Edward's Piece

I was very interested by Edward's distinction between the different kinds of spiritual light. Having knowledge from the Father means to "know the truth," as Simon Peter does. Knowledge from the Father is higher than any other, Edwards tells his congregation. There is a definite distinction, for Edwards, between the "light," or knowledge which comes directly from the Father, in the form of revelation, and the light or knowledge that comes from secondary source is very different. We are also informed that God is still responsible for conveying the latter type of knowledge through secondary sources "by the power and influence of natural means."

Edwards also makes an interesting distinction between having a sense of something and holding an opinion about that same thing. He says that a person can have an opinion about something by having knowledge of its existence. However, to possess such knowledge one does not have to have individual experience or even have ever seen the object. To truly have a sense of something, a "sense of the heart," one must have experienced and be able to appreciate what it is. Therefore one can have the opinion that Christ is holy and gracious by knowing the doctrine. But to have discovered "the divine excellency of Christian doctrines", is infinitely better and is the result of the Holy Spirit's divine influence.