(2.) Compare it with the light of reason. Keason can only guess at future contingencies, or at best see things in their causes or natural order, and that it is probable, if nothing letteth, such and such things will fall out ; but faith can look through all distance of time and place, and contrary appearances, with such certainty and firm persuasion as if the thing were at hand: Heb. xi. 13, 'These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them;' John viii. 56, 'Abraham rejoiced to see my day ; and he saw it, and was glad ; ' Eom. iv. 18, ' Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations.'
(3.) Compare it with the light of prophecy ; that is a seeing : Rev. XX. 12, ' I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God,' &c. They agree in the common object, such things as are revealed by God. They agree in the same common nature, that it is a sight of things absent, or future and to come, with such certainty and clearness as if they were in being. They differ, because faith goeth upon the common revela- tion which God hath made of his mind to all the saints in scripture ; the other upon some special vision and revelation made to certain chosen persons. The light of faith affects the heart with great joy and com- fort ; the other is usually with rapture and ecstasy.
(4.) Let us compare it with the light of glory, the beatifical vision, that worketh a change in body and soul : 1 John iii. 2, ' We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him.' This in the soul : 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' We all, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord ; ' 1 Cor. xiii. 12, there see him face to face, as in a glass. Though not as highly affected with the light of faith, yet as truly and really. That nullifieth sin and misery ; this mortifieth sin, and fortifieth us against misery. We have not such a full enjoyment of God as by the light of glory, yet by the light of faith we have some communion with him ; it somewhat affecteth the heart, as if we saw
78 SERMON UPON ACTS VII. 55, 56.
God on the throne, Christ in the midst of his holy ones, Paul with his crown of righteousness. It sets us above the clouds in affection ; and as to foresight and foretaste, puts us in the midst of the glory of the world to come. Once more, this light of faith is like that sight which God,hath of things, for it is the resemblance of it. There is a double knowledge in God, scientia visionis, et scientia intelligenticc. God seeth all things that shall be in his own purpose and decree ; knoweth all things that may be by his own all-sufficiency. Faith acts propor- tionably ; it seeth all things that shall be in God's covenant and pro- mises : 2 Cor. v. 1, ' We know, that if our earthly house of this taber- nacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' It conceive th what may be by the power of God : Dan. iii. 17, 18, ' Our God is able to deliver us ; ' though not sure of the event. It realiseth the blessing promised; when they have the promise, they have the pledge of the blessing.
[2.] The Spirit helpeth our sight. Naturally we are short-sighted, and there is a thick mist on eternity ; these things are glorious in them- selves, above our experience, remote from us, and we take up with toys and children's trifles. Our own natural wisdom bendeth us to present things : James iii. 15, ' This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly &c., Pro v. xxiv. 4. Reason is debased by sense, and wholly catereth for the body. Therefore true wisdom is from ej'^es anointed with spiritual eye-salve, as the apostle prayeth, Eph. i. 17, 18, * That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him : the eyes of your understanding being enlightened,' &c.
[3.j The nearer approach to death, the clearer sight of heaven and Christ at the right hand of God, as ready to receive them. The most lively acts of faith are then usually put forth, the spirit being about to return to God. David's last words are noted, Num. xxiii. 1 ; so Joshua xxiii. 14. Usually there is then a clearer discerning of heaven, more elevated thoughts about it ; it seemeth another thing than formerly. They that are nearer heaven, in the borders of it, do more vehemently long for and desire the actual possession of the glorious things.
Use. Let us oftener look within the veil. If you would have God look down upon you, you must look up to him. Faith is acted by serious thoughts. Carnal men mind eartldy things ; why not we heavenly ?