(2dh/,) Times of gracious discoveries either of the glory of Christ in himself, or of his love unto us, are seasons that call for this duty. The glory of Christ in his person and offices is always the same, and the revelation that is made of it in the Scripture varieth not ; but — as unto our perception and apprehension of it, whereby our hearts and minds are affected with it in an especial manner — there are apparent seasons of it which no believers are unacquainted withal. Sometimes such a sense of it is attained under the dispensation of the Word; wherein as Christ on the one hand is set forth evidently
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crucified before our eyes, so on the other he is gloriously exalted. Sometimes it is so in prayer, in meditation, in contemplation on him. As an ability was given unto the bodily sight of Stephen, to see, upon the opening of the heavens, " the glory of God, and Jesus standing at his right hand," Acts vii. 55, 56 — so he opens the veil sometimes, and gives a clear, affecting discovery of his glory unto the minds and souls of believers ; and in such seasons are they drawn forth and excited unto invocation and praise. So Thomas — being surprised with an apprehension and evidence of his divine glory and power after his resurrection, wherein he was declared to be the Son of God with power, Rom. i. 4 — cried unto him, " My Lord and my God," John xx. 28. There was in his words both a profession of his own faith and a solemn invocation of Christ. When, there- fore, we have real discoveries of the glory of Christ, we cannot but speak to him, or of him. " These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him," John xii. 41. And Stephen, upon a view of it in the midst of his enraged enemies, testified immediately, " I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." And thereby was he prepared for that solemn invocation of his name which he used presently after, " Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," Acts vii. 56, 59. And so, also, upon his appear- ance as the Lamb, to open the book of prophecies; wherein there was an eminent manifestation of his glory — seeing none else could be found in heaven, or earth, or under the earth, that was able to open the book, or so much as to look thereon," Rev. v. 3. " The four and twenty elders fell down before him," and presenting all the prayers of the saints, " sang a new song" of praise unto him, verses 8-10. This is our duty, this will be our wisdom, upon affecting discoveries of the glory of Christ; namely, to apply ourselves unto him by invocation or praise; and thereby will the refreshment and advantage of them abide upon our minds.
So is it also as unto his love. The love of Christ is always the same and equal unto the church. Howbeit there are peculiar seasons of the manifestation and application of a sense of it unto the souls of believers. So it is when it is witnessed unto them, or shed abroad in theii' hearts by the Holy Ghost. Then is it accompanied with a constraining power, to oblige us to live unto him who died for us, and rose again, 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. And of our spiritual life unto Christ, invocation of him is no small portion. And this sense of his love we might enjoy more frequently than for the most part we do, were we not so much wanting unto ourselves and our own concerns. For although it be an act of sovereign grace in God to grant it unto us, and affect us with it, as it seems good unto him, yet is our duty required to dispose our hearts unto its reception.
1 1 6 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
Were we diligent in casting out all that " filtliiness and superfluity of naughtiness" which corrupts our affections, and disposes the mind to abound in vain imaginations; were our hearts more taken off from the love of the world, which is exclusive of a sense of divine love ; did we more meditate on Christ and his glory ; — we should more frequently enjoy these constraining visits of his love than now we do. So himself expresseth it. Rev. iii. 20, " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." He makes intimation of his love and kindness unto us. But ofttimes we neither hear his voice when he speaks, nor do open our hearts unto him. So do we lose that gracious, refreshing sense of his love, which he expresseth in that promise, " I will sup with him, and he shall sup with me." No tongue can express that heavenly communion and blessed intercourse which is intimated in this pro- mise. The expression is metaphorical, but the grace expressed is real, and more valued than the whole world by all that have expe- rience of it. This sense of the love of Christ, and the effect of it in communion with him, by prayer and praises, is divinely set forth in the Book of Canticles. The church therein is represented as the spouse of Christ ; and, as a faithful spouse, she is always either soli- citous about his love, or rejoicing in it. And when she hath attained a sense of it, she aboundeth in invocation, admiration, and praise. So doth the Church of the New Testament, upon an apprehension of his love, and the unspeakable fruits of it : " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen," Rev. i. 5, 6. This, therefore, is another season that calls for this duty.