Hence the apostle gives "thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light," Col. L 12. Indeed, the beginning here, and the fulness of glory here-
292 THE GLORY OF CHRIST.
after, are communicated imto believers by an almighty act of the will and grace of God. But yet he hath ordrined ways and means whereby they may be made meet receptive subjects of the glory so to be communicated unto them. That this way and means is l)y the beholding of the glory of Christ by faith shall be fully de- clared in our progress. This, therefore, should excite us unto tliis duty ; for all our present glory consists in our preparation for future gJory.
2. No man can by faith take a real view of this glory, but virtue will proceed from it in a transforming poiver to change him " into the same image," 2 Cor. iii. 18. How this is done, and how we be- come like unto Christ by beholding his glory, shall be fully declared in our progress.
3. The constant contemplation of the glory of Christ will give rest, satisfaction, and complacency unto the souls of them who are exer- cised therein. Oiir minds are apt to be filled with a multitude of perplexed thoughts ; — fears, cares, dangers, distresses, passions, and lusts, do make various impressions on the minds of men, filling them with disorder, darkness, and confusion. But where the soul is fixed in its thoughts and contemplations on this glorious object, it will be brought into and kept in a holy, serene, spiritual frame. For " to be spirituallj^-minded is life and peace." And this it doth by taking off our hearts from all undue regard unto all things below, in com- parison of the great worth, beauty, and glory of what we are conver- sant withal. See Phil. iii. 7-11. A defect herein makes many of us strangers unto a heavenly life, and to live beneath the spiritual re- freshments and satisfactions that the Gospel doth tender unto us.
4. The sight of the glory of Christ is the spring and cause of our everlasting blessedness. " We shall ever be with the Lord," 1 Thess. iv. 17, or " be with Christ," which is best of all, Phil. i. 23. For there shall we " behold his glory," John xvii. 24 ; and by " seeing him as he is, we shall be made like him," 1 John iii. 2 ; — which is our evei-lasting blessedness.
The enjoyment of God by sight is commonly called the BEATIFICAL VISION ; and it is the sole fountain of all the actings of our souls in the state of blessedness : which the old philosophers knew nothing of; neither do we know distinctly what they are, or what is this sight of God. Howbeit, this we know, that God in his immense essence is invisible unto our corporeal eyes, and will be so to eternity ; as also incomprehensible unto our minds. For nothing can perfectly com- prehend that which is infinite, but what is itself infinite. Wherefore the blessed and blessing sight which we shall have of God will be always " in the face of Jesus Christ." Therein will that manifesta- tion of the glory of God, in his mfinite perfections, and all their
CHRIST THE REPRESENTATIVE OF GOD. 293
blessed operations, so shine into our souls, as shall immediately fill us with peace, rest, and glory.
These things we here admire, but cannot comprehend. We know not well what we say when we speak of them : yet is there in true believers a foresight and foretaste of this glorious condition. There enters sometimes, by the Word and Spuit, into their hearts such a sense of the uncreated glory of God, shining forth in Christ, as affects and satiates their souls Avith ineffable joy. Hence ariseth that "peace of God which passeth all understanding," keeping " our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ," Phil. iv. 7. " Christ," in believers, " the hope of glory," gives them to taste of the first-fruits of it ; yea, sometimes to bathe their souls in the fountain of life, and to drink of the rivers of pleasure that are at his right hand. Where any are utterly unacquainted with these things, they are carnal, yea, blind, and see nothing afar off. These enjoyments, indeed, are rare, and for the most part of short continuance. " Kara bora, brevis mora." But it is from our own sloth and darkness that we do not enjoy more visits of this grace, and that the dawnings of glory do not more shine on our souls. Such things as these may excite us to diligence in the duty proposed unto us.
And I shall inquire, — 1. What is that glory of Christ which we do or may behold by faith ? 2. How do we behold it ? 3. Wherein our doing so differs from immediate vision in heaven ? And in the whole we shall endeavour an answer unto the inquiry made unto the spouse, by the daughters of Jerusalem, Cant. v. 9, " What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women ? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charcfe us ?"