The Rising Sun, Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. The Glory of the Sun the second Property.
THe Sun is the most glorious Body in the World, from whose Glory light is borrowed to set out the greatest Glory whatsoever.
1. The Church Militant in her greatest Glory, and richest Robes is described to beRev. 12, 1 cloathed with the Sun.
2. And which is far higher, the Saints Triumphant in that great day of Gods greatest glory and mans, when Christ shall be glorified Matth 13 43.in the Saints, and the Saints in him, shall have their glorified Bodies shining as the Sun.
3. Yea, which is more then either, when Christ himself had that great promise fulfilled, That the Kingdome of Heaven should come with power, and was transfigured, His face then shined as the Sun. That was a gloriousMatth. 17 2. day when two Suns shone together But what will that be (said famous Mr Bolton) when there shall be so many Saints, so many Suns?
There is one glory of the Stars, another of the Moon, but a far other of the Sun, said the1 Cor. 15. 41 Apostle. There is one Glory of Saints, another of Angels, but another far greater of this Sun.
Moses had much glory in his countenance,2 Cor. 3. 7. such as Israel could not behold til his Vaile was on, but he needeth a Vaile when he comes into the presence of this Sun to hide his defects. Solomons glory was such, that the fame astonished a Queen, but the …ight dazeled and struck her dead. There was no more spirit in her, it is said.
Angels have a far greater measure of glory.1 King. 10. 5. Daniel the greatly beloved Prophet, and Mary the greatly beloved Virgin couldDan. 10. 17. Luke 1. 29, 30 not stand before it. He fainted, she feared.
But Christ is above all: Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man desp…seth, to him whom the Nation abhorreth, to a servant of Rulers; Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shal worship, because of Isa. 49. 7.the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy Ore of of Israel, and he shall chuse thee.
Yea the Angels themselves cover not their feet only, but their faces, when theyIsa. 6. 2. come before Christ.
The Sun is exceeding glorious, though it dwelleth in that Light accessible, so that his glory doth superare visum, our eye is so weak, we cannot see and see: but Christ who dwelleth in that Light Inaccessible, his glory doth superare Intellectum, we cannot see and live.
1. Therefore admire and adore this gloriousApplicat. 1. Sun of righteousnesse: This is no creature worship, to worship Christ; it is theJohn 19 Col. 1 19 Eph. 1 21 1 Pet. 1. 12 Fathers wil, the same Divine Honour should be given to the Son as to himself. Worsh…p this Rising, this Warming, this Healing Sun; Angels, Principalities, and Powers, stoop and submit themselves to him.
Do to Christ, as the Philosopher, whoDiscendi …am fuit cupidus, ut mori fuit ipsi suave: modo ex dubiis questionibus in quibus sibi sa…isfacere non poterat se p…sset expedare. M…. Adam. viewed and gazed on the Sun as long as he was able, then not able to comprehend his glory, could have wish'd himself with the Sun, that he might know it perfectly. If Erastus was so in love with Learning, that he could gladly have dyed to have his questions resolved, which he could not satisfie himself in. Why should not the Christian desire to be with Christ, in whom though he doth believe, and joy with joy unspeakable, and glorious, yet hath he never seen him, nor can he know him as he is? 1 Pet. 1. 8.S…l…m qui vid…di … causa est, … …ucri non p…ssamus; radas acies submovetur; obtatus in…uentis hebetatur; et si diutius inspicias omnis visus extinguitur. Qui ipsum solis Artific…m, illum … fontem poss…s sustinere, cum …e an ejus …alg… rib… …, à fulminibus abscondas. Minut. Faelix. Act. 36. 13 foreign. Just. Mart. Exp. fid.
2. Pry not then into the Ark, nor presse beyond those bounds, set us below at the foot of the Mount, to comprehend those unconceivable mysteries of Christ his Deity, Personality, Hypostatical Union, which the busie wits of the world studying to reach by their humane reason, have fallen into the most monstrous heresies of the world. Faith must begin where Reason ends. What vessel can contain the Sea? or what visible eye can see …n …nvisible Deity? The Suns beams in reflection, are delightfull, but the Sun directly looked upon, doth blind thee; it must be an Eagle-eye can endure it. It is no wonder if Paul lost his sight when Christ appeared and shone round about him with a light far greater then the Sun.