A64995:162
The true Christians love of the unseen Christ, or, A discourse chiefly tending to…
The true Christians love of the unseen Christ, or, A discourse chiefly tending to excite and promote the decaying love of Christ in the hearts of Christians with an appendix concerning Christs manifestation of himself to them that love him / by Thomas Vincent.
London: printed by J.R. for Samuel Sprint, 1677
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.
Section. XVI.
Having given directions how you may attain the Truth of love to Christ where you are without it, I come now to give directions how you may attain much of this love to Christ, where you have it but in a low degree and weak measure. Would you attain much love to Christ?
HAving given directions how you may attain the Truth of love to Christ where you are without it, I come now to give directions how you may attain much of this love to Christ, where you have it but in a low degree and weak measure. Would you attain much love to Christ?
1. Be much in Contemplation of Christ; consider often what motives there are of love in him, press them upon your Spirits and labour to awaken and rouse up your Hearts unto the vigorous exercise of this love. Spend time in secret retirement, and there think, and think again, of the Superlative Excellencies and Perfections which ⟨p. 129⟩are in Christ's Person, how wonderful and matchless his love is, what heights in it that cannot be reached, what depths in it that cannot be fathomed, what other dimensions which cannot be comprehended: Meditate often of his benefits, how incomparable his love-tokens be: and whilst you you are musing, you may feel the fire burning; whilst you are looking you may feel your Hearts leaping; whilst you are taking a view of him, ere you are aware, your Hearts like the Chariots of Aminadab, may run to him: O the ravishments of love! the transports of Soul! which some Believers have found in their retired thoughts and views of Christ. Get often into the Mount of Divine Contemplation, and there look upwards unto Heaven, and think with your selves. Yonder, Yonder above the shining Sun is the more Glorious Son of Righteousness; there at the right hand of the Throne of God, is my beloved Jesus the Son of God seated, and though he be so high above me both in place and dignity, yet he thinketh upon me, and pleadeth for me, and many a gift hath he thence & sent by his Spirit conveyed unto me, and I can ask nothing of the Father in his name, but, if it be really for my good, I have it by his means. O dear Jesus, how lovely art thou in thy self,