It is the second way — namely, by vision in the light of glory — that is principally included in that prayer of our blessed Saviour, that his disciples may be where he is, to behold his glory. But I shall not confine my inquiry thereunto ; nor doth our Lord Jesus exclude from his deske that sight of his glory which we have by faith in this world, but prays for the perfection of it in heaven. It is therefore the first way that, in the first place, I shall insist upon ; and that for the rea- sons ensuing: —
1. No man shall ever behold the glory of Christ by sight hereafter, who doth not in some measure behold it hj faith here in this world. Grace is a necessary preparation for glory, and faith for sight. Where the subject (the soul) is not previously seasoned with grace and faith, it is not capable of glory or vision. Nay, persons not disposed hereby unto it cannot desire it, whatever they j)retend : they only deceive their own sovds in supjDosing that so they do. Most men mil say with confidence, living and dying, that they desire to he luith Christ, and to behold his glory; but they can give no reason v/liy they should desire any such thing, — only they think it somewhat that is better than to be in that evil condition which otherwise they must be cast into for ever, when they can be here no more. If a man pretend himself to be enamoured on, or greatly to desire, what he never saw, nor was ever represented unto him, he doth but dote on his own ima- ginations. And the pretended desires of many to behold the glory of Christ in heaven, Avho have no view of it by faith whilst they are here in this world, are nothing but self- deceiving imaginations.
EXPLICATION OF THE TEXT. 289
So do tlie Papists delude themselves. Their carnal affections are excited by their outward senses to delight in images of Christ, — in his sufferings, his resurrection, and glor^^ above. Hereon they satisfy themselves that they behold the glory of Christ himself, and that with love and great delight. But whereas there is not the least true representation made of the Lord Christ or his glory in these things, — that being confined absolutely unto the Gospel alone, and this way of attempting it being laid under a severe interdict, — they do but sport themselves with their own deceivings.
The apostle tells us concerning himself and other believers, when the Lord Christ was present and conversed with them in the days of his flesh, that they " saw his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth," John i. 14. And we may in- quire, what was this glory of Christ which they so saw, and by what means they obtained a prospect of it. For, — 1. It was not the glory of his ouhuard condition, as we behold the glory and gTandeur of the kings and potentates of the earth ; for he made himself of no reputa- tion, but being in the form of a servant, he walked in the condition of a man of low degree. The secular grandeur of his pretended Vicar makes no representation of that glory of his which his disciples saw. He kept no court, nor house of entertainment, nor (though he made all tilings) had of his own where to lay his head. Nor, — 2. Was it with respect to the outward form of the Jlesh which he was made, wherein he took our nature on him, as we see the glory of a comely or beauti- ful person; — for he had therein neither form nor comeliness, that he should be desired, " his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men," Isa. lii. 14, liii. 2, 3. All things apj)eared in him as became "a man of sorrows." Nor, — 3. Was it absolutely the eternal essential glory of his divine nature that is intended ; for this no man can see in this world. What we shall attain in a view thereof hereafter we know not. But, — 4. It was his glory, as he was " full of grace and truth." They saw the glory of his person and his office in the administration of grace and truth. And how or by what means did they see this glory of Christ ? It was by faith, and no otherwise ; for this privilege was granted unto them only who " received him," and believed on his name, John i. 12. This was that glory which the Baptist saw, when, upon his coming rmto him, he said unto all that were present, " Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world ! " verses 29-33.
Wherefore let no man deceive himself ; he that hath no sight of the glory of Christ here, shall never have any of it hereafter unto his advantage. It is not, therefore, unto edification to discourse of be- holding the gioiy of Christ in heaven by vision, until we go through a trial whether we see anything of it in this world by faith or no.