ON THE GLO which they know not, and corrupt themselves in what they know naturally, as brute beasts. 2. With others hedeals after another manner. By various means he seduceth them into a careless security, wherein they promise peace unto themselves without any diligent search into these things. Hereon they live in a general presumption that they shall be saved by Christ, although they know not how. This makes the apostle so earnest in pressing the duty of self-exam- ination on all christians, 2 Corr. xiii. 5. The rule of selfjudging prescribedby him, is whether Christ be in ns or no; and in us he cannot he, unless he be received by that faith wherewith we behold his glory. For by faith we receive him, and by faith he dwelleth in our hearts, John i. 12. Eph. iii. 11. This is the principal way of' his prevailing in the world. Multitudes by his seduction live in great se- curity under the utmost neglect of these things. Se- curity is granted to be an evil destructive of the souls of men; but then it is supposed to consist only in im- penitency for great and open sins; but to be neglective of endeavouring an experience ofthe power and grace of the gospel in our own souls, under a profession of religion, is no less destructive and pernicious, than im- penitency in any course ofsin. These and the like obstructions unto faith in its'oper- ations being added unto its own imperfections, are ano- ther cause whence our view of the glory of Christ in this world is weak and unsteady; so that for the most part itdoth but transiently affect our minds; and not so fully transform them into his likeness, as otherwise it would. It is now time to consider, that sight which we shall have of the glory of Christ in heaven, in comparison of that which we have here below. New this is equal, stable, always the same, without interruption or diver- sion. And this-is evident, both in the causes or means of it, as also in our perfect deliverance from every thing that might be an hindrance in it, or an obstruc- tion unto it. 1. We may consider the state of our minds hi glory. The faculties of our souls shall then be made perfect, Heb. xii. 23. The spiritsofjsst mers mueleperfec . (1.) Freed from all the clogs of the flesh, and all its influ- ence upon them, and restraint of their powers in their operations. (2.) Perfectly purified fromall principles nt or cHittsT. of instability and variety! of all inclinations unto things sensual and carnal, and all contrivances of self-preser- vation or advancement, being wholly transformed into the image of God in spirituality and holiness. And to take in the state of our bodies after the resurrection; even they also in all their powers and senses, shall be made emirely subservient unto the most spiritual actings of our minds in their highest elevation by the light of glory. Hereby shall we be enabled and fitted eternally to abide in the contemplation of the gloryof Christ, with joy and satisfaction. The understanding shall he always perfected with the vision of God, and the affcc= tions cleave inseparably to him; which is blessedness. The very essential faculties ofour souls in that way and manner of working, which by their union with our' bodies they areconfined unto, are not able to compre- hend and abide constantly in the contemplation of this glory. So that, thoughour sight of it here be dim and imperfect, and the proposal of it obscure; yet from the weakness of our minds, we are forced sometimes to turn' aside from what we do discern, as we do our bodily eyes front the beams of the sun,- when it shines in its' brightnlss But in this perfect state they are able to- behold and delight in this glory constantlyy with eter= nal satisfaction. But asfoe me (saith D'avid), Iwill behold thy face in' 'righteousness: - I shall Xe sati ed, when I awake with' hy likeness, Paul. xvii. 15. It is Christ alone, who is. the likeness and image of God. When we awake in the other world, with our minds purified and rectified, the beholding of him shall be always satisfying unto us: There will be then no satiety, no weariness, no indis- positions; but the mind being made perfect in all its faculties, powers, and operations, with respect unto its' utmost end, which is the enjoymentof God, is satisfied in the beholding of him for evermore. And where there is perfect satisfaction without satiety, there is blessed. ness forever.- So the Holy Spirit affirms of the four living creatures in the Revelation;- they rest not daynor" night, saying, holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. chap. iv.S. They are continually exercised in the ad- miration and praises of God in Christ, without weari- ness or interruption. Herein shallwe be made like un- to the angels. 2. As our minds in their essential powers and fäcul- ties shall be enabled to comprehend and acquiesce in
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