An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Thirdly, The teachings of God do not only empty and humble the soul, but they transform the soul, and change it into another thing than it was, as to its state and qualities: The teachings of ⟨p. 344⟩God change not only our manners but our very natures; they not only give a light to the Understanding, but a newness to the Will, new Affections, new Desires. This is it which the Apostle calls the new creature (2 Cor. 5.17.) and that this creature is wrought to its highest perfection by the teachings of God, he showeth (2 Cor. 3.18.) We all with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. The glass wherein we have this sight of the glory of God, is chiefly the Word. The glory into which we are changed by those sights, is our conformity to that holiness which shineth in the Word. And this change is twofold; First, from sin to grace, which is a degree of glory. Secondly, from glory to glory, that is, from a high to a higher, and at last to the highest degree of grace. Look what the Word is, and calleth us to be, that are we when taught according to the truth of the word, by the power and Spirit of God.

Thirdly, The teachings of God do not only empty and humble the soul, but they transform the soul, and change it into another thing than it was, as to its state and qualities: The teachings of ⟨p. 344⟩God change not only our manners but our very natures; they not only give a light to the Understanding, but a newness to the Will, new Affections, new Desires. This is it which the Apostle calls the new creature (2 Cor. 5.17.) and that this creature is wrought to its highest perfection by the teachings of God, he sheweth (2 Cor. 3.18.) We all with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. The glass wherein we have this sight of the glory of God, is chiefly the Word. The glory into which we are changed by those sights, is our conformity to that holiness which shineth in the Word. And this change is twofold; First, from sin to grace, which is a degree of glory. Secondly, from glory to glory, that is, from a high to a higher, and at last to the highest degree of grace. Look what the Word is, and calleth us to be, that are we when taught according to the truth of the word, by the power and Spirit of God.