God is arrayed with an infinite brightness, a brightness that doesn’t create pain as the light of the sun pains the eyes to behold it, but rather fills with excess of joy and delight. Indeed, no man can see God and live, because the sight of such glory would overpower nature, . . .’tis because the joy and pleasure in beholding would be too strong for a frail nature.25 According to Edwards, God is dazzling in his holiness and overwhelmingly fascinating—but not simply because of his overpowering might.
