of the PERSON f CHRIST. 167 times of temptation, whenany ofthem walkin darknefs, and have no light. The view and profpeft hereinto is far more clear, and accompanied with more evidence in force than in others, according unto the variousdegrees of their faith and light. The fpiritual fight of force is very weak, and their viewsofthe gloryofGod in Chrift are much obfcuredwith inevidence, dark- nefs andinftabiltty. This in many is occafioned by the weaknefs of their natural ability, in more by fpiritual floth and negligence, in that they have not habitually exercifed their fenfes to difcern good and evil, as the apoltle fpeaks, Heb. v. 14. Some want infirudion, and force have their minds corrupted by falfe opinions. Hewbeit, all true believers have the eyes of their underftanding opened, to difcern in force meafure the glory of Godas reprefented to them inthe gofpel. Unto others it is fooli(hnefs ; or they think there is that darknefs in it whereunto they cannot approach. But all the darknefs is in themfelves. This is the diftinguifhing property and charafter of faving faith ; it beholds the glory of God in the face of Jefus Chrift; it snakes us to lifcern themanifeftation of the glory of God in Chrift, as declared in the gofpel. (a. Our apprehenfion ofthis glory is the fpring of all our obedience, confolation and hope in this world. Faith difcovering this manifeftation of the glory of God in Chrift, engageth the foul unto univerfal obedience, as finding therein abundant reafon for it, and encouragement unto ir. Then is obedience truly evangelical, when it arifeth from this ailing offaith, and is thereon accompanied with liberty and gratitude. And herein is laid all the foundation of our confolation for the prefent, and hope forthe future. For the whole fecurity of our prefent and future condition de- pends on the aftings of God towards us, according as he hath manifefted himfelf in Chrift. (3. From the exercife of faith herein, doth divine love, love unto God proceed; therein alone is it enlivened and enflamed. On tliefe apprehenfi- ons doth a believing foul cry out, How great is his goodnefs ? how great is his beauty? God in Chrift reconciling the world unto himfelf, is the only objeft of divine love. Under that reprefentation of him alone, can the foul cleave unto him with ardent love, confiant delight, and intenfe affe£tions. All other notionsof love untoGod in fanners, as we are all, are empty fancies. Wherefore, (4. All believers are, or fhould be converfant in their minds about there things, with longings, expedations and defires after nearer approaches unto them, and enjoyments of them. And if we are not fo, we are earthly, carnal and unfpiritual. Yea the want of this frame, the negleft of this duty, is the foie caufe why many profeffors are fo carnal in their minds and fo worldly in their converfations. But this is the (hate of them who live in the due. exercife of faith. This they pant and breath after; namely, that they may be delivered from all darknefs, unfiable thoughts, and impeded apprehenfions of the glory of God in Chrift. After theft things do thofe whohave received thefirsfruits ofthe fpirit, groan with- in themfelves. Thisglory they would behold with open face, not as at pre- fent in a glafs, but in its own beauty. What do we want? what would webe at? what do our fouls define? Is it not that we might have a more full, clear, Gable comprehenfìon of the wifdom, love, grace, goodnefs, lao- IineCs, righteoufnefs and power of God, as declared and exalted in Chrift unto our redemption and eternal falvation ? To fee the glory of Cod in Chrift, to underftand his love unto trim, and valuation of hip, to com- prehend his nearnefs unto God, all evidenced in his mediation, is that which he hath promifed unto us, and which we are prelfingafter, See Yoh. xvii. 24. (5. Heaven
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