The Holy Ghost is well pleased to bring in the shining virtues of
the church, under the--notion of a shining moon; because, as the
church herself is compared to the moon, so her virtues are as
naturally compared to a shining light: as Christ saith, "Let your
light so shine;" and again, "Let your loins be girded, and your
lights burning." For indeed, while we are here, that church and
congregation of the Lord doth most shine, and most send forth the
golden rays and pleasant beams of Christianity, that is most in the
exercise of the aforementioned virtues. Take away the moon, and the
night is doubtful; or, though the moon be in the firmament, if she
hath lost her light, the night is not thereby made more comfortable.
And thus, I say, it is first with the world, where there is no
church to shine, or where there is a church that doth not so shine
that others may see and be lighted.