A53708:576
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 14: Other Differences between our Beholding the Glory of Christ by Faith in this World, and…
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.
FAITH also in beholding the glory of Christ in this Life, is accompanied with a transforming Efficacy, as the Apostle expressly declares, 2 Cor. 3. 18. It is the Principle from whence, and the Instrumental Cause whereby all spiritual change is wrought in us in this Life; but the Work of it is imperfect; first because it is gradual, and then because it is partial.
FAITH also in beholding the glory of Christ in this Life, is accompanied with a transforming Efficacy, as the Apostle expresly declares, 2 Cor. 3. 18. It is the Principle from whence, and the Instrumental Cause whereby all spiritual change is wrought in us in this Life; but the Work of it is imperfect; first because it is gradual, and then because it is partial.
1. AS unto the manner of its Operation, it is gradual, and doth not at once transform us into the Image of Christ. Yea, the degrees of its Progress therein, are unto us for the most part imperceptible. It requires much spiritual Wisdom and Observation to obtain an Experience of them in our own Souls. The inward man is renewed day by day, whilst we behold these invisible things, 2 Cor. 4. 16, 17, 18. but how? even as the outward Man decays by Age, which is by insensible Degrees and Alterations. Such is the Transformation which we have by Faith in its present View of the glory of Christ. And according to our Experience of its Efficacy herein, is our Evidence of its Truth and Realty in the beholding of him. No Man can have the least ground of assurance that he hath seen Christ and his glory by Faith, without some Effects of it in changing him into his Likeness. For as on the Touch of his Garment by the Woman in the Gospel, Virtue went out from him to heal her Infirmity: So upon this View of Faith, an influence of transforming Power will proceed from Christ unto the Soul.