But it is not so much the declaration or vindication of this glory of Christ which I am at present engaged in, as an exhortation unto the practical contemplation of it in a way of believing. And I know that among many this is too much neglected ; yea, of all the evils which I have seen in the days of my pilgiimage, now drawing to their close, there is none So grievous as the public contempt of the principal mysteries of the Gospel among them that are called Christians. Re- ligion, in the profession of some men, is withered in its vital principles, weakened in its nerves and sinews ; but thought to be put off with outward gaiety and bravery.
But my exhortation is unto diligence in the contemplation of this glory of Christ, and the exercise of our thoughts about it. Unless we are diligent herein, it is impossible we should be steady in the principal acts of faith., or ready unto the principal duties of obedience. The principal act of faith respects the divine jyei^son of Christ, as all Christians must acknowledge. This we can never secure (as hath been declared) if we see not his glory in this condescension: and whoever reduceth his notions unto experience, will find that herein his faith stands or falls. And the principal duty of our obedience is self-denial, tuith readiness fur the cross. Hereunto the consideration of this condescension of Christ is the principal evangehcal motive, and that whereinto our obedience in it is to be resolved; as the apostle declares, Phil. ii. 5-8. And no man doth deny himself in a due manner, who doth it not on the consideration of the self-denial of the Son of God. But a prevalent motive this is thereunto. For what are the things wherein we are to deny ourselves, or forego what wo pretend to have a right imto ? It is in our goods, our liberties, our relations, — our lives. And what are they, any or all of them, in them-
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selves, or unto us, considering our condition, and the end for which we were made ? Perishing things, which, whether we will or no, within a few days death will give us an everlasting separation from, under the power of a fever or an asthma, &c., as unto our interest in them. But how incomparable with respect hereunto is that conde- scension of Christ, whereof we have given an account ! If, therefore, we find an unwillingness in us, a tergiversation in our minds about these things, when called unto them in a way of duty, one view by faith of the glory of Christ in this condescension, and what he parted from therein when he " made himself of no reputation,'' will be an effectual cure of that sinful distemper.
Herein, then, I say, we may by faith behold the glory of Christ, as we shall do it by sight hereafter. If we see no glory in it, if we dis- cern not that Avhich is matter of eternal admiration, we walk in darkness. It is the most ineffable effect of divine wisdom and grace. Where are our hearts and minds, if we can see no glory in it ? I know in the contemplation of it, it will quickly overwhelm our reason, and bring our understanding into a loss : but unto this loss do I desire to be brought every day ; for when faith can no more act itself in comprehension, when it finds the object it is fixed on too great and glorious to be brought into our minds and capacities, it will issue (as we said before) in holy admiration, humble adoration, and joyful thanksgiving. In and by its actings in them doth it fill the soul mth "joy unspeakable, and full of glory."
CHAPTER V. ^
The Glory of Christ in his Love.
In the susception and discharge of the mediatory office by the Son of God, the Scripture doth most eminently represent, —
II. His love, as the sole impelhng and leading cause thereof. Gal. ii. 20; 1 John iii. 16; Rev. i. 5.
Herein is he glorious, in a way and manner incomprehensible ; for in the glory of divine love the chief brightness of glory doth consist. There is nothing of dread or terror accompanying it, — nothing but what is amiable and infinitely refreshing. Now, that we may take a view of the glory of Christ herein by faith, the nature of ic must be inquired into.
1. The eternal disposing cause of the whole work wherein the Lord Christ was engaged by the susception of this office, for the redemption and salvation of the church, is the love of the Father. Hereunto it is constantly ascribed in the Scripture. And this love of the Father
S34 THE GLORY OF CHRIST
acted itself in his eternal decrees, " before the foundation of the world," Eph. i. 4; and afterward in the sending of his Son to render it effec- tual, John iii. 1 6. Originally, it is his eternal election of a portion of mankind to be brought unto the enjoyment of himself, through the mystery of the blood of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thess. ii. 13, 16; Eph. i. 4-9; 1 Peter i. 2.
This eternal act of the will of God the Father doth not contain in it an actual approbation of, and complacency in, the state and condi- tion of those that are elected; but only designeth that for them on the account whereof they shall be accepted and approved. And it is called his love on sundry accounts.