So it will be. It is well if these things be not only neglected, be- cause the minds of men are carnal, and cannot discern spiritual things, but also despised, because they have an enmity unto them. It is not for all to walk in these retired paths; — not for them who are negli- gent and slothful, whose minds are earthly and carnal. Nor can they herein sit at the feet of Christ with Mary when she chose the better part, who, like Martha, are cumbered about many things here in this world. Those whose principal design is to add unto their pre- sent enjoyments (in the midst of the prosecution whereof they are commonly taken from them, so as that their thouglits do perish, be- cause not accomplished) will never understand these things. Much less will they do so, whose work it is to make provision for the flesh, to fulfil it in the lusts thereof
They must make it their design to be heavenly-minded who will find a relish in these things. Those who are strangers unto holy
VOL. I. 21
322 THE GLORY OF CHRIST
meditation in general will be strangers unto this mystery in a pecu- liar manner.
Some men can think of the world, of their relations, and the mani- fold occasions of life; but as unto the things that are above, and within the veil, they are not concerned in them.
With some it is otherwise. They profess their desire to behold the glory of Christ by faith ; but they find it, as they complain, too high and difficult for them. They are at a loss in their minds, and even overwhelmed, when they begin to view his glory. They are like the disciples who saw him in his transfiguration; — they were filled with amazement, and knew not what to say, or said they knew not what. And I do acknowledge, that the weakness of our minds in the comprehension of this eternal glory of Christ, and their instability in meditations thereon, whence w^e cannot steadfastly look on it or behold it, gives us an afflicting, abasing consideration of our present state and condition. And I shall say no more unto this case but this alone: When faith can no longer hold open the eyes of our under- standings unto the beholding the Sun of Righteousness shining in his beauty, nor exercise orderly thoughts about this incomprehensible object, it will betake itself unto that holy admiration which we have spoken unto ; and therein it will put itself forth in pure acts of love and complacency.
CHAPTER IV.
The Glory of Christ in his Susception of the Office of a Mediator — First in his Condescension.
The things whereof we have thus far discoursed, relating imme- diately unto the person of Christ in itself, may seem to have somewhat of difficulty in them unto such whose minds are not duly exercised in the contemplation of heavenly things. Unto others they are evident in their own experience, and instructive unto them that are willing to learn. That which remains will be yet more plain unto the un- derstanding and capacity of the meanest believer. And this is, the glory of Christ in his office of Mediator, and the discharge thereof
In our beholding of the glory of Christ herein doth the exercise of faith in this life principally consist ; so the apostle declares it, Phil, iii. 8, 10, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things loss for the ex- cellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." This, there- fore, we must treat of somewhat more at large.
IN HIS CONDESCENSION AS MEDIATOR. 823
" There is one God," saith the apostle, " and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,'' 1 Tim. ii. 5. In that great difference betAveen God and man occasioned by our sin and apostasy from him, which of itself could issue in nothing but the utter ruin of the whole race of mankind, there was none in heaven or earth, in their original nature and operations, who was meet or able to make up a righteous peace between them. Yet must this be done by a mediator, or cease for ever.
This Mediator could not be God himself absolutely considered; for " a mediator is not of one, but God is one," Gal. iii. 20. Whatever God might do herein in a way of sovereign grace, yet he could not do it in the way of mediation ; which yet was necessary unto his own glory, as we have at large discoursed elsewhere.
And as for creatures, there was none in heaven or earth that was meet to undertake this office. For " if one man sm against another, the judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?" 1 Sam. ii. 25. There is not "any days-man betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both," Job ix. 33.
In this state of things the Lord Christ, as the Son of God, said, " Lo, I come to do thy will, 0 God. -Sacrifice and burnt-offerings thou would est not, but a body hast thou prepared me ; and, lo, I come to do thy will," Heb. x. 5, 9. By the assumption of our nature into union vv^ith himself, in his own divine person he became every way meet for the discharge of this ofnce, and undertakes it accordingly.