A53708:76
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.
FOR these, and the like Reasons, I shall first enquire into our Beholding of the Glory of Christ in this world by Faith; And therein endeavour to lead the Souls of them that Believe, into the more retired walks of Faith, Love, and Holy Meditation, whereby the King is held in his Galleries. Cant. 7. 5.
FOR these, and the like Reasons, I shall first enquire into our Beholding of the Glory of Christ in this world by Faith; And therein endeavour to lead the Souls of them that Believe, into the more retired walks of Faith, Love, and Holy Meditation, whereby the King is held in his Gatleries. Cant. 7. 5.
BUT because there is no Benefit in, nor advantage by the Contemplation of this Sacred Truth, but what consists in an improvement of the practice of the duty declared in it, namely, the constant beholding of the Glory of Christ by Faith: I shall for the promotion of it, premise some few Advantages which we may have thereby.
1. WE shall hereby be made fit and meet for Heaven. Every man is not so, who desires it, and hopes for it. For some are not only unworthy of it, and excluded from it by reason of Sin; but they are unmeet for it, and incapable of any advantage by it. All men indeed think ⟨p. 11⟩themselves fit enough for Glory (what should hinder them?) if they could attain it. But it is because they know not what it is. Men shall not be clothed with Glory, as it were, whether they will or no. It is to be received in that Exercise of the Faculties of their Souls, which such Persons have no Ability for. Music hath no Pleasure in it, unto them that cannot hear; nor the most beautiful Colours unto them that cannot see. It would be no Benefit unto a Fish to take him from the bottom of the Ocean, filled with Cold and Darkness, and to place him under the Beams of the Sun. For he is no way meet to receive any Refreshment thereby. Heaven it self would not be more advantageous unto Persons not renewed by the Spirit of Grace in this Life.