Again,4 we glorify God in Christ, when we see such glory and mercy of Christ, as it doth transform us, and change us, and from an inward change, we have alway a blessed disposition to glorify God, as I showed out of 1 Cor. 3.2 This is the difference between the glass of the Gospel, and the glass of the Law, and of the creatures. In the Law, we see the beams of the Justice of God, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all, &c. and the beams of his power and goodness in the creature, but it doth not change and transform us to be good and gracious, but when we see the glory of God, of his goodness and infinite mercy, shining in the face of Jesus Christ, (for we dare not look upon God immediately) it changeth the soul, to be gracious like unto Christ; therefore if we find, that the knowledge of God in Christ, hath changed our dispositions, it is a sign then, we give glory to God indeed: for to glorify God, is an action that cannot proceed but from a disposition of nature, that is altered and changed; the instrument must be set in tune, before it can yield this excellent Music, to glorify God as the Angels do, that is, all the powers of the soul, must be set in order with grace, by the Spirit of God; if the meditations and thoughts of the Gospel, have altered our dispositions to love God, and that that pleaseth ⟨p. 236⟩God, to do good to men, to delight in goodness, it is a sign we are instruments in tune to glorify God, and that we have an apprehension of the love, and mercy of God in Christ, as we should, for it hath a transforming power to work this. The grace of God will teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live holily. When the grace of God, that is, the free love of God in Christ, in the forgiving our sins, and advancing us to heaven, hath this effect in our souls, it is a sign we have a true notion, and apprehension of the excellency, and eminency of Gods grace, otherwise, if we turn the grace of God into wantonness, to make the benefits by Christ, a pretence and covering for our wicked and loose lives, we know not what it is to glorify God, but though in words we say, Glory be to God yet in our lives we deny it, as the Apostle saith. The Hypocrites in Isay, 66.5.3 they had good speeches in their mouths;
Againe,4 we glorifie God in Christ, when wee see such glory and mercy of Christ, as it doth transforme us, and change us, and from an inward change, we have alway a blessed disposition to glorifie God, as I shewed out of 1 Cor. 3.2 This is the difference betweene the glasse of the Gospell, and the glasse of the Law, and of the creatures. In the Law, we see the beames of the Justice of God, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all, &c. and the beames of his power and goodnesse in the creature, but it doth not change and transforme us to be good and gracious, but when wee see the glory of God, of his goodnesse and infinite mercy, shining in the face of Iesus Christ, (for wee dare not looke upon God immediatly) it changeth the soule, to be gracious like unto Christ; therefore if wee find, that the knowledge of God in Christ, hath changed our dispositions, it is a signe then, we give glory to God indeed: for to glorifie God, is an action that cannot proceed but from a disposition of nature, that is altered and changed; the instrument must be set in tune, before it can yeeld this excellent Musicke, to glorifie God as the Angels doe, that is, all the powers of the soule, must be set in order with grace, by the Spirit of God; if the meditations and thoughts of the Gospell, have altered our dispositions to love God, and that that pleaseth ⟨p. 236⟩God, to doe good to men, to delight in goodnesse, it is a signe we are instruments in tune to glorifie God, and that we have an apprehension of the love, and mercy of God in Christ, as we should, for it hath a transforming power to worke this. The grace of God will teach us to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live holily. When the grace of God, that is, the free love of God in Christ, in the forgiving our sinnes, and advancing us to heaven, hath this effect in our soules, it is a signe wee have a true notion, and apprehension of the excellency, and eminency of Gods grace, otherwise, if we turne the grace of God into wantonnesse, to make the benefits by Christ, a pretence and covering for our wicked and loose lives, we know not what it is to glorifie God, but though in words we say, Glory be to God yet in our lives we denie it, as the Apostle saith. The Hypocrites in Isay, 66.5.3 they had good speeches in their mouthes;
- 4When our dispositions are altered by beholding Gods glory in Christ.
- 21. Cor. 3.
- 3Isaiah. 66.5.Esay. 66.5.
