A53707:507
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…
Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints under spiritual decays : in two chapters, from John XVII, xxiv / by the late Reverend John Owen ...Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints under spiritual decayes : in two chapters, from John XVII, xxiv / by the late Reverend John Owen ...
London: printed by J.A. for William Marshall, 1691
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. THERE are those in whom both these evils are cured by faith, wherein the eyes of our understandings are enlightened to perceive and discern spiritual things, Ephes. 1. 16, 17, 18. But this cure is wrought in this life but in part, 1 Cor. 13. 12. And in this cure by a supply of a principle of saving light unto our minds, there are many degrees. For some have a clearer light than others, and thereby a more clear discerning of the Mystery of the Wisdom of God, and of the Glory of Christ therein. But whatever be our attainments herein, that which obstructs this light, that hinders it from shining in a due manner, that obstructs and hinders faith in its view of the Glory of Christ. And this is done by the remainders of corrupted nature in us, when they act in any prevalent degree. For they darken the mind and weaken it in its spiritual Operations. That is, where any corrupt and inordinate affections, as love of the world, cares about it, inclinations unto sensuality, or the like spiritual disorders do prevail, faith is weakened in its spiritual acts, especially in discerning and beholding the Glory of Christ. For the mind is rendered unsteady in its enquiries after it, being continually distracted and diverted with vain thoughts and Imaginations.
PERSONS under the Power of such Distempers may have the same doctrinal knowledge of the Person of Christ his Office and his grace with other men, and the same evidence of its Truth fixed on their minds; but when they endeavour a real intuition into the things themselves, all things are dark and confused unto them from the uncertainty and instability of their own minds.
THIS is the sum of what I do design. We have by Faith a View of the Glory of Christ. This View is weak and unsteady from the Nature of Faith it self, and the way of its proposal unto us as in a Glass, in comparison of what by Sight we shall attain unto. But moreover,