A53708:524
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 13: The second Difference between our beholding the Glory of Christ by Faith in this World,…
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.
IT is peculiarly, in the view of the Glory of Christ, in in his approaches unto us, and abiding with us, that we are made Partakers of Evangelical Peace, Consolation, Joy and Assurance. These are a part of the Royal Train of his Graces, of the Reward wherewith he is accompanied; His reward is with him. Wherever he is graciously present with any, these things are never wanting in a due measure and degree, unless it be by their own fault, or for their trial. In these things doth he give the Church of his loves, Cant. 7. 12. For if any man (saith he) loveth me, I will love him, and manifest my self unto him, Joh. 14. 21. Yea, I and the Father will come unto him and make our abode with him, v. 23. and that so as to sup with him, Rev. 3. 20. which on his part, can be only by the Communication of those spiritual refreshments. The only enquiry is by what way and means we do receive them? Now I say this is in and by our beholding of the Glory of Christ by Faith, 1 Pet. 1. 9, 10. Let that Glory be rightly stated as before laid down; the Glory of his Person, his Office, his Condescension, Exaltation, Love and Grace; let Faith be fixed in a view and contemplation of it, mix it self with it as represented in the Glass of the Gospel, meditate upon it, embrace it, and virtue will proceed from Christ, communicating spiritual, supernatural refreshment ⟨p. 175⟩and joy unto our souls. Yea, in ordinary cases it is impossible that believers should have a real prospect of this Glory at any time, but that it will in some measure affect their hearts with a sense of his love, which is the spring of all consolation in them. In the exercise of Faith on the discoveries of the Glory of Christ made unto us in the Gospel, no man shall ever totally want such intimations of his Love, yea, such effusions of it in his heart, as shall be a living spring of those spiritual refreshments, Joh. 4. 14. Rom. 5. 5. When therefore we lose these things as unto a sense of them in our souls, it is evident that the Lord Christ is withdrawn, and that we do not behold his Glory.