38 MEDITATIONS AND DISCOURSES. Majestyon high. That the glory and dignity of Christ faith, as an help of our joy, as an object of our hope, in his exaltation is singular, the highest that can be given to a creature, incomprehensible; that he is with respect unto the discharge of his office, under the eter- nal approbation of God, that as so gloriously exalted he is proclaimed unto the whole creation, are all contained in this expression. 3. Hereunto is added the full manifestation of his own divine wisdom, love, and grace in the work of mediation and redemption of the church. This glory is absolutely singular and peculiar unto him. Neither angels or men have the least interest in it. Here we see it darkly as in a glass; above, it shines forth in its brightness to the eternal joy of themwho behold him. This is that glory which our Lord Jesus Christ inan especial manner prayed that his disciples might behold. This is that whereofwe ought to endeavour a prospect by faith. By faith, I say, and not by imagination. Vain and foolish men, having general notions of this glory of Christ, knowing nothing of the real nature of it, have endeavoured to represent it in pictures and images, with all that lustre and beauty which the art and painting with the ornaments of gold and jewels can give them. This is that representation of the present glo- ry of Christ, which being made and proposed unto the imagination and carnal affections of superstitions per- sons carrieth such a show of devotion and veneration in the papal church. But they err, not knowing the scrip- ture, nor the eternal glory of the Son of God. This is the sole foundation ofall our meditationshere- in: The glory that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the real actual possession of in heaven, can be no otherwise seen or apprehended in this world, but in the light of faith, fixing itself on divine Revelation. To behold this glory of Christ is not an act of fancy or imagination. It doth not consist in framing unto ourselves the shape of a glorious person in heaven. But the steady exer- cise of faith on the revelation and description made of this glory of Christ in the scripture, is the ground, rule, and measure of all divine meditations thereon. Hereon oar duty it is, to call ourselves to an ac- count, as unto our endeavour after a gracious view of this glory of Christ: when did we steadfastly behold it? When had we such a view of it as wherein our souls have been satisfied and refreshed? It is declared and represented unto us as one of the chief props of our as a ground of our consolation, as our greatest en- couragement unto obedience and suffering. Are our minds every day conversant with thoughts hereof? Or do we think ourselves not much concerned herein? Do we look upon it, as that which is without us and above us, as that which we will have time enough to con- sider when we come to heaven? So is it with many. They care neither where Christ is, nor what he is, so that one way or other they may besaved by him. They hope, as they pretend, that they shall see him and . his glory in heaven, and that they suppose to be time e- nough. But in vain do they pretend a desire thereof: in vain are their expectations of any such thing. They who endeavour not to behold the glory of Christ in this world, as path been often said, shall never behold him in glory hereafter unto their satisfaction;. nor do they desire so to do: only they suppose it a part of that re- lief which they would have when they are gone out of this world. For what should beget such a desire in them? Nothing can do it, but some view of it here by faith, which they despise, or totally neglect. Every pretence of a desire of heaven, and of the presence of Christ therein, that doth not arise from, that is not re- solved into that prospect which we have of the glory of Christ in this world by faith, is mere fancy and ima- gination. Our constant exercise and meditation on this glory of Christ will fill us with joy on his account, which is an effectual motive unto the duty itself. We are for the most part selfish, and look no farther than our own conceruments. So we may be pardoned and saved by him, we care not much how it is with himself, but only presume it is well enough. We find not any concern- ment of our own therein. But this frame is directly opposite unto the genius of divine faith and love. For their principal actings consist in preferring Christ above ourselves; and our concerns in him, above all our own. Let this then stir us up unto the contemplation of this glory. Who is it that is thus exalted over alle Who is thus encompassed with glory, majesty, and power? Who is it that sits down at the right hand ofthe majes- ty on high, all his enemies being made bis foot-stool? Is it not he, who in this worldwas poor, despised, persecuted, and slain, all for our sakes? is it not thesame Jesus who loved us, and gave himself for us, andwashed
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