Prefatory note.The following treatise may be regarded as a series of Discourses onJohn 17:24. The subject is the Glory of Christ, as therepresentative of God to the church, - in the mystery of his Person,- in his office as Mediator, - in his exaltation on high, - in hisrelation to the church during every age of its history, - and in thefinal consummation of his work, when all things are to be gatheredinto a blessed unity, as the result of his mediation. The treatiseis concluded by a statement of the difference between our views of the Glory of Christ as beheld by faith in this world, and as itshall be beheld by sight in heaven.It is not professedly a sequel to the work of the author on thePerson of Christ; though, from some expressions in the Preface tothese Meditations, they may be regarded in this light. Several of them are evidently an expansion of certain thoughts and views, of which the germ will be found in the preceding work. The two worksare, indeed, so closely connected, that they hare been often published together. It has been thought proper, therefore, to adhereto this arrangement in the present republication of Dr Owen's Works.There are some facts which impart peculiar interest to theseMediation. They were drawn up, according to the author's ownstatement, "for the exercise of his own mind," in the firstinstance; and illustrate, accordingly, the scope and tenor of hisChristian experience. They form, moreover, his dying testimony tothe truth, - and to the truth, with peculiar emphasis, as it "is inJesus;" for they are the substance of the last instructions which hedelivered to his flock; and thee constitute the last work which he prepared for the press. It is instructive to peruse the solemnmusings of his soul when "weakness, weariness, and the near approaches of death," were calling him away from his earthlylabours; and to mark how intently his thoughts were fixed on theglory of the Saviour, whom he was soon to behold "face to face." Onthe day of his death, Mr Parne, who had the charge of the original publication of this treatise, on bidding Dr Owen farewell, said tohim, "Doctor, I have just been putting your book on the Glory of Christ to the press". "I am glad," was Owen's reply, "to hear thatthat performance is put to the press; but, O brother Payne, the longlooked-for day is come at last, in which I shall see that glory inanother manner than I have ever done yet, or was capable of doing inthis world."Mr Hervey thus expresses his admiration of this work: "To see theGlory of Christ is the grand blessing which our Lord solicits anddemands for his disciples in his last solemn intercession, John 17:24. Should the reader desire assistance in this important work, Iwould refer him to a little treatise of Dr Owen's, entitled'Meditations on the Glory of Christ;' it is little in size, - not soin value. Were I to speak of it in the classical style, I shouldcall it aureus, gemmeus, mellitus. But I would rather say, it isrichly replenished with that unction from the Hole One which tendsto enlighten the eyes and cheer the heart; which sweetens theenjoyments of life, softens the hours of death, and prepares for thefruitions of eternity." - Teron and Aspasio, vol. 3 p. 75.The treatise was published in 1684. It was reprinted in 1696, withthe addition of two chapters which were found among the papers of Owen, and in his own handwriting, though too late for insertion in
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