Notable Quote: Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes (1798 – 1870) on 2 Cor. 4:18: while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.While we look . . . Or rather, we not looking at the things which are seen. The design of this is, to show in what way the afflictions which they endured became in their view light and momentary. It was by looking to the glories of the future world, and thus turning away the attention from the trials and sorrows of this life. If we look directly at our trials; if the mind is fixed wholly on them, and we think of nothing else, they often appear heavy and long.
Even comparatively light and brief sufferings will appear to be exceedingly difficult to bear. But if we can turn away the mind from them and contemplate future glory; if we can compare them with eternal blessedness, and feel that they will introduce us to perfect and everlasting happiness, they will appear to be transitory, and will be easily borne. And Paul here has stated the true secret of bearing trials with patience. It is to look at the things which are unseen. To anticipate the glories of the heavenly world. To fix the eye on the eternal happiness which is beyond the grave; and to reflect how short these trials are, compared with the eternal glories of heaven; and how short they will seem to be when we are there.
Labels: Quotes
posted by The Catechizer and The Deacon | 11:57 AM
2 Comments:
Wasn't Barnes arminian in his theology? I do not know much about him but that seems to stick out in my memory for some reason. Just curious.
Greetings, Mike. I haven’t heard that about Barnes, but I don’t know a lot about him. He was a Presbyterian minister, and, from what of his I’ve read, I haven’t seen that. But I’ll keep a look out!
--Shawn
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