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

Secondly, Afar off, that is, imperfectly, not fully; he may have some discoveries of it, every man the weakest man may discern somewhat of it. Things that are high and afar off, are confusedly seen, not clearly or fully discerned. A man that is afar off cannot be distinguishingly known. When a man is afar off, we may see him to be a man, but what manner of man he is, or who he is, we cannot discern; though possibly it may be our own father, yet being afar off we cannot know him distinctly. Thus to see afar off notes only a confused knowledge. That's a good sense; things afar off are not distinctly seen.

Secondly, Afar off, that is, imperfectly, not fully; he may have some discoveries of it, every man the weakest man may discern somewhat of it. Things that are high and afar off, are confusedly seen, not clearly or fully discerned. A man that is afar off cannot be distinguishingly knowne. When a man is afar off, we may see him to be a man, but what manner of man he is, or who he is, we cannot discern; though possibly it may be our own father, yet being afar off we cannot know him distinctly. Thus to see afar off notes only a confused knowledge. That's a good sense; things afar off are not distinctly seen.

Thirdly, Afar off, may be expounded of all the sight we have on this side Heaven. In this world we see all that we see afar off, we have not a near intimate knowledge of things, especially not of the best things, spiritual things, of all them we must say, We know but in part, and see through a glass darkly, as the Apostle speaks, (1 Cor. 13.12.) Such things as are not immediate to us,¹ we are said to see through a glass, or as represented in their effects, and issues, or in their back parts, as God himself is seen. (Exod. 33.18, 23.) Thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen, said God to Moses when he moved to see his glory.