A53708:538
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.
THIS is the sum of what I do design. We have by Faith a View of the Glory of Christ. This View is weak and unsteady from the Nature of Faith it self, and the way of its proposal unto us as in a Glass, in comparison of what by Sight we shall attain unto. But moreover, ⟨p. 182⟩where corrupt Lusts or inordinate Affections are indulged unto, where they are not continually mortified, where any one sin hath a perplexing prevalency in the Mind, Faith will be so far weakened thereby, as that it can neither see nor meditate upon this Glory of Christ in a due manner. This is the Reason why the most are so weak and unstable in the performance of this Duty, yea are almost utterly unacquainted with it. The Light of Faith in the Minds of Men being impaired, clouded, darkened by the prevalency of unmortified Lusts, it cannot make such discoveries of this Glory, as otherwise it would do. And this makes the preaching of Christ unto many so unprofitable as it is.
THIS is the sum of what I do design. We have by Faith a View of the Glory of Christ. This View is weak and unsteady from the Nature of Faith it self, and the way of its proposal unto us as in a Glass, in comparison of what by Sight we shall attain unto. But moreover, ⟨p. 182⟩where corrupt Lusts or inordinate Affections are indulged unto, where they are not continually mortified, where any one sin hath a perplexing prevalency in the Mind, Faith will be so far weakened thereby, as that it can neither see nor meditate upon this Glory of Christ in a due manner. This is the Reason why the most are so weak and unstable in the performance of this Duty, yea are almost utterly unacquainted with it. The Light of Faith in the Minds of Men being impaired, clouded, darkned by the prevalency of unmortified Lusts, it cannot make such discoveries of this Glory, as otherwise it would do. And this makes the preaching of Christ unto many so unprofitable as it is.
SECONDLY; In the View of the Glory of Christ which we have by Faith, it will fill the Mind with Thoughts and Meditations about him, whereon the affections will cleave unto him with delight. This, as was said, is inseparable from a spiritual View of his Glory in its due exercise. Every one that hath it, must and will have many Thoughts concerning, and great affections to him. See the description of these things,