This is that which the prophets of old inquired into and after with all diligence, even the mystery of God manifest in the flesh, with the glory that ensued thereon, 1 Pet. ill. Yet had they not that light to discern it by which we have. The " least in the kingdom of God," as to the knowledge of this mystery, may be above the greatest of them. And ought we not to fear lest our sloth under the beams of the sun should be condemned by their diligence in the twilight ?
This the angels bow down to look into, although their concerns therein are not equal to ours. But angels are angels, and prophets were prophets ; we are a generation of poor, sinful men, who are little concerned in the glory of God or our own duty.
Is it not much to be lamented that many Christians content them- selves with a very superficiary knowledge of these things ? How are the studies, the abilities, the time, and diligence of many excellent persons engaged in, and laid out about, the works of nature, and the
THE ADVANTAGE OF MEDITATION ON IT. 221
effects of divine wisdom and power in them, by whom any endeavour to inquire into this glorious mystery is neglected, if not despised ! Alas ! the light of divine wisdom in the greatest works of nature holds not the proportion of the meanest star unto the sun in its full strength, unto that glory of it which shines in this mystery of God manifest in the flesh, and the work accomplished thereby ! A little time shall put an end unto the whole subject of their inquiries, with all the concernment of God and man in them for evermore. This alone is that which fills up eternity, and which, although it be now with some a nothing, yet will shortly be all.
Is it not much more to be lamented, that many who are called Christians do even despise these mysteries? Some oppose them directly with pernicious heresies about the person of Christ, denying his divine nature, or the personal union of his two natures, whereby the whole mystery of infinite wisdom is evacuated and rejected; and some there are who, though they do not deny the truth of this mystery, yet they both despise and reproach such as with any diligence endeavour to inquire into it. I shall add the words used on a like occasion, unto them who sincerely believe the mysteries of the Gospel : " But ye, beloved, building up yoiu'selves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." And the due contemplation of this mystery will certainly be attended with many spiritual advantages.
[1.] It will bring in steadfastness in believing, as unto the especial concerns of our own souls; so as to give unto God the glory that is his due thereon. This is the work, these are the ends, of faith, Rom. v. 1-5. We see how many Christians who are sincere believers, yet fluctuate in their minds with great uncertainties as unto their own state and condition. The principal reason of it is, because they are " unskilful in the word of righteousness," and so are babes, in a weak condition, as the apostle speaks, Heb. v. 18. This is the way of spi- ritual peace. When the soul of a believer is able to take a \dew of the glory of the wisdom of God, exalting all the other holy properties of his nature, in this great mystery unto our salvation, it will obviate all fears, remove all objections, and be a means of bringing in assured peace into the mind ; which without a due comprehension of it will never be attained.
[2.] The acting of faith hereon is that which is accompanied with its great power to change and transform the soul into the image and likeness of Christ. So is it expressed by the apostle, 2 Cor. iii. 18, " We all, with open face 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 " — we aU beholding — ■A.aro'Krpit^oiJ.ivoi, not taking a
222 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
transient glance of these things, but diligently inspecting them, as those do who, through a glass, design a steady view of things at a distance.^ That which we are thus to behold by the continued actings of faith in holy contemplation, is the " glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," as it is expressed, chap. iv. 6 ; which is nothing but that mystery of godliness in whose explanation we have been engaged. And what is the effect of the steady contemplation of this mystery by faith ? 'MsTa/j.op<pov/xiSci — " we are changed "■ — made quite other crea- tures than we were — cast into the form, figure, and image of Jesus Christ — the gTeat design of all believers in this world. Would we, then, be like unto Christ ? would we bear the image of the heavenly, as we have borne the image of the earthy ? Is nothing so detestable unto us as the deformed image of the old man, in the lusts of the mind and of the flesh ? Is nothing so amiable and desirable as the image of Christ, and the representation of God in him ? This is the way, this is the means of attaining the end which we aim at.