Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints…Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints…

NOW although the consideration hereof may seem a kind of Diversion from our present Argument, yet I choose to insist upon it, that I may evidence the Reasons whence it is that many have so little experience of the things whereof we have treated, that they find so little of Reality or Power in the exercise of this Grace, or the performance of this Duty. For it will appear in the issue, that the whole defect is in themselves; the truth it self insisted on, is great and efficacious.

NOW although the consideration hereof may seem a kind of Diversion from our present Argument, yet I choose to insist upon it, that I may evidence the Reasons whence it is that many have so little experience of the things whereof we have treated, that they find so little of Reallity or Power in the exercise of this Grace, or the performance of this Duty. For it will appear in the issue, that the whole defect is in themselves; the truth it self insisted on, is great and efficacious.

1. WHILST we are in this life, the Lord Christ is pleased in his Sovereign Wisdom sometimes to withdraw, and as it were, to hide himself from us. Then do our Minds fall into Clouds and Darkness; Faith is at a loss, we cannot behold his Glory; yea, we may seek him, but cannot find him. So Job complains as we observed before. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him: on the left hand where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. Chap. 23. 8, 9. Which way soever I turn my self, whatever are my endeavours, in what way or work of his own, I seek him, I cannot find him, I cannot see him, I cannot behold his Glory. So the Church also complains; Verily thou art a God that hidest thy self, O God of Israel the Saviour, Isa. 45. 15. And the Psalmist, How long Lord wilt thou hide thy self for ⟨p. 163⟩ever? Psal. 89. 46. This hiding of the face of God, is the hiding of the shining of his Glory in the face of Christ Jesus, and therefore of the Glory of Christ himself, for it is the Glory of Christ to be the Representative of the Glory of God. The Spouse in the Canticles is often at a loss and herein, bemoans her self that her Beloved was withdrawn, that she could neither find him, nor see him, Chap. 3. 1, 2. Chap. 5. 6.