fib MEDITATIONS A sinn. This transforming efficacy from a spiritual view of Christ as proposed in the gospel, being lost as unto an experience of it in the minds of men carnal and ig- norant of the mystery of believing (as it is at present by many derided, though it be the life ofreligion), fancy and superstition provided various supplies in the room ofit. For they found out crucifixes and images with paintings to represent him in his sufferings and glory. By these things, their carnal affections being excited by their outward senses, they suppose themselves to be affected with him, and to be like unto him. Yea, some have proceeded so far, as either by arts diabolical, or by other means, to make an appearance of wounds on their hands, and feet, and sides, therein pretending to be like him; yea, to be wholly transformed into his image. But that which is produced by an image, is but an image; an imaginary Christ will effect nothing in the minds of men, but imaginary grace. Thus religion was lost and died. When men could not obtain any experience in their minds of the spirit- ual mysteries ofthe gospel, nor be sensible of any spirit- ual change or advantage by them, they substituted some outward duties and observances in their stead; as 1 shall shew (God willing) elsewhere more at large. These produced some kind of effects on their minds and affec- tions, but quite of another nature than those which are the real effects of true evangelical grace. This is open- ly evident in this substitution of images instead of the representation of Christ and his glory, made in the gospel. However there is a general supposition granted on all hands; namely that there must be a view of Christ and his glory, to cause us to love him, and therefore make as conformable or like unto him. But here lies the dif- ference; those of the church of Rome say, that this most be done by the beholding oferucifixes with other images and pictures of him; and that with our bodily eyes: we say, it is by our beholding his glory by faith as revealed in the gospel, and no otherwise. And to confess the truth, wehave some, who, as they reject the use of images, so they despise that spiritual view of the ;glory of Christ which we inquire after. Such persons on the first occasion will fall on the other side; for any thing is better than nothing. But as we have a sure word of prophecy to secure us groin these abominations, by an express prohibition of ND DISCOURSES such images unto all ends whatever; so unto our stabi- lity in the profession of the truth, and experience of the efficacy of this spiritual view of Christ transforming our souls into his own likeness, is absolutely necessary. For ifan idolator should plead, as they do all, that in the beholding of the imageof Christ, or of a crucifix, especially if theyare sedulous and constant therein, they find their affections unto him greatly excited, increased, and inflamed (as they will be, Isa. lvii. 5.) and that hereon he endeavours to be like unto him, what shall we have to oppose thereunto? for it is certain that such images are apt to make impressions on the minds of men; partly from the readinessof the senses and imagi- nation to give them admittance into their thoughts; and partly from their natural inclinations unto superstition, there aversation from things spiritual and invisible, with an inclination unto things present and visible. Hence among them who are satisfied that they ought not to be adored with any religious veneration, yet some are apt upon the sight of them to entertain a thoughtful rever- ence, as they would do if theywere to enter a. pagan temple full of idols; and others are continually making approaches towards their use and veneration in paint - ings.aod altars and such outward postures of worship as are used in the religious service of them. But that they do sensibly affect the minds of men, carnal and superstitious, cannot be denied; and, as they suppose, it is a love unto Christ himself. However, certain it is in general, and confessed on all hands, that the be- holding of Christ is the most blessed means of exciting all our graces, spiritualizing all our affections, and trans- forming our minds into his likeness. And if we have notanother, and that a more excellent wayof beholding him, than they have who behold him, as they suppose, in images and crucifixes, they would seem to have the advantageof us. For their minds will really be affected with somewhat, ours with nothing at all. And by the pretence thereof, they inveigle the carnal affections of .men ignorant of the power of the gospel, to become their proselytes.. For having lived, it may be, a. long time without any the least experience of a sensible im- pression on their minds, or a transforming power from the representation of Christ in the gospel, upon their very first religious, devoutapplication unto theseimages, they find their thoughts exercised, their minds affectedq and some present change made upon them.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=