A53708:74
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.
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.
HENCE is it, that Men utterly strangers unto all Experience of the Beginning of Glory in themselves as an effect of Faith, have filled their Divine Worship with Images, Pictures, and Music, to represent unto themselves somewhat of that Glory which they fancy to be above. For into that which is truly so, they have no prospect, nor can have; because they have no experience of its power in themselves; nor do they taste of its Goodness by any of its First-fruits in their own minds. Wherefore by that view alone, and not otherwise, which we have of the Glory of Christ by Faith here in this World, we may attain such blessed conceptions of our beholding his ⟨p. 10⟩glory above by immediate vision, as shall draw out our Hearts unto the Admiration of it, and desires of its full enjoyment.
HENCE is it, that Men utterly strangers unto all Experience of the Beginning of Glory in themselves as an effect of Faith, have filled their Divine Worship with Images, Pictures, and Musick, to represent unto themselves somewhat of that Glory which they fancy to be above. For into that which is truly so, they have no prospect, nor can have; because they have no experience of its power in themselves; nor do they taste of its Goodness by any of its First-fruits in their own minds. Wherefore by that view alone, and not otherwise, which we have of the Glory of Christ by Faith here in this World, we may attain such blessed conceptions of our beholding his ⟨p. 10⟩glory above by immediate vision, as shall draw out our Hearts unto the Admiration of it, and desires of its full enjoyment.
3. HEREIN then our present edification is principally concerned. For in this present beholding of the Glory of Christ, the Life and Power of Faith are most eminently acted. And from this Exercise of Faith, doth Love unto Christ principally, if not solely arise and spring. If therefore we desire to have Faith in its vigour, or Love in its Power, giving Rest, Complacency, and Satisfaction unto our own Souls, we are to seek for them in the diligent discharge of this Duty; elsewhere they will not be found. Herein would I live; Herein would I Dye; Hereon would I dwell in my Thoughts and Affections, to the withering and consumption of all the painted Beauties of this World, unto the Crucifying all things here below, until they become unto me a dead and deformed thing, no way meet for affectionate Embraces.