We should herein be as the merchant-man that seeks for pearls; he seeks for all sorts of them, but when he hath found one of " great price," he parts with all to make it his own. Matt. xiii. 45, 46. The Scripture is the field, the place, the mine where we search and dig for pearls. See Prov. ii. 1-5. Every sacred truth that is made effectual unto the good of our souls, is a pearl whereby we are enriched ; but when we meet with, when we fall upon this pearl of price, the glory of Christ, — this is that which the soul of a believer cleaves unto with joy.
Then do we find food for souls in the word of truth, then do we taste how gracious the Lord is therein, then is the Scripture full of refreshment unto us as a spring of living water, — when we are taken into blessed views of the glory of Christ therein. And we are in the best frame of duty, when the principal motive in our minds to con- tend earnestly for retaining the possession of the Scripture against all that would deprive us of it, or discourage us from a daily dili- gent search into it, is this, — that they would take from us the only glass wherein we may behold the glory of Christ. This is the glory of the ScrijDture, that it is the great, yea, the only, outward means of representing unto us the glory of Christ ; and he is the sun in the firmament of it, which only hath light in itself, and communi- cates it unto all other things besides.
3. Another direction unto this same end is, that having attained the light of the knowledge of the glory of Christ from the Scripture, or by the dispensation of the truth in the preaching of the gospel, we would esteem it our duty frequently to meditate thereon.
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Want hereof is that fundamental mistake which keeps many among us so low in their grace, so regardless of their privileges. They hear of these things, they assent unto their truth, at least they do not gain- say them ; but they never solemnly meditate upon them. This they esteem a work that is above them, or are ignorant totally of it, or esteem themselves not much concerned in it, or dislike it as fanati- cism. For it is that which no considerations can engage a carnal mind to delight in. The mind must be spiritual and holy, freed from earthly affections and encumbrances, raised above things here below, that can in a due manner meditate on the glory of Christ. Therefore are the most strangers unto this duty, because they will not be at the trouble and charge of that mortification of earthly affections, — that extirpation of sensual inclinations, — that retirement from the occa- sions of life, which are required thereunto. See the treatise on Spi- ritual-mindedness.
It is to be feared that there are some who profess religion with an appearance of strictness, who never separate themselves from all other occasions, to meditate on Christ and his glory ; and yet, with a strange inconsistency of apprehensions, they will profess that they desire no- thing more than to behold his glory in heaven for ever. But it is evident, even in the light of reason, that these things are in'econcil- able. It is impossible that he who never meditates with delight on the glory of Christ here in this world, who labours not to behold it by faith as it is revealed in the Scripture, should ever have any real gra- cious desire to behold it in heaven. They may love and desire the fruition of their own imaginations; — they cannot do so of the glory of Christ, whereof they are ignorant, and wherewith they are un- acquainted. It is, therefore, to be lamented that men can find time for, and have inclinations to think and meditate on, other things, it may be earthly and vain; but have neither heart, nor inclination, nor leisure, to meditate on this glorious object. What is the faith and love which such men profess? How will they find themselves de- ceived in the issue !
4. Let your occasional thoughts of Christ he many, and multiplied every day. He is not far from us; we may make a speedy address unto him at any time. So the apostle informs us, Rom. x. 6-8, " Say not in thine heart. Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above ;) or, Who shall descend into the deep ? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)" For "the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart." The things that Christ did were done at a distance from us, and they are long since past. But, saith the apostle, " The word" of the Gospel wherein these things are revealed, and whereby an application is made of them unto our souls, is nigh unto us, even in our hearts ; that is, if we are true
818 THE GLOEY OF CHRIST
believers, and have mixed the word with faith ; — and so it exhibiteth Christ and all the benefits of bis mediation unto us. If, therefore, this word is in our hearts, Christ is nigh unto us. If we turn at any time into ourselves to converse with the word that abideth in us, there we shall find him ready to receive us into communion with himself; that is, in the light of the knowledge of Christ which we have by the word, we may have sudden, occasional thoughts of him continually: and where our minds and affections are so filled with other things that we are not ready for converse with him who is thus nigh unto us by the word, we are spiritually indisposed.