A53708:529
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.
NOW the design of the Lord Christ in thus withdrawing himself from us, and hiding his glory from our view, being the exercise of our Graces, and to stir us up unto diligence in our enquiries after him, here lieth our guidance and direction in this case. Do we find our selves ⟨p. 178⟩lifeless in the spiritual duties of Religion? Are we strangers unto the heavenly visits of consolation and joys, those visitations of God whereby he preserves our souls? Do we seldom enjoy a sense of the shedding abroad of his love in our hearts by the holy Ghost? We have no way of Recovery but this alone. To this strong Tower must we turn our selves as Prisoners of hope; unto Christ must we look that we may be saved. It is a steady view or contemplation of his Glory by faith alone, that will bring in all these things in a lively experience in our hearts and souls.
AGAIN; In the second place, it is from our selves principally, if we lose the views of the Glory of Christ, and the exercise of faith be obstructed therein. All our spiritual disadvantages do arise from our selves. It is the remainder of lusts and corruptions in us, either indulged by sloth and negligence, or excited and inflamed by Satan's Temptations, that do obstruct us in this duty. Whilst they are in any disorder or disturbance, it is in vain for us to expect any clear view of this Glory.
AGAIN; In the second place, it is from our selves principally, if we lose the views of the Glory of Christ, and the exercise of faith be obstructed therein. All our spiritual disadvantages do arise from our selves. It is the remainder of lusts and corruptions in us, either indulged by sloth and negligence, or excited and inflamed by Satans Temptations, that do obstruct us in this duty. Whilst they are in any disorder or disturbance, it is in vain for us to expect any clear view of this Glory.