Sun of the Holy Spirit

Meaning

The Soleil du sainct Esprit sends divine rays into the human interior to consume the corrupting affections of the old Adam. Solar language here makes the Holy Spirit’s illumination and purifying power imaginable; it does not identify the Holy Spirit with the celestial sun or a furnace flame. Nuysement then draws a “likewise” comparison with the natural subject’s purification by fire and water. Distinct agents and recipients remain on either side of that analogy. The subsequent natural separation by distillation should not be fused with the preceding spiritual illumination into one literal sacramental operation.