1. It doâ—h not yet appear what we shall be 1 Ioh. â— 2. And notwithstanding it be much mention'd in Scripture yet is it not as yet seen it is as yet an unseen Glory hidden for the present from the Eyes of those who undoubtedly shall be made partakers of the same 2. It is called a Glory thaâ— shall be revealed 1 Pet. â— 1 And when shall iâ— be revealed Even whâ—n Christâ— Glory shall be revealed then shall Believers be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet 4.13 When Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye aâ—so â—ppear saith the Apostle to the same Colossians Chap. 3 4. with him in Glory 3. It is a Glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. â— 18 So that now it must be an unseen and superâ—xcellent Glory Not an outward show or a borâ—owed Glance but an inward Glory which shall â—e revealed in us 4. It is such a Glory which eye hath not seen â—or ear heard neither hath it entered into the Hâ—art of Man to concâ—ive what this foreordained Glory is Isa. 64 4. 1 Cor 2 9 It were but oâ— small value if Mâ—râ—als by their words could express iâ— yea if creaâ—ed Wisdom could comprehend it or sufficiently understand what it is Leâ— the highest sâ—aring wiâ—s that are propose to themselves the greatest Glory they can imagine and let others come after them and add to theiâ— highest Conceptions and so on until there werâ— none moâ—e to add thereunto And if it were possible the whole Quintâ—ssence of their united Conceptions were molten into one Mass or reduceâ— into one comprehensive Thought it should comâ— short yea very far short of that Mysterious Glory which shall be revealed but hitherto it hath noâ—â—ntered into the Heart of man to conceive How unfiâ— are we then to speak of it being unexpressibly greater than we can imagine Nevertheless let us â—eview some Scriptural Expressions concerning this Glory As 1. Sometimes it is holden forth under thâ— Name of a Kingdom and of a Kingdom bestoweâ— of the Father Luke 12 29 32. A Kingdom appointed by Christ Luke 22.29 And a Heavenlâ— Kingdom whereunto we are preserved 2 Tim. â—â— 18. And what greater Glory can Mortals here eâ—pect then to be Kings and to be Heirs of Kingdoms And O! this a Kingdom of anoâ—hâ—â— kind a Kingdom of Glory wherein there is nothing but pure and unmixed Glory All thâ— Subjects of this Kingdom are Glorious all the Exercises are Glorious all the Air they breath in is Glorious the Meat they feed upon iâ— Glorious all their Garments are Glorious 2. It is called a Crown and a Crown of Glory 1 Pet. 5.4 Kings highly esteem of their Crown and the Rights and Pendicles thereof and will spare no possible means for the defence of the same Though notwithstanding of all their Crowns may fall from their Heads and their Right die out either through their uâ—just Purchase or possessing of the same But this Crown is a Crown of Righteousness 2 Tim. 4.8 A Crown incorruptible 1 Cor 9 25. Kings with all their Crowns more then the Beggar cannot once buy by Deaâ—h Psal. 49.7 8 9. They must return unto the Dust But this is a Crown of Life which preserves from all Deaths and all its Concomitants Revel 2.10 3. They are said to Reign that is really to possess their Kingdom and to enjoy the Glory of their Greatness Earthly Kings may be Titular Kings and no more having the Title without the Kingdom But the Possâ—ssors of this Glory are truly in possession of the Kingdom of Glory They Reign and not only so but they Reign with Christ. 2 Tim. 2.12 And that for ever and ever Revel 22.5 They sit with Christ on his Throne as He sits with his Father in his Throne Revel 3 21. O who can unfold the Glory that is in this Glory that Believers should not only behold the Glory of Christ Iohn 17 24. But that also they should be made partakers with hâ—m therein That He as the Head and they as thâ— Members should enjoy the same Glory How deep and unexpressible is this Ocean of Glory 4. This Glory is held forth under the Name oâ— an Inheritance to point forth the undoubted right which they have thereto through Grace and thâ— sure possession which they shall have thereof iâ— due time It is an Inheritance amongst all them which are Sanctified Act. 20.22 And 26.18 Aâ— Inheritance of the Saints in Light Coloss. 1.12 Aâ— Inheritance incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you 1 Pet. 1 4.5 It is called an Eternal Inheritance Heb 9 15. An Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Ephes 5.5 Further let us consider as to this Glory what other Names it getteth in Scripture 1. It is called a Crown of Glory 1 Pet. 5 4. A Crown of Glory that fadeth not away This is far preferrable to the Crowns of yellow Clay 2. It is an Eternal Glory 2 Tim 2.10 1 Pet. 5.10 This is Glory that fadeth not away no wayes bounded nor confined within the narrow or short Marches of time but stretched out through all the Ages of endless Eternity 3. It is a Glory wherewith the Saints shall appear wiâ—h Christ Coloss. 3 4 Iâ— shall be his Livery who is the King of Glory and the Saints their Livery 4. It is a vast weight of Glory therefore the Apostle knows not enough how to express and demonstrate it 2 Cor. 4 17. Calling it a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory But the Original is more Emphatick as if we should thus express it by one Hyberbole added to another the one supperlative expression surpassing the other It is an Eternal weight of Glory O how wonderful A weight of Glory who can poise it An Eternal weight when shall the weight thereof be pondered An transcendant Eternal weight yea not only so but a far more exceeding and transcendant weight of Glory 5. It is called the Glory of Jesus Christ 2 Thess 2.14 For Believers are made joynt Heirs with him Rom. 8.17 It is the Glory which He haâ—h purchased The Glory which he is now in possâ—ssion of The Glory which He prepareth for His own Joh. 14 3. The Glory which He hath gotten from the Father that He may bestow it on them Joh. 17.22 6. It is a Glory which is the Saints portion Ephess 1.18 Coloss. 1.12 Who must be made meet to be partakers of the same For without are Dogs Sorcerers Whoremongers Murderers Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lye Revel 22 15. No Whoremonger nor unclean person nor Covetous man who is an Idolater hath Inheritanceâ— in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Ephes 5.5 Therefore must the Hâ—irs of this Glory be prepared thereunto Rom 9.23 seâ— Revel 21.27 7. It is a Glory far surpassing all Sufferings whatsomever they are not once to be laid in tâ—â— ballance or compared with the same Rom. â— 18 For I reckon saith the Apostle
according to my Gospel and the preaching of Iesus Christ according to the Revelation of the Mystery which was kept secret since the World began be Glory Rom 16 25 27.5 The Gospel hath a transâ—oâ—ming and changing power cloathing the Heirs of Hell with begun Glory and changing them into the Image of GOD 2 Cor. 3 18. But we all with open face beholding as in â— glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into thâ— same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 6. In a word it is the Instrument of Salvation and therefore called the Gospel of Salvation Ephes 1.13 It is the savour of Life unto Life 2 Cor. 2.16 Before we â—pply this we shall speak a litle to the other part to wit The Riches of Glory Of the Riches of Glory There is not only a Glory to be seen in the Gospel but thereis an exceeding great Excellency of Glory which points forth the singularness and excellency thereof And this will appear First Providing we compare this Glory with other things which either are but such in the esteem of Men or that really have Gloâ—y in muâ—â— less than that Glory which shineth forth â—ere 1. Compare it with that which the Men of this World ordinarly esteem Glorious as greatness of Power and Authority stately Buildings many Servants great and multiplied Titles oâ— Honour and such like Alas what a poor spectacle is all â—he glittering Glory of this World which hath no realiâ—y in it but consists in a meer imagination and the meer blossomings of a â—oving Fancy and fruit of a light and creazie Brain Alas how lean sober and empty is this so called and fancied Glory wherewith the Children of this World are so bewitched taken up with childâ—sh admiration eager gaping and hot pursuing after the same What is it in comparison of this Glory which shineth in the Gospel What is here that should take up the Soul of Man that knoweth what real Glory is What can these ouâ—ward borrowed imaginary Garnishinâ—s do to the real amending and feliciâ—ating of a poor immortal Soul What is here â—or quieâ—ing a raging and disordered Conscience What is here which can make the poor Creature sing when pale Death looks him in the face and when wrestling with the King of Terrors Yea will not the thoughts of all these things wherein the Soul formerly boasted but add to his sorrow and augment his grief now when he seeth he must forsâ—ke all and live in darkness eternally For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away his Glory shall noâ— descend after him Psal. 49.17 What signifiâ—â—h â—hen the Glory of his House how great soâ—ver it be What is the Glory of Great Ones when the Lord kindleâ—h under the same a burning like the burning of a fire Isa. 10.16 Nebuchadnezzar had a Kingdom and Majesty and Glory and Honour so that all People Nations and Languages trembled and fearrd before him whom he would he slew and whom he would he kept alive and whom he would he set up and whom he would be put down Dan 5 18 19. But a poor lamentable Glory was it that could not desend him from the greaâ—est Misery that ever a King or Prince was brought unto Vers. 20 21. But when his heart waes lifted up and his mind hardened in pride he was deposed from his Kingly throne and they took his Glory from him And he was driven from the â—ons of Men and his Heart was made like the Beasts and his dwelling was With thr wild Asses they fed him with gross like Oxen and his Body was wet with the dew of Heaven till he knew that the Most high GOD ruled in the Kingdom of Men and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will See also Isa. 5.14 Therefore Hell or the Grave hath inlarged hee self and opened her mouth without measure and their glory and their multitude and their pomp and he that rejoiceth shall descend into it How vain and empty then â—ust that Glory be which thus dieth out with a fiâ— by stink How far inferiour to this rich and excellent Glory 2. Compare the Gospel Glory with the great and real Glory of Heaven and Earth this piece of Work of the only wise Creator And it will very far surmount these in Glory The noble Fabrick of Heaven and Earth replinished with such variety of Creatures carries clear evidences of the glorious Wisdom Power of Him who hath made the same out of Nothing and sustaineth them continually by the Word of His Power For He spake and it was done He commanded and it stood fast Psal. 33.9 For the Pillars of thâ— Earth are the Lords and He hath set the World upon them 1 Sam. 2.8 He hath established them Psal 89.2 And formed them Psal 90 2. Who can once look upon this Fabrick being so curious in all its points and proportions without observing singular Glory whâ—ch hold forth the Glory of the great Master Builder Who can look upon the Heavens and observe how admirably they are garnished and indented with so many glorious shining Creatures and not fall a wondering at the rare Building and its excellent Contrivance Who can behold the Sea that terrible and vast Creature the dry Land the Hills the Valleys with their pleasant Rivers and watery Rivolets with all their fair and fruitful Inclosures the spacious vast and bowling VVilderness with all their various different and numerous Inhabitants the VVater with its Fishes the Air above with its Fowls And not behold I say a special ravishing Glory therein But O! what is all â—his Glory in comparison to that Glory which shineth in the Gospel The Flowers springs out of â—he Earth and spreads forâ—h â—ts Glory but suddenly it is cut down and withereth so shall the Heavens and the Earth pass away they shall perish yea all of them shall wax old like a Garment and as a Vesture shaâ—l they be changed Psal. 102.26 But this Glory which shines forth in the Gospel is an eveâ—lasting Glory Great was the VVisdom of GOD which shined forth in creating all things of nothing but in the Gâ—spel The manifold Wisdom of God is maâ—e known Ephes. 3 10. 3. Compare the Glory of the Gospel with the first Covenant made with Adam in the state of Innocency so shall there appear here a singular Glory I confess it was a Glorious Business to see that rational Creature Man in a Covenant of Friendship wiâ—h his Maker For there was wonderful Condescendency on GOD's part in that He came under the Bond of the Covenant and under Obligations of a rich Promise unto the Creature in case of Obedience which otherwayes he was indebted to his Creator by vertue of His Creation And pleasant was it to behold the Wheels of the Soul of Man besmeered with the promise of the rich Recompense of Reward But the Glory of the Gospel Covenant daâ—kens that as the rising of the Sun darkeneth the sparkling light of the
Gospel and that so many undervalue and contemn it seeing there are so few real Saints who alone can see the glory and singulaâ— Excellâ—ncy of this Gospel Oh! it is a sealled 〈◊〉 even unto them who 〈◊〉 hear it 〈…〉 the ouâ—ward â—hâ—ll and 〈…〉 sweet and deliâ—aâ— kirnel 〈◊〉 2 Vse Behold here â—he Touch-stone whereby every one must â—â—â—mine himself and judge of Himself whâ—â—her 〈◊〉 be in the Faith or not This special sight and discovery is alone peculiar to Believeâ—s the Spirit of Light which they have received in the Gospel makes them now see another sight than formerly they could apprehend or understand O the depth of Wisdom Power Love Grace Righteousness and Mercy which we now daily more and more discover O what heavenly and divine Glory shines therein and â—haâ— in the very meanest of all Christ's Precepts Otheâ—s take but a carnal and general look of thâ—se Ordinances and therefore not so tender nor so zealouâ— of them who can bear with the mixtures and Inventions of Men amongst them and can fancy a Beauty Decency and Consistency in these Inventions whereas there is nothing in them but a vile deformity And as for the substance of the Gospel the glad Tydings of Peace Reconcîliation with GOD it is unto them an indifferent business far from being all their Salvation all their desire Their Hearts cannot embrace the Gospel as the glorious Manifestation of the Son of GOD which brings to Light Life and Immortality They see not the Glory of GOD in the Face of Jesus Christ. Wo then to such who have not more knowledge of this Business Then 1. A literal speculative knowledge of this Glory of GOD which pusseth up and filleth the Soul with wind and vanity and never sinketh deep into the Soul 2. A tickling outward Motion with somewhat of acquired knowledge that only affecteth the person as the lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant Voice Ezek. 33.32 Their Ears are tickled with the new Tydings of Salvation and of a Mediator to preserve them from the Wrath of GOD and that is all 3. Who have no more than some small tastings in the time of a Communion or at some oâ—her solemn occasion that takeâ— more on them than ordinary but is instantly suffocate without taking further root 4. Wo also to such that have but some Light that forceth to some half works and to some raw wisheâ— that all might be better some Flashes of Resolutions and hasty Undertakings which occasioneth somewhat that looketh like a change thô â—las their Heart in the interim is cleaving to their Abominations and going out continually after their Covetousness To whom God would make known c. These words may have respect both to the outward manifesting of the Mystery of this Gospel Truth As as also to the making known and discovering of this Truth of the Gospel effectualy on the Heart which is more especially here to be understood because that this Revealed Mystery is calldd Christ in them the Hope of Glory In respect of both these the Words hold forth two thingâ— First That this Revelation is of GOD. Secondly That it is an Act of His free Grace and free Love As to the First to wit The outward making known of the Gospel which we shall pass in a word We see that as this Gospel is alone of GOD Who is the Author thereof so the outward publishing of the same dependeth on His free Grace and Will so that he sends it to whom He will and to whom He will He sends it not see Act. 16.7 The Spirit suffered not Paul and his Companions to go unto Bithynta However Satan and his Instruments may have a hand therein nevertheless we are to look mostly to GOD Who has the chief hand in iâ— Who followeth His own Resolution sending the Gospel where He has any to bring in thereby be it one Soul or moe or to 〈◊〉 one lost Groat or one wandering Shâ—â—p which finding incapacitate either to leâ—d or drive He taketh it on His Shoulders rejâ—ycing Luk 15.5 Christ went oveâ— to the Gâ—daâ—ens â—or one poor Soul Paul 〈◊〉 charged to abide at 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 Gospel of Salvâ—â—ion and thâ—t 〈◊〉 〈…〉 the publishiâ—g of 〈…〉 time and place wâ—er◠〈…〉 Providence of GOD have ou◠〈…〉 That we abase our selves in 〈…〉 be ashamed of our unsuteable 〈…〉 Him Who hath sought us ou◠〈…〉 many Thousands whereas we 〈…〉 as any only thâ—t He 〈◊〉 give â—â—â—vidence of the freeness of His 〈…〉 3. That we walk more 〈…〉 benefit that He 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 when 〈…〉 The consideâ—â—â—ion 〈…〉 as to â—ear 〈…〉 the removâ—â—â— the 〈…〉 us as He 〈…〉 Revel 2.4 Tha◠〈…〉 GOD 's Soveraign tâ— who singularly in this disposeth as He will Our carnal Hearts are sometimes ready to rise against Him and to wonder wherefore He suffers so many rich Nations to be so long without one Word of the Gospel of Salvation and suffers it to remain there where the People iâ— wearied thereof and would willingly be quite of it But His Will should answer all such Objections in us and settle all such Distempers in our Hearts We must be satisfied herein for He doth what He will in Heaven and Earth and gives no account of what He doth As to what relates to the other part which is here principally to be understood we learn First That it is GOD alone Who can make known unto the Soul the Glory and Riches of this Mystery and doâ—h effectually publish and reveal it This requires the revealing of the Arm of the Lord. Isa. 53.1 For Flesh and Blood cannot do it but the Father which is in Heaven Math. 16.17 And the Spirit Ephes. 3.5 The God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of Glory must give unto us the Spirit of Wisdom in the knowledge of Him Ephes. 1.17 see Vers. 9. Therefore the Spirit is promised for that effect Ioh. 14.26.1 Cor. 2.10 11 12. Gal. 1.16 This appears further from the natural state of Mankind who cannot know these Mysteries without a divine powerful Revelation Manifestation of the same in them For 1. Natural Men are by Nature blind without knowledge lying and living in darkness And whaâ— can they then discern â—n these Mâ—steries Revel 3.17 Luk 4.18.1 Pet. 2.9 Act. 26.18 Isa 42.7 They are in darkness and darkness hath blinded their Eyes 1 Ioh. 2 11. They walk in Darkness and ly in Daâ—kness 1 Ioh. â— 6 1 Ioh. 2.9 They are of Darkness 1 Thess. 5.5 They are called Darkness it self Ephes 5.8 Yea under the power of Darkness Col. 1.13 2. Therefore they are under a natural Impotency and Unfiâ—ness to understand the things of GOD. 1 Cor. 2 14. The natural Man receiveth not the things of the â—pirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 3. Besides this natural Impotency in the Understanding to take up and know these Mysteries there is also an acquired moral