Vor. 4 . in spiritual Ex1r'rience. 169 really , and from him it is communicated unto us by the Word. We are thereby ta i1 ht, and do learn it ; for there= by as the Apotfle proceeds, we are renued in the Spirit of our Mind, and do prit on the new man which aster God if created in Kighteoufirrß, and true LL i na ver. 23, ;24.. Firfl,'the .Truth is in Jesus; then it is cxpretfrd in the Word this Word learned, and bJlevd, becornts Grace in the heart, every way anfwe- ru:g unto the Lord Chr it his Image from whom this trans- forming 7rtrth did thus proced.. Nay, this is carried by the Apotfle yet higher, namely uni God the Father hi:nfelf whole Ir ;aie Chriif is, and B.lievcrshus,.through the Word, 2 Cor.. 3. IS. We all with open face beholding as in a ifs the glory of the Lord, are changedinto the Firm linage, from glory ta glory by the Spirit of the Lord, whereunto add, Chap..}. 6. Clod who com- manded light to /hine.out of dar/nrß, bath fhinedinto our hearts. to give the light r f the knowledge of God in the face of Jefus Chri_(f. The Marl pxttcrn or example of all Truth and Holiness is- God himfelf : hereof Chritt is the Image. ver. 4. Chriif is the Image of God, The brightnefs.rf dais tiry, and the exprey Image of his perfòn, Heb. I. 3. The Image ofthe tnvifible God, Col. i. i 5. Hence we are laid to tee the glory of God in the face of Jefacs Christ; because he being his I nage, the Love, Grace, and Truth of the rather are r<preenred and made confpicuous in him. For we are laid to behold it in his face, becaule of the opera and illultrious manifetiation of the glory of God in him. And how do we behold this glory ? in a Glats (as in agl:aß) that is, in the Gospel, which hath the Image and likeness of Chriif, who is the Image ofGod rt. flethd upon ir, and communicated .unto ir. So have we traced Truth, and Grace, from the Per- lon of the Father, unto the Son as Mediator, and thence trans- fufed into the Word. In the Father it is Effntialy; in Jews Chriif originally and exemplarily; and in the Word as in a trans cript or Copy. But doth it abide there ? No, God by the Wotd of the Gospel shines into our hearts, Ch*. ,} 6. He irradiates our minds with a saving light into it, and apprehention of ir. And what thence enfuts?the foul of a believer is changed into the fame Image by the effectual working of theHoly Ghoti, Chap. 3. 18. that is, the likencßof Chriif implanted on the Word, is imprefied
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