Glory of Christ - Owen - II - Chapter 1

Required reading
Glory of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 1 (The explication of the text).

My summary
Today we begin the substance of the book and are introduced to Owen's text: 'Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me (John 17:24)'.

Owen then lays the foundation of the ensuing meditations in this one assertion: 'That one of the greatest privileges and advancements of believers, both in this world and unto eternity, consists in their beholding the glory of Christ.'

We are then taught that there are two ways of beholding the glory of Christ:
(i) faith;
(ii) sight.

Owen then says he he will discuss the first way (faith) because:
(i) No man shall ever behold the glory of Christ by sight hereafter, who does not in some measure behold it by faith here in this world;
(ii) The beholding of Christ in glory is that which in itself is too high, illustrious, and marvellous for us in our present condition;
(iii) Herein, then, our present edification is principally concerned; for in this present beholding of the glory of Christ, the life and power of faith are most eminently acted.

Then we are shown some advantages of beholding the glory of Christ by faith:
(i) We shall hereby be made fit and meet for heaven;
(ii) No man can by faith take a real view of this glory, but virtue will proceed from it in a transforming power to change him “into the same image,”;
(iii) The constant contemplation of the glory of Christ will give rest, satisfaction, and complacency unto the souls of them who are exercised therein;
(iv) The sight of the glory of Christ is the spring and cause of our everlasting blessedness.

What grabbed me
I loved the advantages for why we should behold the glory of Christ. 

Particularly the third advantage: 'The constant contemplation of the glory of Christ will give rest, satisfaction, and complacency unto the souls of them who are exercised therein. Our minds are apt to be filled with a multitude of perplexed thoughts; — fears, cares, dangers, distresses, passions, and lusts, do make various impressions on the minds of men, filling them with disorder, darkness, and confusion. But where the soul is fixed in its thoughts and contemplations on this glorious object, it will be brought into and kept in a holy, serene, spiritual frame. For “to be spiritually-minded is life and peace.” And this it does by taking off our hearts from all undue regard unto all things below, in comparison of the great worth, beauty, and glory of what we are conversant withal. See Phil. iii. 7–11. A defect herein makes many of us strangers unto a heavenly life, and to live beneath the spiritual refreshments and satisfactions that the Gospel does tender unto us.'

I want a holy, serene, spiritual frame.  Therefore I must behold the glory of Christ.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 2 (The glory of the person of Christ...).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.