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…

I cannot refrain here from a necessary short Digression. This transforming efficacy from a spiritual View of Christ as proposed in the Gospel, being lost as unto an experience of it in the Minds of Men carnal and ignorant of the mystery of believing (as it is at present by many derided, tho it be the life of Religion) Fancy and Superstition provided various supplies in the room of it. For they found out Crucifixes and Images with Faintings to represent him in his Sufferings and Glory. By these things, their carnal Affections being excited by their outward Senses, they suppose themselves to be affected with him, ⟨p. 167⟩and to be like unto him. Yea, some have proceeded so far, as either by Arts Diabolical, or by other means, to make an appearance of wounds on their hands, and feet, and sides, therein pretending to be like him; yea, to be wholly transformed into his Image. But that which is produced by an Image, is but an Image, an imaginary Christ will effect nothing in the Minds of Men, but imaginary Grace.

I cannot refrain here from a necessary short Digression. This transforming efficacy from a spiritual View of Christ as proposed in the Gospel, being lost as unto an expeperience of it in the Minds of Men carnal and ignorant of the mystery of believing (as it is at present by many derided, tho it be the life of Religion) Fancy and Superstition provided various supplies in the room of it. For they found out Crucifixes and Images with Faintings to represent him in his Sufferings and Glory. By these things, their carnal Affections being excited by their outward Senses, they suppose themselves to be affected with him, ⟨p. 167⟩and to be like unto him. Yea, some have proceeded so far, as either by Arts Diabolical, or by other means, to make an appearance of wounds on their hands, and feet, and sides, therein pretending to be like him; yea, to be wholly transformed into his Image. But that which is produced by an Image, is but an Image, an imaginary Christ will effect nothing in the Minds of Men, but imaginary Grace.