A53708:540
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 therefore is the present case. Where there are prevailing sinful Distempers or inordinate Affections in the Mind, such as those before mentioned, as Self-love, love of the World, cares and fears about it, with an excessive valuation of relations and enjoyments; they will so far cumber and perplex it with a multitude of thoughts about their own Objects, as shall leave no place for sedate Meditations on Christ and his Glory. And where the thoughts are engaged, the Affections which partly excite them, and partly are led by them, will be fixed also, Col. 3. 1, 2.
THIS is that which in the most, greatly promoteth that imperfection, which is in our View of the Glory of Christ, by Faith in this Life. According to the proportion and degree of the prevalency of Affections, corrupt, earthly, selfish or sensual, filling the Heads and Hearts of Men with a multitude of thoughts about what they are fixed on, or inclined unto; so is Faith obstructed and weakened in this Work and Duty.
WHEREFORE, whereas there is a remainder of these Lusts, as to the Seeds of them in us all, tho more mortified in some than in others; yet having the same effects in the minds of all, according to the Degree of their remainder; thence it is as from an Efficacious cause of it, ⟨p. 184⟩that our View of the Glory of Christ by Faith, is in many so weak, imperfect and unsteady.