A Divine and Supernatural Light, Immediately Imparted to the Soul by the Spirit of God, Shown to be Both Scriptual and Rational Doctrine

I would like to explore the philosophical implications of this work, a sermon by Jonathan Edwards. It was strongly suggested throughout the text that those who are blessed are the objects of God's distinguishing love. Since God is the natural author of all things, he therefore maintains the right to reveal himself, by means of divine light, to humans. This divine light is not necessarily reserved men of great statue or literacy in society:

"...[F]or if this knowledge were dependent on natural causes or means, how came it to pass that they, a company of poor fishermen, illiterate men, and persons of low education, attained to the knowledge of truth; while the Pharisees, men of vastly higher advantages, and greater knowledge and sagacity in other matters, remained in ignorance?"

Those whose minds are full with "spiritual pollution" cannot perceive the divine excellency of God's light because their human capabilities and senses are blocked. Just as through human faculties we are able to perceive the light of the sun and other sensory input, God must reveal himself to us through our human senses. But, this divine light is not obtained by natural means. God is above nature in that he created it. In creating nature, God has the ability to choose any human creature able to receive his spiritual wisdom and grace. In doing this, Edwards suggesting that God bestows his knowledge on whom he will, leaving others in the dark. This elitist form of selection prevents all of God's human creations from receiving the light which “effectually influences the inclination, and changes the nature of the soul.”