23. Would that I might mortify my members
that are upon the earth, Col. iii. 5. would that I might
spend my all upon the spirit, walking in the way that is narrow and
trodden by few, not that which is broad and easy. S. Matt. vii. 13. For glorious and great are its
consequences, and our hope is greater than our desert. What is
man, that Thou art mindful of him? Ps. viii. 5. What is
this new mystery which concerns me? I am small and great, lowly
and exalted, mortal and immortal, earthly and heavenly. I share
one condition with the lower world, the other with God; one with the
flesh, the other with the spirit. I must be buried with Christ,
arise with Christ, be joint heir with Christ, become the son of God,
yea, God Himself. See whither our argument has carried us in its
progress. I almost own myself indebted to the disaster which has
inspired me with such thoughts, and made me more enamoured of my
departure hence. This is the purpose of the great mystery for
us. This is the purpose for us of God, Who for us was made man
and became poor, 2 Cor. viii. 9. to raise our
flesh, Rom. viii. 11. and recover His
image, S. Luke xv. 9; 1 Cor. xv. 49. and remodel
man, Col. iii. 10. that we might all be made one in
Christ, Gal. iii. 28. who was perfectly
made in all of us all that He Himself is, 1 Cor. xv. 28.
that we might no longer be male and female, barbarian, Scythian, bond
or free Col. iii. 11. (which are badges
of the flesh), but might bear in ourselves only the stamp of God, by
Whom and for Whom we were made, Rom. xi. 36. and have so
far received our form and model from Him, that we are recognized by it
alone.