The article "The Soul of Man Compared to a Candle" by Benjamin Keach draws a parallel between the human spirit and a candle, emphasizing the limited ability of human understanding apart from divine revelation. Keach argues that while the spirit serves as a source of moral insight and awareness of God’s existence, it is insufficient for knowledge of Christ and the salvific truths found in Scripture (Romans 1:20). He asserts that the light of natural conscience is capable of uncovering some moral duties but fails to convey the fullness of divine law and the need for redemption. This lack of comprehensive illumination underscores the necessity of the Gospel and Scripture as the ultimate source of truth, revealing the shortcomings of relying solely on innate understanding. The practical significance of this doctrine stresses the importance of divine revelation in understanding salvation and supports the Reformed view of total depravity and reliance on God's Word.
Key Quotes
“The Spirit of Man receives its light from God who is called light.”
“The Candle of the wicked shall be put out.”
“What fools are they who plead for a Candle-light and choose rather to be lighted and directed by it when the sun is risen and shineth clearly.”
“The absolute necessity there is of Gospel-revelation and ministration to make known to men those glorious mysteries.”
THE SOUL OF MAN COMPARED TO A CANDLE
"The spirit of Man is the Candle of the Lord" Pr 20:27.
METAPHOR
I. A Candle is made to give light unto men in the night.
PARALLEL
I. The Spirit of Man is formed by the Lord, to give light unto him whilst he lives in the night of this world.
METAPHOR
II. A Candle must be lighted, or receive light from some other light, or it will light no man.
PARALLEL
II. The Spirit of Man receives its light from God, who is called light. "There is a Spirit in Man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding," Job 32:8.
METAPHOR
III. A Candle is but a small light, in comparison of the light of the sun; it giveth light but a little way, and discovers things but darkly.
PARALLEL
III. The Spirit of Man is but a small light, in comparison of Christ the Sun of Righteousness, the light of the glorious Gospel, that discovered those things that the light of natural conscience will not.
1. The Spirit of Man will discover unto him, by the help of the visible creation, that there is a God that made the world; but it cannot discover that there is a Redeemer, who died to save the world, which the Gospel doth, Ro 1:20.
2. The Spirit of Man will discover Man's duty in morals, to do as he would be done unto; but it cannot teach him in all things his duty towards God, viz., his divine laws and institutions, and how he ought to be worshipped.
3. The Spirit of Man will convince him of some sins, but it will not convince him of sin, because he believeth not in Jesus Christ; for this the Spirit of truth, and glorious Gospel only, convince men and women of.
4. The Spirit of Man discovers to him that he must die; but it cannot discover to him, without the light of the written word, a resurrection.
METAPHOR
IV. A Candle is oftentimes put out.
PARALLEL
IV. So is the light or Candle of the wicked. God in a way of judgment, when men have abused their light and knowledge they have had of him, giveth them up to vile affections, as he did the Gentiles, so that they sin without control; conscience is seared, and asleep as it were, and reproveth them no more. "The Candle of the wicked shall be put out," Pr 24:20.
INFERENCES.
I. This reproves those that say, the light which is in every Man that cometh into the world, is God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit; whereas it is evident it is Man's Spirit, and called but the Candle of the Lord, and in itself no more than the light of Man's natural conscience.
II. It reproves them also for saying, it is sufficient to make known or discover unto men all things that are necessary to salvation; and that they should have known by the light within, all things which the holy scriptures declare of Christ, and the mysteries of the Gospel, if the scriptures had never been written. Which is easily detected: (1.) By considering of that great darkness, that is in those Heathen nations and people that have not the written word of God, concerning Christ and salvation; for though they have the light of this Candle, viz., the light of their own natural consciences, yet know nothing of Christ, who was born of the blessed Virgin, nor of his death and resurrection. (2.) By considering the absolute necessity there is of Gospel-revelation, and ministration, to make known to men those glorious mysteries, according as it is held forth in divers places of scripture; for if man's chief and only teacher were within him, what need was there for Christ to ordain and send forth his apostles and ministers, to preach the Gospel to the world? and why is faith said to come by hearing the word preached? (3.) They are disproved by this, viz., they cannot make known any of those other things which Christ did, that were not written.
III. From hence we may perceive what the substance is, which the light of Man's Spirit will do; it searches all the inward parts of the belly, i.e. makes known the very thoughts and intentions of the heart unto him, and reproves him, for not living up to the light God hath afforded him.
IV. What fools are they, these things considered, who plead for a Candle-light, and choose rather to he lighted and directed by it, when the sun is risen, and shineth clearly, blessed be God, in our horizon.
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