A53708:464
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.
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.
I SHALL not here enquire into the nature of this vision, or the power and ability which we shall have in Heaven to behold the Glory of Christ. Some few things may be mentioned, as it relates unto our Minds and our Bodies also after the Resurrection.
1. FOR the Mind, it shall be perfectly freed from all that Darkness, Unsteadiness, and other Incapacities, which here it is accompanied with; and whereby it is weakened, hindered and obstructed in the Exercise of Faith. And they are of two sorts. First, such as are the remainders of that depravation of our Natures, which came upon us by sin. Hereby our Minds became wholly vain, dark, and corrupt, as the Scripture testifieth, utterly unable to discern spiritual things in a due manner. This is so far cured and removed in this Life by Grace, as that those who were darkness, do become light in the Lord, or are enabled to live unto God under the Conduct of a new spiritual Light communicated unto them. But it is so cured and removed in part only, it is not perfectly abolished. Hence are all our remaining Weaknesses and Incapacities in discerning things spiritual and eternal, which we yet groan under, and long for deliverance from. No Footsteps, no Scars or Marks that ever it had place in our Minds shall abide in glory,