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…

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 The Spouse in the Canticles is often at a loss and herein, bemoans her self that her Beloved was withdrawn, that she could neither find him, nor see him, Chap. 3. 1, 2.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.

MEN may retain their Notions concerning Christ, his Person, and his Glory. These cannot be blotted out of their Minds, but by Heresy or obdurate Stupidity. They may have the same Doctrinal Knowledge of him with others; but the sight of his Glory doth not consist therein; They may abide in the outward performance of Duties towards him, as formerly; but yet all this while as unto the especial gracious Communications of himself unto their Souls, and as unto a cheerful refreshing view of his Glory, He may withdraw and hide himself from them.

MEN may retain their Notions concerning Christ, his Person, and his Glory. These cannot be blotted out of their Minds, but by Heresie or obdurate Stupidity. They may have the same Doctrinal Knowledge of him with others; but the sight of his Glory doth not consist therein; They may abide in the outward performance of Duties towards him, as formerly; but yet all this while as unto the especial gracious Communications of himself unto their Souls, and as unto a chearful refreshing view of his Glory, He may withdraw and hide himself from them.