PREFACE. V and glory: and he bath promised, that where he is, there we shall be, and that for ever. Other encouragements there are innumerable to stir us up unto diligence in the discharge of the duty here proposed; namely, a continual contemplation of the glory of Christ in his person, office, and grace. Some of them, the principal of them that I have any acquain- tance with, are represented in the ensuing discourse. I shall, therefore, here add the peculiar advantage which we may obtain in the diligent discharge of this duty, which is, that it will carry us cheerfully, com- fortably, and victoriously through life and death, and all that we have to conflict withal in either of them. And let it be remembered, that I do here suppose what is written on this subject in the ensuing discourse, as being designed to prepare the minds of the readers for the due improvement of it. As unto this present life, it is well known what it is unto the most of them, who concern themselves in these things. Temptations, afflictions, changes, sorrows, dangers, fears, sickness, and pains, do fill up no small part of it. And on the other hand all our earthly re- lishes, refreshment, and comforts are uncertain, tran- sitory, and unsatisfactory; all things of each sort being imbittered by the remainders of sin. Hence every thing wherein we are concerned, bath the root of trou- ble and sorrow in it. Some labour under wants, po- verty, and straits all their days; and some have very few hours free from pains and sickness. And all these things, with others of an alike nature, are heightened at present, by the calamitous season wherein our lot is fallen. All things, almost in all nations, are filled with confusions, disorders, dangers, distresses, and troubles; wars and rumours of wars do abound, with tokens of farther approachingjudgments; distress of nations, with perplexities, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are comingon theearth. There is in many places no peace unto him that goeth out, nor to him that cometh in, but great vexations are on the inhabitants of the world; nation is destroyed of nation, and city of city, for God loth vex them with all adversity. And in the mean time, vexation with the ungodly deeds of wicked men, doth greatly further the troubles of life; the sufferings of many also for the testimony of their consciences are deplorable, with the divisions and animosities that abound amongst all sorts of Christians. liness, or the Person of Christ. What mind can con- ceive, what tongue can express, who can sufficiently admire the wisdom, goodness, and condescension of God herein? And whereas he bath proposed unto us this glorious object of our faith and meditation, how vile and foolish are we, ifwe spend our thoughts about other things in neglect of itl (2.) This is also an ineffable pledge of the love of God to our nature. For although he will not take it in any other instance, save that of the man Christ Jesus, into this relation with himself, by virtue of personal union; yet therein he bath given a glorious pledgeof his love unto, and valuationof that nature. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham. And this kindness intends unto our per- sons, as participant of that nature. For he designed this glory to the man Christ Jesus, that he might be the first-born of the new creation, that we might be made conformableunto him, according to our measure; and asthe members of that body, whereof he is thehead, we are participant in his glory. p.) It is he, in whom our nature bath been carried successfully and victoriously through all the oppositions that it is liable unto, and even death itself. But the glory hereof I shall speak unto distinctly in its proper place, which follows, and therefore shall pass it by. (4.) He it is, who in himself bath given us a pledge of the capacity of our nature to inhabit those blessed regions of light, which are far above these aspectable heavens. Here we dwell in tabernacles of clay, that are crushed before the moth; such as cannot be raised ap as to abide one footbreadth above the earth we tread upon. The heavenly luminaries which we can behold, appeartoo great and glorious for our cohabitation. We are as grasshoppers in our own eyes, in comparison of thesegigantic beings; and they seem to dwell in places, which would immediately swallow up, and extinguish our natures. How then shall we entertain an appre- hension of being carried and exalted above them all; to have an everlasting subsistence in places incomprehen- sibly more glorious than the orbs wherein they reside? What capacity is there in our nature of such an habi- tation? But hereof the Lord Christ hath given us a pledge in himself. Our naturein him is passed through these aspectable heavens, and is exalted far above them. Its eternalhabitation is in the blessed regions of light
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