A53708:447
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 12: Differences between our beholding the Glory of Christ by Faith in this World, and by si…
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.
AND he adds another intimation of this Imperfection, in an Allusion unto the way whereby things are proposed and conveyed unto the Minds and Apprehensions of Men: Now this is by Words. And these are either plain, proper and direct, or dark, figurative and parabolical: And this latter way makes the Conception of things to be difficult and imperfect; and by reason of the imperfection of our View of the glory of Christ by Faith in this World, the Apostle saith, it is in [Greek or Hebrew] in a Riddle. These [Greek or Hebrew] the Psalmist calls [Greek or Hebrew] dark sayings, Psal. 78. 2.
AND he adds another intimation of this Imperfection, in an Allusion unto the way whereby things are proposed and conveyed unto the Minds and Apprehensions of Men: Now this is by Words. And these are either plain, proper and direct, or dark, figurative and parabolical: And this latter way makes the Conception of things to be difficult and imperfect; and by reason of the imperfection of our View of the glory of Christ by Faith in this World, the Apostle saith, it is in 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 in a Riddle. These 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 the Psalmist calls 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 darklaying, Psal. 78. 2.
BUT here it must be observed, that the description and Representation of the Lord Christ and his glory in the Gospel, is not absolutely, or in it self either dark or obscure. Yea, it is perspicuous, plain and direct. Christ is therein evidently set forth crucified, exalted, glorified. But the Apostle doth not here discourse concerning the Way or Means of the Revelation of it unto us, but of the Means or Instrument whereby we comprehend that Revelation. This is our Faith, which as it is in us, being weak and imperfect, we comprehend the Representation that is made unto us of the Glory of Christ, as Men do the sense of a dark Saying, a Riddle, a Parable, that is, imperfectly, and with difficulty.