Culverwell, Nathanael (bap. 1619, d. 1651)

An Elegant and Learned Discourse of the Light of Nature, With Several Other Treatises

London

Printed by T.R. and E.M. for John Rothwell

1652

"But the publishing and manifestation of this Law which must give notice of all this, does flow from that heavenly beame which God has darted into the soul of man; from 'the Candle of the Lord', which God has lighted up for the discovery of his owne Lawes; from that intellectual eye which God has fram'd and made exactly proportionable to this Light."

This law of Nature having a firme and unshaken foundation in the necessity and conveniency of its materials, becomes formally valid and vigorous by the minde and command of the Supreme Law-giver; So as that all the strength and nerves, and binding virtue of this Law are rooted and fasten'd partly in the excellency and equity of the commands themselves, but they principally depend upon the Sovereignty and Authority of God himself: thus contriving and commanding the welfare of his Creature, and advancing a Rational Nature to the just perfection of its being. This is the rise and original of all that obligation which is in the Law of Nature. But the publishing and manifestation of this Law which must give notice of all this, does flow from that heavenly beame which God has darted into the soul of man; from the Candle of the Lord, which God has lighted up for the discovery of his owne Lawes; from that intellectual eye which God has fram'd and made exactly proportionable to this Light.
(pp. 68-9)

Government::Law Light::Beam Light::Candle Body::Eye::Intellectual Eye

Reading S. H. Clark's "Locke and Metaphor Reconsidered" in JHI 59:2 (1998) p. 263; found again reading M.H. Abrams, The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the Critical Tradition (London: Oxford UP, 1953), 59.

Nathanael Culverwel, An Elegant and Learned Discourse of the Light of Nature, with Several Other Treatises (London: Printed by T.R. and E.M. for John Rothwell, 1652). <Link to EEBO-TCP>

03/21/2005