Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ

THERE are therefore, two ways or degrees of beholding the Glory of Christ, which are constantly distinguished in the Scripture. The one is by Faith in this World, which is the Evidence of things not seen. The other is by Sight, or immediate vision in Eternity, 2 Cor. 5. 7. We walk by faith and not by sight. We do so whilst we are in this World, whilst we are present in the Body, and absent from the Lord, ver. 8. But we shall live and walk by Sight hereafter. And it is the Lord Christ and his Glory, which are immediate objects both of this Faith and Sight. For we here behold him darkly in a Glass (that is by Faith) but we shall see him face to face; (by immediate vision) Now we know him in part: but then we shall know him as we are known, 1 Cor. 13. 12. What is the difference between these two ways of beholding the Glory of Christ, shall be afterwards declared.

IT is the first way, namely by Vision in the Light of Glory, that is principally included in that prayer of our Blessed Saviour, that his Disciples may be where he is, to behold his Glory. But, I shall not confine my enquiry thereunto; nor doth our Lord Jesus exclude from his desire, that Sight of his Glory which we have by faith in this World; but prays for the Perfection of it in Heaven. It is therefore the first way, that in the first place I shall insist upon, and that for the Reasons ensuing.

1. NO Man shall ever behold the Glory of Christ by Sight hereafter, who doth not in some measure behold it by Faith here in this World. Grace is a necessary preparation for Glory, and Faith for Sight. Where the Subject, the Soul, is not previously seasoned with Grace and Faith, it is not capable of Glory, or Vision. Nay, persons not disposed hereby unto it, cannot desire it, whatever they pretend; they only deceive their own Souls, in supposing that so they do. Most Men will say with confidence, living and dying, that they desire to be with Christ, and to behold his Glory; But they can give no Reason, why they should desire any such thing; only they think it somewhat that is better than to be in that evil condition which otherwise they must be cast into for ever, when they can be here no more. If a Man pretend himself to be enamoured on, or greatly to desire what he never saw, nor was ever represented unto him, he doth but dote on his own Imaginations. And the pretended desires of many, to behold the Glory of Christ in Heaven, who have no view of it by Faith whilst they are here in this World, are nothing but self-deceiving imaginations.