Both Cotton Mather and Jonathan Edwards were important and influential ministers during the time they were writing. Their writings were centered around God but also were heavily influenced by the concept of light. While some of their ideas and uses of the word light were very similar, others were quite different.
Cotton Mather used a highly scientific approach to light. The first part of his essay on light spelled out Newton's scientific discoveries on the workings of light, such as the speed it travels and the way if reflects color. He explained that while these are natural laws of the universe, they were ultimately governed by God, the almighty creator. After he has explained the science of light he changes his usage of light into a metaphorical sense. He speaks of the light of God referring to the goodness and teachings of God that are present in God's word and in life. He speaks of both the scientific form of light and the metaphoric light of God as being important, but of God being the ultimate ruler of all kinds of light.
Edwards sermon does not reference the science of light. The light he speaks of is entirely centered around the idea of the divine spark or light of God in some people. He makes no mention of science or nature and even goes as far as to say that nature cannot overrule the spark of God, and almost implies that God uses nature to do his will. His usage of light is much less metaphorical than Mather's as he seems to take the divine light very literally, saying it exists and governs life and truth.
Overall, the writers are connected by their usage of the image of light. However, Mather has a much greater apprecation for nature and science, giving it more credit, although saying God ultimately governs all. His writing seems to say that nature is a major force as well as God's ultimate rule. Edwards gives less credit to the power of nature, speaking more of the divine light and power of God being special and in complete control of all things. Both writers use the concept of divine light in a sense of goodness and the word of God
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