Oit THE GLORY Or CHRIST. 6O But therewas some difference between the person of David, and an image with a bolster of goats hair, though the one were laid in the room and place of the other. Neither do these things serve unto any other end, but to divert the minds of men front faith and love to Christ, giving them some such satisfactions in the room of them, as that their carnal affections do cleave unto their idols. And indeed it doth belong unto the wisdom of faith, or we stand in need of spiritual light, to discern and judge between the working of natural affections towards spiritual objects, on undue motives by unduemeans, with indirect ends, wherein all papal devotion consiéts, and the spiritual exercise of grace in thoseaffections, duly fixed on spiritual objects. But as was said, it is a real experience of the efficacy that there is in the spiritual beholding of the glory of Christ by faith, as proposed in thegospel, to strengthen, increase, and excite all grace unto its proper exercise, no changing and transforming the soul gradually into his likeness, which must secure us against all those pre- tences. And so I return from this digression. Hereby we may understand whether the Lord Christ doth so withdraw himself, as that we do not, as that we cannot behold his glory by faith, in a due manner, which is the thing inquired after. For if we grow weak in our graces, unspiritual in our frames, cold in our affections, or negligent in the exercise of them by holy meditation, it is evident that he is at a great dis- tance from us, so as that we donot behold his glory as we ought. If the weather grows cold, herbs and plants do wither, and the frost begins to bind up the earth, all men grant that the sun is withdrawn, and makes not its wonted approach unto us: And if it be so with our hearts, that they grow cold, frozen, withered, lifeless in and unto spiritual duties, it is certain that the LordChrist is in some sense withdrawn,, and that we do not behold his glory. We retain notions of truth concerning his person, office, and grace; but faith is not in constant exercise, as to real" views of him and his glory. For there isnothing'more certain in christ- ian experience than this is, that whilewe do really by faith behold the glory of Christ, as proposed in the gospel, the glory of his person and office as before de- scribed, and so abide in holy thoughts and meditations thereof, especially in our privateduties and retirements, all grace will live and thrive in us insome'measure, es- s pecially loveuntohispersone and therein untoall that be- longs unto him. Let us but pat it to the trial, and we' shall infallibly find the promised event. Do any of us find decays in grace prevailing in us; deadness, coldness, lukewarmness,a kind of spiritual stupidity and senselessness coining upon us? Dowe find an unreadiness unto the exercise of grace in its proper season, and the vigorous actings of it in duties of com- munion with God'- and would we haveour souls recov- ered from these dangerous dieases? let us assure our- selves there is nobetter way for our healing and deliv- erance, yea no other way but this alone, namely, the obtaining a fresh view of the glory of Christ by faith; and a steady abiding therein. Constant contemplation of Christ and his glory putting forth its transforming power unto the revival of all grace; is the only relief in this caee, as shall further be slíewed afterwards.- Some will say, that tisis most be effected by fresh supplies and renewed communications of the Holy Spirit, Unless ite fall as dew and showers on our dry and barrenhearts, unless he causeth our graces to spring, thrive, and bring forth fruit, unless lie revive and in- crease faith, love, and holiness inour souls, our back- slidings will- not be healed, nor our spiritual state be recovered. Unto this end he is prayed for, and pro- mised in the scripture.- See Cant. iv. 16: Iva. xliv. 3, 4. Ezek. xi: 19, chap. xxxvi.. 26, Hos. xiv. 5, 6. And so it is. The immediate efficiency of the revival of our souls, is from and by the Holy Spirit. But the inquiry is, in what way, or by what means, we may obtain the supplies, and communications' of him unto this end? This-the apostle declares in the place insisted, on; we beholding the glory- of Christ in á glass, are changed into the same imagediem glory to-glory, roen l'y the Spirit ofthe Lord. It is in the exercise of faith on' Christ in the way before described,- that the Holy Spi- rit puts forth his renewing, transforming power in and uponour souls: This therefore is that alone which will' retrieve Christians from their present decays and dead ness. Some complain greatly oftheir state and' condition, none so dead, so dull and stupid as they. They know' not whether they have any spark of heavenly life left in' them; some make weak and faint- endeavours for a re- covery, whichare like the attempts ofa man ina dream, wherein he seems to use great endeavours without any 1'2
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