A53708:118
Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ
Meditations and discourses on the glory of Christ, in his person, office, and grace with the differences between faith and sight applied unto the use of them that believe / by the late Reverend John Owen, D.D.
London: printed by B.A., 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Chapter 2: The Glory of the Person of Christ, as the only Representative of God unto the Church.
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.
BUT the Enquiry is as before; How shall we have a view of this Love, of God as Love? By what way or means shall we behold the Glory of it? It is hidden from all living, in God himself. The Wise Philosophers, who discoursed so much of the Love of God, knew nothing of this, that God is Love. The Most of the Natural Notions of men about it are corrupt, and the best of them weak and imperfect. Generally the Thoughts of men about it, are, that he is of a facile and easy Nature, one that they may make bold withal in all their occasions, as the Psalmist declares, Psal. 50. 21. And whereas it must be learned in its Effects, Operations and Divine Ways of its manifestation, those who know not Christ, know nothing of them; and many things in Providence do interpose to hinder our view of this Love; for although that indeed God is Love, yet his wrath is revealed from Heaven against the ungodliness of Men: As all things at this day are filled with Evidences of his anger and displeasure: How then shall ⟨p. 26⟩we know, wherein shall we behold the Glory of God in this, that he is Love? The Apostle declares it in the next words, ver. 9. Herein was manifest the love of God towards us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the World, that we might live through him. This is the only Evidence given us that God is Love. Hereby alone is the Divine Nature as such made known unto us; namely in the Mission, Person, and Office of the Son of God; Without this all is in Darkness as unto the true Nature and supreme Operation of this Divine Love.
BUT the Enquiry is as before; How shall we have a view of this Love, of God as Love? By what way or means shall we behold the Glory of it? It is hidden from all living, in God himself. The Wise Philosophers, who discoursed so much of the Love of God, knew nothing of this, that God is Love. The Most of the Natural Notions of men about it are corrupt, and the best of them weak and imperfect. Generally the Thoughts of men about it, are, that he is of a facile and easie Nature, one that they may make bold withal in all their occasions, as the Psalmist declares, Psal. 50. 21. And whereas it must be learned in its Effects, Operations and Divine Ways of its manifestation, those who know not Christ, know nothing of them; and many things in Providence do interpose to hinder our view of this Love; for although that indeed God is Love, yet his wrath is revealed from Heaven against the ungodliness of Men: As all things at this day are filled with Evidences of his anger and displeasure: How then shall