A53708:463
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.
How much more abominable is the folly of men, who would represent the Lord Christ in his present Glory by Pictures and Images of him? When they have done their utmost with their burnished Glass and Gildings, an eye of flesh cannot only behold it, but if it be guided by reason, see it contemptible and foolish. But the true Glory of Christ neither inward nor outward sight can bear the rays of in this life.
How much more abominable is the folly of men, who would represent the Lord Christ in his present Glory by Pictures and Images of him? When they have done their utmost with their burnished Glass and Guildings, an eye of flesh cannot only behold it, but if it be guided by reason, see it contemptible and foolish. But the true Glory of Christ neither inward nor outward sight can bear the rays of in this life.
THE dispensation which we are meet for is only that of his presence with us by his Spirit. We know him now no more after the flesh, 2 Cor. 5. 16. We are advanced above that way and means of the knowledge of him by the fleshly carnal Ordinances of the Old Testament. And we know him not according unto that bodily presence of his, which his Disciples enjoyed in the days of his flesh. We have attained somewhat above that also. For such was the nature of his Ministry here on earth, that there could not be the promised dispensation of the spirit until that was finished. Therefore he tells his Disciples that it was expedient for them that he should go away and send the spirit to them, John. 16. 7. Hereon they had a clearer view of the Glory of Christ, than they could have by beholding him in the flesh. This is our spiritual posture and condition. We are past the knowledge of him according to the flesh; we cannot attain nor receive the sight of him in Glory; but the life which we now lead, is by the Faith of the Son of God.