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242 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
world, Epli. i. 17-19 ; Col. ii. 2. Howbeit, whilst we are here, we see it but " darkly as in a glass;" it is not evident unto us in its own lustre and beauty. Yea, the remainder of our darkness herein is the cause of all our weakness, fears, and disconsolations. Want of a steady view of this glory of God, is that which exposeth us unto impressions from all our temptations. And the light of our minds therein is that whereby we are changed and transformed into the likeness of Christ. But in heaven this is conspicuously and gloriously manifest unto all the blessed ones that are before the throne of God. They do not be- hold it by faith in various degrees of light, as we do here below. They have not apprehensions of some impressions of divine glory on the person of Christ and the human nature therein, with the work which he did perform; which is the utmost of our attainment. But they behold openly and plainly the whole glory of God, all the characters of it, illustriously manifesting themselves in him, in what he is, in what he hath done, in what he doth. Divine wisdom, grace, good- ness, love, power, do all shine forth in him unto the contemplation of all his saints, in whom he is admired. And in the vision hereof con- sists no small part of our eternal blessedness. For what can be more satisfactory, more full of glory unto the souls of believers, than clearly to comprehend the mystery of the wisdom, grace, and love of God in Christ? This is that which the prophets, at a great distance, inquired diligently into, — that which the angels bow down to look towards,— that whose declaration is the life and glory of the Gospel. To behold in one view the reality, the substance of all that was tjqjified and re- presented by the beautiful fabric of the Tabernacle, and Temple which succeeded in the room thereof, — of all the utensils of them, and ser- vices performed in them, — all that the promises of the Old Testament did contain, or the declarations of the New ; — as it is the most satis- factory, blessed, and glorious state, that by the present light of faith we can desire or long for, so it evidenceth a glory in Christ of another kind and nature than what any creature can be participant in. I shall therefore state it imto our consideration, with some few obser- vations concerning it.
[1.] Every believer seeth here in this life an excellency, a glory in the mystery of God in Christ. They do so in various degrees, un- less it be in times of temptation, when any of them walk in darkness, and have no light. The view and prospect hereinto is far more clear, and accompanied with more evidence, in some than in others, accord- ing unto the various degrees of their faith and light. The spiiitual sight of some is very weak, and their views of the glory of God in Christ are much obscured with inevidence, darkness, and instability. This in many is occasioned by the weakness of their natural ability, in more by spiritual sloth and negligence, — in that they have not
FAITH RESTING ON GOD IN CHRIST. 243
habitually " exercised their senses to discern good and evil," as the apostle speaks, Heb. v. 14. Some want instruction, and some have their minds corrupted by false opinions. Howbeit, all true believers have the "eyes of their understanding opened" to discern, in some measure, the glory of God, as represented to them in the Gospel. Unto others it is foolishness; or they think there is that darkness in it whereunto they cannot approach. But all the darkness is in them- selves. This is the distinguishing property and character of saving faith — it beholds the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ ; — it makes us to discern the manifestation of the glory of God in Christ, as declared in the Gospel.
[2.] Our apprehension of this glory is the spring of all our obedience, consolation, and hope in this world. Faith discovering this manifes- tation of the glory of God in Christ, engageth the soul unto universal obedience, as finding therein abundant reason for it and encourage- ment unto it. Then is obedience truly evangelical, when it ariseth from this acting of faith, and is thereon accompanied with liberty and gratitude. And herein is laid all the foundation of our consolations for the present and hope for the future. For the whole security of our present and future condition depends on the actings of God to- wards us, according as he hath manifested himself in Christ.
[3.] From the exercise of faith herein doth divine love, love unto God, proceed; therein alone it is enlivened and inflamed. On these apprehensions doth a believing soul cry out, " How great is his good- ness ! how gTeat is his beauty ! " God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, is the only object of divine love. Under that repre- sentation of him alone can the soul cleave unto him with ardent love, constant delight, and intense affections. All other notions of love unto God in sinners, as we are all, are empty fancies. Wherefore, —