Other encouragements there are innumerable to stir us up unto diligence in the discharge of the duty here proposed, — namely, a continual contemplation of the glory of Christ, in his person, office, and grace. Some of them, the principal of them which I have any acquaintance with, are represented in the ensuing Dis- course. I shall therefore here add the peculiar advantage which we may obtain in the diligent discharge of this duty ; which is, — that it will carry us cheerfully, comfortably, and victoriously through life and death, and all that ive have to con- fict withal in either of them.
And let it be remembered, that I do here suppose what is written on this sub-
278 PEEFACE TO THE READER.
ject in the ensuing Discourse as being designed to prepai-e the minds of the readers for the due improvement of it.
As unto this present life, it is well known what it is unto the most of them who concern themselves in these things. Temptations, afflictions, changes, sorrows, dangers, fears, sickness, and pains, do fill up no small part of it. And on the other hand, all our earthly relishes, refreshments, and comforts, are uncertain, transitory, and unsatisfactory ; all things of each sort being imbittered by the remainders of sin. Hence everything wherein we are concerned hath the root of trouble and sorrow in it. Some labour under wants, poverty, and straits all their days ; and some have very few hours free from pains and sickness. And all these things, with others of an aUke nature, are heightened at present by the calamitous season wherein our lot is fallen. All things almost in all nations are filled with confusions, disorders, dangers, distresses, and troubles ; wars and rumours of wars do abound, with tokens of farther approaching judgments ; distress of nations, with perplexity, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. There is in many places " no peace unto him that goeth out, nor to him that cometh in, but great vexations are on the inhabitants of the world : nation is destroyed of nation, and city of city ; for God doth vex them with all adversity." [2 Chron. xv. 5, 6.] And in the meantime, vexation with the un- godly deeds of wicked men doth greatly further the troubles of life ; the sufferings of many also for the testimony of their consciences are deplorable, with the divisions and animosities that abound amongst all sorts of Christians.
But the shortness, the vanity, the miseries of human life, have been the subject of the complaints of all sorts of considering persons, heathens as well as Christians ; nor is it my present business to insist upon them. My inquiry is only after the relief which we may obtain against all these evils, that we faint not under them, that we may have the victory over them.
This in general is declared by the apostle, 2 Cor. iv., " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; we are perplexed, but not in despair ; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." But for this cause "we faint not ; but though our outward man perish, yet the Inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, Avhich is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; while we loolv not at the things which are seen, but at the things Avhich are not seen : for the things which are seen are temporal ; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Our beholding by faith things that are not seen, things spiritual and eternal, will alleviate all our afflictions, — make their burden light, and preserve our souls from fainting under them. Of these things the glory of Christ, whereof we treat, is the principal, and in a due sense comprehensive of them all. For we behold the glory of God himself " in the face of Jesus Christ." He that can at all times retreat unto the contemplation of this glory, avIII be carried above the perplexing prevail- ing sense of any of these evils, of a confluence of them all. " Crus nil sentit in nervo, dum animus est in coelo."
It is a woful kind of life, when men scramble for poor perishing reUefs in their distresses. This is the universal remedy and cure, — the only balsam for all our dis- eases. Whatever presseth, urgeth, perplexeth, if we can but retreat in our minds unto a view of this glory, and a due consideration of our own interest therein, com- fort and supportment will be administered unto us. Wicked men, in their distresses (which sometimes overtake even them also), are like " a troubled sea, that cannot rest." Others are heartless, and despond, — not without secret repinings at the wise disposals of Divine Providence, especially when they look on the better condition (as they suppose) of others. And the best of us all are apt to wax faint and weary when these things press upon us in an unusual manner, or under their long con-
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tinuance, without a prospect of relief. This is the stronghold which such prisoners of hope are to turn themselves unto. In this contemplation of the glory of Christ they will find rest unto their own souls. For, —