r d or r ea d of S cr ip t u r e; it s h ows
h im t h e wa y t o God , it gives h im p ea ce of con s cien ce in
well-d oin g; a n d , if followed a n d ob eyed , it b r in gs h im in t o
u n ion wit h God , wh er ein a ll h a p p in es s a n d s a lva t ion d ot h
con s is t . It op er a t es in a ll m en , t h ou gh in m a n y m en t h er e
a r e s er iou s im p ed im en t s wh ich h in d er it s op er a t ion s
t h e let s t o it a r e m a n ifold b u t a s s oon a s a m a n t u r n s t o
it a n d clea n s es h is in n er eye r em oves t h e let s h e
d is cover s a fir m fou n d a tion u p on wh ich h e m a y b u ild s ta b le
a n d en d u r in g t h in gs : A Pr in cip le wh er eb y h e m a y, wit h ou t
ever er r in g, gu id e t h e wh ole cou r s e of h is life, h ow h e is t o
ca r r y h im s elf t owa r d God , h is Neigh b ou r a n d h im s elf. Th e
wr it er , h a vin g t h u s d eliver ed h is m es s a ge, wis h es t o h a ve it
d is tin ctly u n d ers tood th a t h e is n ot tryin g to d ra w h is rea d ers
t o a n y n ew s ect , or t o a n y ou t wa r d a n d vis ib le ch u r ch . Go
t o, t h en , O Ma n , h e s a ys , wh oever t h ou a r t , we will n ot
d r a w t h ee off fr om on e h ea p of m en t o ca r r y t h ee over u n t o
a n ot h er , t is s om ewh a t els e we in vit e t h ee t o! We in vit e t h ee
t o S om et h in g wh ich m a y b e a m ea n s t o a t t a in t h y own
s a lva t ion a n d well-b ein g a m em b er s h ip in t h e in vis ib le
Ch u r ch .
S u ch is t h e t ea ch in g of t h is s t r a n ge lit t le b ook , wr it t en
b y t h e fr ie n d o f S p in o za , a n d r e ve a lin g t h e m a t u r e s t
exp r es s ion of t h is s lowly d evelop in g s p ir it u a l m ovem en t ,
wh ich b ega n wit h Ha n s Den ck a n d flowed u n in t er r u p t ed ly
t h r ou gh m a n y lives a n d a lon g m a n y ch a n n els a n d b u r s t
ou t fu ll flood in E n gla n d in t h e Ch ild r en of t h e Ligh t , wh o
wer e k n own t o t h e wor ld a s Q u a k er s .

10
PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

The Light upon the Candlestick

Th in gs a r e n ot for wor d s , b u t wor d s for t h in gs if
t h er efor e we u n d er s t a n d t h in gs a r igh t a n d a s t h ey ou gh t ,
b y wor d s , it m u s t b e b y s u ch a s a r e fit t o im p r in t t h e t h in gs
t h em s elves in t h os e t o wh om t h ey s h ou ld occu r , a n d t h en it
wer e en ou gh (t o m a k e k n own ou r t h ou gh t s t o ot h er s a s we
con ceive t h em ) on ly t o m a k e u s e of s u ch wor d s .
Bu t for a s m u ch a s we fin d t h e m a t t er in t h is ca s e fa r
ot h er wis e, a n d t h a t t wo m en s p ea k in g or wr it in g t h e s a m e
wor d s , m a y n ever t h eles s h a ve d iffer en t , yea , s om et im es
con t r a r y t h ou gh t s , t h e d is a b ilit y of p er for m in g t h is fit ly b y
wor d s or d is cou r s e, is clea r ly
...If w ord s a re too gros s to
in fer r ed . Nor m a y we a t a ll
won d er a t it , s eein g we k n ow e x p re s s t h e re f in e d t h ou g h t s of
m orta l m e n , h ow m u ch le s s th e n
t o wh a t a p er p et u a l ch a n ge ca n th ey b e in tru th s a id to b e th e
la n gu a ges a r e s u b ject , even in effa b le W ord of th e e te rn a l God ?
s u ch t h a t t h e ver y wor d s m a y
b e c h a n ge d fr o m t h e ir p r is t in e s ign ific a t io n . An d t h e
im p e r fe c t ion is s o gr e a t , t h a t wh os oe ve r s h ou ld h a ve
in ven t ed t h em , s u ch a s n ow t h ey a r e in u s e, we s h ou ld
cer t a in ly b elieve t h a t h e h a d lit t le or n o k n owled ge of t h os e
t h in gs t h a t a r e t h er eb y in t en d ed t o b e s ign ified . S o t h a t if
we wou ld b et t er exp r es s t h in gs u n t o a n ot h er b y wor d s a n d
s p eech es , we h a d n eed fin d n ew wor d s , a n d con s equ en t ly a
wh ole n ew la n gu a ge: Bu t t h a t wou ld b e a t oyle a n d la b ou r
in d eed .
In t h e m ea n wh ile we s ee wh a t a S ea of Con fu s ion flows
fr om h en ce t o a ll m a n k in d : For a lt h ou gh t h er e s h ou ld b e
n on e wh o s om et im es t h r ou gh ign or a n ce, a n d s om et im es b y
s u b t ilt y or wick ed n es s m igh t r es t or p er ver t wor d s con t r a r y
t o t h e m in d of t h e s p ea k er or wr it er , in s u ch a m a n n er a s
t h em s elves t h a t s o d o s h ou ld t h in k b es t for t h eir own en d s ,
fr om wh e n c e c on s e q u e n t ly a ll t h is d e c e it , s la n d e r in g,
con t en t ion , a n d t h e lik e p r oceed s : yet s o it is , t h a t h ow

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

By t h is a lon e m u s t t h e s en ce a n d m in d of h im t h a t
wou ld s ign ifie a n y t h in g b y wor d s or a n y ou t wa r d s ign , b e
com p r eh en d ed a n d u n d er s t ood . S o th a t if th e Tru th of God
b e p r es en t ed t o a m a n wh o s t a n d s n ot in t h e Ligh t of Tru th ,
t is im p os s ib le h e s h ou ld u n d er s t a n d it , a lt h ou gh h e h ea r s
a n d com p r eh en d s t h e wor d s a ft er h is m a n n er , yet h e is s t ill
fen ced off fr om it s t r u e s en ce a n d m ea n in g t h er eof.
Hen ce, t h er efor e, it is , t h a t a m on gs t s o m a n y h ea r er s
t h er e a r e s o few t h a t h a ve ea r s t o h ea r .
He t h a t h ea r s Tru th a r igh t , t h a t is , u n d er s t a n d s it well,
m u s t n ot s t a n d ou t of, b u t in t h e Tru th it s elf.
Th er efor e n eit h er is it a n y won d er t h a t a ll m en d o n ot
u n d er s ta n d a n d con ceive th os e th in gs th a t a r e b r ou gh t for th
b y t h e Ligh t. Th os e on ly t h a t s t a n d in it , a r e a lon e (a n d n o
ot h er ) ca p a b le t h er eof.
Th e ca s e b ein g t h u s , we s ee of h ow gr ea t con cer n m en t
it is con t in u a lly t o exh or t a n d excit e
Th is is th e on e a n d firs t
m en t o t u r n in t o t h e Ligh t t h a t is in th in g n e ce s s a ry .
t h em , t h a t s o t h ey m a y go on t o s u ch
a con d it ion a n d m ea s u r e t h er ein , a s t o b e fit t o u n d er s t a n d
a r igh t th e W ord , t h a t is t h e Tru th of God , b eca u s e ou t of t h is
t h er e ca n b e n ot h in g u n d er s t ood a n d con clu d ed fr om t h e
wor d s a n d wr it in gs given for t h fr om t h e Ligh t, b u t m eer
op in ion & con s equ en t ly er r or s . Th is Ligh t, Ch ris t, &c. is t h e
tru th & w ord of God , a s h a t h b een a lr ea d y s a id , a n d in ever y
wa y a p p ea r s b y wh a t we h a ve h it h er t o la id d own : For th is is
a liv in g W ord , a n d tra n s m ite th m a n from d e a th to life , is
pow erfu l, & en a bleth a m a n to bea r w itn es s of it s elf every
w h ere.
Th is is a ls o th e tru e Ru le a ccord in g u n to w h ich a ll ou r
a ction s a re to h e s qu a red .
Th is h a t h t h e p r o - e m in e n c e b e fo r e a n y Wr it in g,
S cr ip t u r e, Doct r in e, or a n yt h in g els e t h a t we m eet fr om
wit h ou t . W e a re born in to th e w orld , a n d b r ou gh t u p a s ever y

19

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PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
con t in u a l wor k , t wer e im p os s ib le t h eir la b ou r s h ou ld b e
fr u it les s , for p eop le k n owin g b et t er , wou ld b et t er d o. Wh o
r em em b er s n ot ou r you t h , h ow m u ch
Th e J u d ge m e n t b e in g
we
wer e in love t h er ewit h , a n d yet h ow
a m en d ed , th e w ill a n d
rid icu lou s is it n ow u n to u s b u t to th in k
a ffe ction s m u s t follow .
u p on it ? An d wh y? Beca u s e we n ow
k n ow t h a t wh ich we ju d ge b et t er : He re h e n ce, n ot b y for ce,
b u t ver y ligh t ly, a n d of it s elf, t h ey ca m e fr om t im e t o t im e
t o b e wor n ou t ; a n d p a s s a wa y, t h a t t h er es n ow n o d es ir e
n or m ot ion m ovin g t h er eu n t o. How m a y we t h in k t h en it
wou ld b e, if t h e S p ir it ca m e b u t on ce t o
a p p r eh en d t h os e t h in gs a r igh t wh ich
If y ou k n ow th e tru th ,
in fin it ely t r a n s cen d a ll b od ily t oyes in
t h e t ru t h s h a ll m a k e
y ou free, s a ith Ch ris t.
w o r t h ? w h ic h a r e d u r a b le a n d
u n cor r u p t ib le. S o fa r a s t h es e t oyes
t h en s h ou ld com e t o b e es t eem ed m or e glor iou s t h en a ll
b od ily t h in gs , s o m u ch t h e m or e p ower fu l wou ld b e t h e
a n n ih ila t ion of t h os e t h in gs in wh ich a ll m en , even t o old
a ge, yea , d ea t h it s elf d o t a k e s o m u ch d eligh t , a n d t h en we
m igh t h op e a n d exp ect t h a t t h os e t h in gs wh ich a r e (in d eed )
a lon e wor t h y t o b e k n own wou ld ga in en t r a n ce, & b ein g
b r ou gh t for t h in t h e Ligh t, wou ld b e a ls o own ed a n d r eceived
b y ever y on e, a ccor d in g to th e m ea s u r e in wh ich th ey s h ou ld
s t a n d in t h e s a m e Ligh t.
Hen ce fr om wit h in , t h e a m en d m en t a n d con ver s ion is
to b e wa ited for, from with in it m u s t b egin , if with fou n d a tion ,
t h e ou t wa r d t h en will follow of it s elf:
No m a n w ill pa rt w ith
Th e w e a k e s t m u s t give w a y t o t h e
w h a t h e ju d ge s b e s t,
till h e s ees s om eth in g
s t r on ge s t , a ll d e p e n d s b u t u p on t h e
b e t t e r, a n d t h e n h e
k n owled ge of s om et h in g b et t er , t o m a k e
n e e d n ot b e force d .
a t r u e a n d la s t in g ch a n ge. Th er efor e t o
h old t h is for t h t o m en , is t h e b es t t h in g we ca n give t h em .
Th is Ligh t is th e in w a rd ea r by w h ich a lon e, a n d by n o
oth er, th e voice of God th a t is th e Tru th , ca n h e h ea rd .

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

u p r igh t or p r u d en t s oever a m a n goes t o wor k in t h is m a t t er ,

h e n ever t h eles s fin d s h im s elf lia b le t o m is lea d , or t o b e
m is led .
B u t a lt h o u gh t h e c a s e b e t h u s w it h w o r d s a n d
d is cou r s es a t p r es en t in u s e, yet for a ll t h a t , t h ey a r e t h e
m os t r ea d y, a n d s o fa r a s I k n ow, t h e fit t es t m ea n s t o m a k e
k n own a ll ou r t h ou gh t s u n t o ot h er s b y: An d for t h is r ea s on
t h er efor e, t h ou gh s o m u ch con fu s ion a n d d eceit h a p p en s t o
a r is e fr om h en ce, t h a t n o m a n t h a t h a t h b u t a n y exp er ien ce,
ca n b e ign or a n t t h er eof: yet m a y we n ot (t h er efor e) b e t oo
m u c h a fr a id o f t h e m n e it h e r , a s m a n y d o m a n ife s t
t h em s elves t o b e, wh o b eca u s e t h ey h a ve s om e exp er ien ce
h er eof, a r e a p t t o b elieve we a r e a b ou t t o d eceive t h em ,
es p ecia lly if t h ey b e b u t for ewa r n ed t h er eof.
Th is , a s in m a n y t h in gs , s o it h a t h ch iefly t a k en p la ce
in t h a t wh ich is com m on ly es t eem ed for Religion : In wh ich
t is s o wit h m os t m en , t h a t t h ey will s ca r ce give a u d ien ce t o,
m u ch les s t a k e in t o con s id er a t ion a n y t h in g h eld for t h u n t o
t h em b y a n y wh om t h ey ju d ge n ot t o b e of t h eir own op in ion ,
t o a void a s t h ey im a gin e, b ein g t h er eb y d elu d ed .
Yet if t h ey wer e t h u s t owa r d s t h eir own Pa r t y, we m igh t
t h in k it wa s a n a ct of p r u d en ce, a n d t h a t t h ey wou ld s ee
wit h t h eir own eyes : Bu t n o, in n o wis e,
Fea r a n d Pa rtia lity
t
h is is t oo h a r d a t a s k : wh a t s oe ve r
a re a s n a re to m os t
com et h on t h a t s id e, is r eceived wit h
m en .
s u ch p a r t ia lit y for good a n d cu r r en t
Coyn e, a s if t h er e wer e n o d a n ger n or p os s ib ilit y of er r in g:
wh er ea s n ever t h eles s it is a ll a lik e wit h t h e on e a s wit h t h e
ot h er op in ion . It a ll d ep en d s b u t u p on a p os s ib ilit y of b ein g
n ea r es t t o t h e Tr u t h : a n d for t h e u p h old in g ever y on e h is
own op in ion , a n d d efen d in g a ga in s t ot h er s , t h er es s o m u ch
a d o, s o m u ch p a in s t a k en , s o m u ch S ch ola s t ic Lea r n in g,
s tu d y a n d d is p u tin g, th a t on e wou ld ra th er b elieve th a t th ere
wer e n o t r u e Religion a t a ll, t h en t h a t t h is s h ou ld n eed s b e
it .

11

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PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
S eein g t h en t is t h u s a t p r es en t , ca n we m u ch b la m e
t h e com m on p eop le, t h a t t h ey d es p a ir of ever b ein g a b le t o
t r im u p t h is h u r t , a n d a r e gla d wh en t h ey ca n b u t fin d a n y
t h a t a r e gr eed y of t h e Wor k , u p on wh om t h ey m a y ca s t t h e
wh ole b u r t h en ? S u r ely n o: for h e t h a t s ees b u t a lit t le clea r ly
s ees , t h a t t h er es a lwa ys con t en t ion b eh in d , a n d n o en d t ill
a m a n gr ows wea r y of it : Nor is t h e Con qu es t ju s t h is t h a t
h a th Tr u th , b u t th a t ca n b es t h a n d le h is Ton gu e. A m is er a b le
t h in g if it wer e t h is t o b e fou gh t a n d fou n d ! Bu t it is n ot s o
wit h t h e t r u e Religion .
Go t o t h en , O m a n , wh o ever t h ou a r t , we will n ot d r a w
t h ee off fr om on e h ea p of m en , t o ca r r y t h ee over u n t o
a n ot h er , t is s om ewh a t els e we in vit e t h ee t o. Len d u s b u t a
lit t le a u d ien ce: S u r ely t h ou k n owes t t h u s m u ch . Th a t a s it
is a n ext r em it y t o r eceive a ll t h in gs wit h ou t d is t in ct ion , t h a t
p r es en t t h em s elves t o u s , s o t is n o les s t o r eject a ll t h in gs
wit h ou t ju d gem en t . We in vit e t h ee t o s om et h in g wh ich m a y
b e m ea n s t o a t t a in t o t h y own s a lva t ion a n d well-b ein g: Be
a s d is t r u s t fu l, or r a t h er p r u d en t or for es igh t ed a s t h ou wilt ,
t h o u c a n s t n o t in r e a s o n
refu s e u s th y ea r in th is th in g:
Tis little w orth th a t is n ot w orth
th e tria l: Th e los s is little, th e ga in
All t h e d a m a ge t h ou c a n s t
m a y b e in va lu a b le.
p os s ib ly h a ve b y d oin g t h a t
wh ich we exh or t t h ee t o, is on ly t o h a ve t a k en a lit t le p a in in
va in , if t h a t wh ich is p r om is ed s h ou ld n ot en s u e: Wh er ea s
on t h e con t r a r y; s h ou ld it follow, t h ou m igh t es t com e t o t h e
en joym en t of a m a t t er of s o gr ea t a wor t h , t h a t wou ld n ot b e
e x c h a n ge d fo r a ll t h a t s e s t e e m e d gr e a t in t h e e a r t h .
Mor eover , t is n ot fa r t o s eek , b u t a t h a n d ; t is n igh t h ee, yea
a n d in t h y s elf. An d t h er e t h ou m a y es t exp er ien ce t h e t r ia l
of t h a t wh ich we d ecla r e, wh ich is t h e m os t cer t a in a n d s u r e
t h a t ca n b e d es ir ed .
We d ir ect t h ee t h en t o wit h in t h ys elf, t h a t is , t h a t t h ou
ou gh t es t t o t u r n in t o, t o m in d a n d h a ve r ega r d u n t o t h a t

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

An d t h is ca u s e m u s t h a ve in it wh a t s oever t h e effect
p r od u ced h a t h in it : As for exa m p le:
W h e re a n y s e e t h e re
W h ere a n y s ee, th ere m u s t n eed s b e m u s t n e e d s b e LIGHT.
L IG H T , if t h e e f f e c t o f L ig h t b e
p rod u ced , Ligh t m u s t d o it, a n d n oth in g els e.
An d t h er efor e, is it n ot a s illy t h in g t h a t a ll m en wou ld
h a ve p eop le d o t h is or t h a t a s good , a n d lea ve t h is or t h a t a s
evil, b eca u s e t h ey t ell t h em s o, wit h ou t a n y m or e a d o, or a t
b es t a s s ign in g on ly t h e a ccu s t om a r y m ot ives wh er efor e, &
t h in k t h ey h a ve r ea s on [t o], ju s t a s t h is wer e en ou gh ? Wh o
ca n s ee s u ch effect s a r e h er eb y r equ ir ed , in clu d ed in t h is
Ca u s e? Not I, for m y p a r t .
E xp er ien ce a ls o t ea ch et h u s t h e s a m e; els e h ow cou ld
it a ll p a s s a wa y in a t r a in a n d cu s t om , wit h ou t a n y fr u it ?
Th es e a re th erefore n ot th e righ t m ea n s :
T is f o lly t o e x p e c t
Bu t s u ch we m u s t en d ea vor t o fu r n is h e f f e c t s f ro m u n p eop le wit h , Mea n s fr om wh en ce Power s u ita b le Me a n s .
m a y is s u e for t h t o d o t h a t wh ich t h ey a r e
exh or t ed t o. S u ch is t h e n a t u r e of m a n , t h a t h e is for ced t o
ch u s e t h a t wh ich h e ju d get h t o b e b es t , b efor e t h e wor s t ,
a n d is a lwa ys willin g t o ch a n ge for t h e b es t .
Now if it s o h a p p en s (a s for th e m os t
N o m a n w it t in g ly
p a r t it d ot h ) t h a t a m a n ch u s et h t h e c h u s e t h h is o w n
wor s t b efor e t h e b es t , t is for t h e wa n t of h a rm , b u t b e in g
k n owled ge, a n d con t r a r y t o h is a im , a n d b lin d e d .
s o h e er r et h , n ot b ein g led b y t h e tru e Ligh t.
Her e t h en it s h ou ld b e b egu n , t is ea s ie lea d in g of a
m a n t o t h a t wh ich of h im s elf h e is d es ir ou s of: If t h os e n ow
wh o m a k e it t h eir Wor k t o t ea ch ot h er s , w ere b u t Lea d
th em s elves by th e tru e Ligh t, k n owin g
b et t er t h in gs [t h a n ] t h os e t o wh ich t h e Th e re fore to u n d e ce iv e
m u lt it u d e a r e lin k t s o fa s t wit h love, t h e ju d g e m e n t is t h e
firs t s te p .
t h ey wou ld b e a b le t o h old t h em for t h
clea r ly t o ot h er s : An d s o m a k in g it t h eir

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PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
give wa y u n t o t h e ot h er , a n d t h a t wh ich is m os t p ower fu l
p r eva ils : fr om wh en ce a ls o t h e effect s t h er eof b ecom e m os t
vis ib le. Th e LIGHT n otwith s ta n d in g, a b id es a lwa ys th e s a m e,
& th er efor e a lth ou gh m a n b y s in , th r ou gh h is love a n d u n ion
t o cor r u p t ib le t h in gs , com es t o p er is h , b e d a m n ed , a n d m is s
of h is ever la s t in g h a p p in es s , t h e Ligh t n ever t h eles s wh ich
is in ever y m a n t h a t com es in t o t h e Wor ld , a b id es for ever
u n ch a n gea b le.
Th e Ligh t is a ls o th e firs t Prin cip le of
No k n ow le d g e of
Religion . For s eein g t h er e ca n b e n o t r u e
God w ith ou t th is
Ligh t
Religion with ou t th e k n owled ge of God , a n d
n o k n owled ge of God wit h ou t t h is Ligh t, Religion m u s t
n eces s a r ily h a ve t h is Ligh t for it s fir s t Pr in cip le.
God b ein g t h en k n own b y t h is Ligh t a ccor d in g t o t h e
m ea s u r e of k n owled ge wh ich t h e fin it e & cir cu m s cr ib ed
C r e a t u r e c a n h a ve o f t h e In fin it e a n d
Th e Ligh t b e in g U n c ir c u m s c r ip t ib le C r e a t o r , m a n h a t h
fou n d , a n d God
ob t a in ed a firm Fou n d a tion , u p on wh ich h e
h ereb y k n ow n , a
s u re fou n d a tion
m a y b u ild a ll fir m a n d la s t in g t h in gs : A
is d is covered .
P r in c ip le wh e r e b y h e m a y wit h ou t e ve r
er r in g, gu id e t h e wh ole cou r s e of h is life, h ow h e is t o ca r r y
h im s elf t owa r d s God , h is Neigh b or , a n d h im s elf, a n d a ll
t h in gs els e, wh er eb y h e m a y h a p p ily a t t a in u n t o h is ch iefes t
s a lva t ion , wh ich con s is t et h on ly in Un ion w ith God . An d th u s
th is Ligh t is th erefore th e firs t Prin cip le of Religion .
W ith ou t th is Ligh t, th ere is n o pow er or a bility a t a ll in
m a n to d o a n y good .
Th i s m u s t fi r s t r a i s e h i m a n d
qu ick en h im ou t of t h e d ea t h of s in . Tis
W h e re t h e re is
folly t o exp ect a n yt h in g, wh er e n ot h in g
n oth in g to w ork ,
t h e re n o t h in g
is , th er es n o effect with ou t a ca u s e: Th er e
ca n b e w rou gh t.
m u s t b e s om e t h in g t h e n wh ic h m u s t
ca u s e a m a n t o a ct , if h e d oes a n yt h in g.

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

wh ich is wit h in t h ee, t o wit , Th e Ligh t of Tru th , th e tru e Ligh t

w h ich en ligh ten every m a n th a t com eth in to th e w orld . Her e
t is t h a t t h ou m u s t b e, a n d n ot wit h ou t t h ee. Her e t h ou
s h a lt fin d a Pr in c ip le c e r t a in a n d T is h a rd h e lp in g h im
in fa llib le, a n d wh ereb y in crea s in g a n d th a t d u rs t n ot try .
goin g on t h e r e in , t h ou m a ye s t a t
len gt h a r r ive u n t o a h a p p y con d it ion : Of t h is t h ou m a yes t
h igh ly a d ven tu r e th e tr ya l. Bu t if th ou d u r s t n ot d o s o m u ch ,
t is h a r d t o h elp t h ee. An d if t h ou h a p p en es t t o b e on e of
t h os e t h a t wou ld s t k n ow a ll t h in gs , b efor e t h ou d os t b egin ,
ye a , e ve n t h o s e t h in gs w h ic h a r e
Ma n y d es ire to k n ow a ll exp er ien ced in a con d it ion t o wh ich
t h in g s , b u t f e w t o
t h ou a r t s o m u c h a s t r a n ge r , t h a t
exp erien ce a n y th in g.
t h er es n ot h in g in t h ee h a t h s o m u ch
a greem en t th erewith , a s to com p reh en d it a ccord in g to tru th :
Kn ow th is , Th ou d os t (th er ein ) ju s t a s th os e th a t wou ld lea r n
t o Rea d , wit h ou t k n owin g t h e Let t er s .
To d es ir e t o k n ow a ll t h in gs t h a t we a r e ca p a b le of, is
good a n d la u d a b le: Bu t t o go fu r t h er , is folly. Th er e will b e
a lwa yes s om et h in g els e t o a s k , a n d ou r k n owled ge will ever
b e t oo s h or t . He t h a t will n ot a d ven t u r e t ill h e b e fu lly
s a t is fied , s h a ll n ever b egin , m u ch les s fin is h it t o h is own
s a lva t ion .
Bu t we ju d ge it n eed fu l (a s m u ch in u s lyes ) t o op en
u n t o you t h a t u n t o wh ich we d o exh or t you , t h a t p eop le
m a y u n d er s t a n d wh a t it p r op er ly is .
We s a y t h en , Th a t we exh or t ever y on e t o t u r n in t o t h e
Ligh t, th a ts in h im (We give it r a th er t h e a p p ella t ion of Ligh t,
t h a n a n y t h in g els e, ot h er wis e it s a ll
on e t o u s wh et h er ye ca ll it , Ch ris t, Tis n ot th e Na m e , b u t
th e Na tu re , v irtu e a n d
th e S pirit, th e W ord , &c. s eein g t h es e S u b s ta n ce w e s ta n d for.
a ll d e n o t e b u t o n e a n d t h e s a m e
th in g): Yet th e wor d Ligh t b ein g in a ll its n a tu r a l s ign ifica tion
s om ewh a t els e t h en t h a t wh ich we in t en d t h er eb y, we s h a ll

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PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick
t h er efor e in b r ief en d ea vou r clea r ly t o exp r es s wh a t we
in t en d u n d er t h is d en om in a t ion .
Th e Ligh t (t h en we s a y) is a clea r a n d d is tin ct k n ow led ge
of tru th in th e u n d e rs ta n d in g of
Th e LIGHT a s to m a n , w h a t
e v e ry m a n , b y w h ic h h e is s o
it is , d efin ed .
con vin ced of th e B ein g a n d Qu a lity
of th in gs , th a t h e ca n n ot pos s ibly d ou bt th ereof.
Fr om t h is d efin it ion wh ich is h er e given of t h e Ligh t,
t is clea r , t h a t it m u s t n eed s com p r eh en d in it t h e p r in cip a l
effect of s h owin g u s , a n d givin g u s t h e k n owled ge of wh a t s
Tru th a n d Fa ls eh ood , wh a t s good a n d evil: wh ich ver ily is a
m a t t er of s o gr ea t con cer n m en t , t h a t wit h ou t it m en m u s t
n eed s s wer ve u p a n d d own in con t in u a l d a r k n es s , op in ion
a n d s in , n eit h er k n owin g t r u t h a t a ll, n or d oin g a n y good ,
b u t gr op in gly, b y h a p h a za r d wit h ou t a n y cer t a in t y.
Th is Ligh t th en , Ch ris t th e Tru th , &c. is th a t w h ich m a k es
m a n ifes t a n d reproves s in in m a n , s h ew in g h im h ow h e h a s
s tra y ed from God , a ccu s eth h im of th e evil w h ich h e d oth a n d
h a th com m itted ; y ea th is is it w h ich ju d geth a n d con d em eth
h im : Aga in ,
Th is is th e p rea ch in g to every Crea tu re u n d er Hea ven ,
th ou gh th e y h a v e n e v e r re a d or
h e a rd of th e S crip tu re . Th is is it Th e n a tu re a n d op e ra tion of
w h ich lea d s m a n in to tru th , in to th e t h e Lig h t is t o m a k e
m a n ifes t, a n d to d is cover.
w a y to God , w h ich excu s eth h im in
w ell-d oin g, givin g h im p ea ce in h is Con s cien ce, y ea , b rin gs
h im in to u n ion w ith God , w h erein a ll h a ppin es s a n d s a lva tion
d oth con s is t.
Mor eover , s eein g it is p r op er ly t h e n a t u r e of t h is Ligh t
in fa llib ly t o d is cover s in a n d evil, to rep rove a n d con vin ce
th ereof: it ca n n ever pos s ibly con s en t th ereu n to. An d a lth ou gh
it b e t r u e in d eed , Th a t t h e op er a t ion s of t h e Ligh t a r e n ot in
a ll m en a lik e p ower fu l, in wh om it is n ever t h eles s : yea ,
(t h ou gh ) in s om e m en (it ) s eem s t o h a ve n o op er a t ion a t a ll:

PETER BALLING
The Light upon the Candlestick

Yet t h is is occa s ion ed on ly b y t h os e im p ed im en t s t h a t d o

h in d er it : For a s th e n a tu ra l ligh t b y t h e in t er p os it ion of ot h er
b od ies or cover s , m a y b e h in d er ed
Th e S u n , th ou gh oft
from h a vin g its op era tion th ere wh ere
d a rk n e d a s to u s , y e t is
a lw a y s th e s a m e in its elf.
e ls e it w o u ld , w e r e t h o s e t h in gs
S o th e tru e Ligh t
wh ich im p ed e, r em oved , t h e Ligh t (it
s elf) s t ill a b id in g in it s s elf u n ch a n ged : E ven s o it is a ls o
wit h t h is Ligh t wh e r e of we s p e a k . Th e le t s in t h is a r e
m a n ifold . All wh a t s oever we m eet in t h is wor ld , s eem s t o
p r ocla im wa r in t h is ca s e. Wh a t is t h er e t h a t h a t h n o[t ] a
p ower fu l op er a t ion u p on on e or ot h er of t h e S en ces of m a n ,
t h r ou gh wh ich p a s s in g over in t o t h e s ou l, t h e m em or y is s o
filled , t h a t n ot h in g els e ca n en t er [?] Th e eyes a n d ea r s s t a n d
s o p er p et u a lly op en t o a ll t h in gs , t h a t t h ey n ever wa n t a n
o b je c t t o b r in g t o m in d t h e
No w on d e r th e Ligh t is
exp erien ce of th a t wh ich p lea s ed th e n o m ore k n ow n , w h ile
b od y s o well. An d t h is s t ir s u p t h e th e d a rn e s s is s o m u ch
lov e d .
d es ir e t o en joy it , yet a ll wit h ou t
fa s cin a t ion : Th e ob ject s a r e m u lt ifa r iou s , t h e en joym en t ca n
b e b u t s in gle a n d t r a n s ien t a n d t h e ca u s es in ces s a n t .
Now wh er e t h is op er a t et h in u s a ft er t h is m a n n er b y
ed u ca t ion a n d exa m p le in m a n n er s a n d cu s t om s wh ich a r e
r egu la t ed b y Op in ion , a n d n ot b y t h e tru e Ligh t, t h a t m en
live a lt oget h er t h er ein , is it a n y won d er t h a t h er e (in t h es e
m en ) t h er e is s o lit t le, or n o op er a t ion of t h e Ligh t? Not a t
a ll.
We a r e s o in volved in t o t h e d es ir e of t h a t wh ich is h igh
in t h e Wor ld , s o over wh elm ed in p lea s u r es , t h a t it s a lm os t
im p os s ib le for t h e Ligh t t o ca u s e on e d es ir e a ft er Good t o
s p r in g or b u b b le u p .
Wh er e t h en t h es e s o con t r a r y op er a t ion s t o t h e Ligh t
a r e, t h er e it ca n n ever b r ea k t h r ou gh .
Accor d in g t o t h e n a t u r e a n d k in d of ever yt h in g is t h e
op er a t ion t h er eof: Wh er e t h ey a r e op p os it e, t h e on e m u s t

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