Looking Unto Jesus, Book 1 – Book 2

Looking Unto Jesus · Book 1 – Book 2

p. 1LOOKING UNTO JESUS: The firſt Book.

HEBR. 12.2.

Looking unto Jeſus, the beginner, and finiſher of our Faith.

CHAP. I. The Proem, Diviſion, and opening of the Words.

THE moſt excellent ſubject to diſcourſe, or write of, is Jeſus Chriſt. Auguſtine having read Cicero's works,Dulces non ſunt, quia nomen Jeſu non eſt in illis. Aug. Si ſcribas, non ſapit mihi, niſi legero ibi Jeſum. Si diſputes aut conferas, non ſapit mihi, niſi ſonuerit ibi Jeſum. Ber. 1 Cor. 2.2.1 Cor 2:2 commended them for their eloquence, but he paſſed this ſentence upon them, They are not ſweet, becauſe the name of Jeſus is not in them. And Bernards ſaying is near the ſame; if thou writeſt, it doth not reliſh with me, unleſs I read Jeſus there; if thou diſputeſt, or conferreſt, it doth not reliſh well with me, unleſs Jeſus ſound there. Indeed all we ſay is but unſavory, if it be not ſeaſoned with this ſalt. I determined not to know any thing among you (ſaith Paul) ſave Jeſus Chriſt, and him Crucified: he reſolved with himſelf before he Preached among the Corinthians, that this ſhould be the only point of knowledge that he would profeſs himſelf to have skill in, and that in the courſe of his Miniſtry he would labour to bring them to: this he made the bredth, & length, & depth, & height of his knowledge; yea doubtleſs (ſaith he) and I count all things but loſs, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord: Epheſ. 3.18. Phil. 3.8.Eph 3:18Phil 3:8In this knowledge of Chriſt there is an excellency above all other knowledge in the VVorld; there is nothing more pleaſing & comfortable, more animating & enlivening, more raviſhing & ſoul-contenting; only Chriſt is the ſum & center of all divine revealed truths; we can preach nothing elſe as the object of our faith, as the neceſſary element of our ſouls ſalvation, which doth not ſome way or other either meet in Chriſt, or refer to Chriſt; only Chriſt is the whole of mans happineſs; the Sun to enlighten him, the Phyſician to heal him, the VVall of Fire to defend him, the Friend to comfort him, the Pearl to enrich him, the Ark to ſupport him, the Rock to ſuſtain him under the heavieſt preſſures; As an hiding place from the Wind, and a covert from the Tempeſt, Iſa. 32.2.Isa 32:2as Rivers of Waters in a dry place, and as the ſhadow of a great Rock in a weary Land. Only Chriſt is that Ladder betwixt Earth and Heaven, the Mediator betwixt God and Man, a Myſtery which the Angels of Heaven deſire to pry, and peep, and look into. 1 Pet. 1.12.1 Pet 1:12Here's a bleſſed ſubject indeed, who would not be glad to pry into it, to be acquainted with it? This is life eternal to know God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent: Come then, let us look on this Sun of righteouſneſs; we cannot receive harm, but good by ſuch a look; Joh. 17.3.John 17:3indeed by looking long on the natural Sun we may have our eyes dazled, and our faces blackned; but by looking unto Jeſus Chriſt, we ſhall have our eyes clearer, and our faces p. 2fairer;Prov 15.30.Prov 15:30 if the light of the eye rejoyce the heart, how much more when we have ſuch a bleſſed object to look upon? As Chriſt is more excellent than all the world, ſo this ſight tranſcends all other ſights; it is the Epitome of a Chriſtians happineſs, the quinteſſence of evangelical Duties, Looking unto Jeſus.

In the Text we have the act and Object; the act in the Original is very emphatical, foreign; the Engliſh doth not fully expreſs it; it ſignifies an averting, or drawing off the eye from one object to another; there are two expreſſions, foreign and foreign; the one ſignifies a turning of the eye from all other objects; the other a faſt fixing of the eye upon ſuch an object, and only upon ſuch. So it is both a looking off, and a looking on. On what? That is the object, a looking unto Jeſus; a Title that denotes his mercy and bounty, as Chriſt denotes his office and function. I ſhall not be ſo curious as to enquire why Jeſus, and not Chriſt is nominated; I ſuppoſe the perſon is aimed at which implies them both; only this may be obſerved, that Jeſus is the pureſt Goſpel Name of all other names; Jeſus was not the dialect of the Old Teſtament; the firſt place that ever we read of this title as given to Chriſt, it is in Matth. 1.21.Mat. 1.21.Matt 1:21 Thou ſhalt call his name Jeſus, for he ſhall ſave his people from their ſins. Some obſerve that this Name Jeſus was given him twice; once till death, Matth. 1.21. and afterwards for ever, Phil. 2.10. the firſt was a note of his entering into Covenant with God to fulfill the Law for us, & to die for our ſins, the ſecond was a note of ſo meritorious a perſon, who for his humility was more exalted than any perſon ever hath been, or ſhall be. Firſt, Jeſus was the humble name of his deſerving grace: now Jeſus is the exalted name of his tranſcendent glory: at firſt the Jewes did Crucifie Jeſus, and his name; & the Apoſtle did then diſtruſt whether Jeſus was the true Jeſus; but now God hath raiſed him from the dead,Luk. 24.21. Phil. 2.9.10.Luke 24:21Phil 2:9Phil 2:10 & hath highly exalted him, & given him a name above every name, that at the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. My meaning is not to inſiſt on this Name in contradiſtinction to any other names of Chriſt; he is often called Chriſt, and Lord, and Mediatour, and Son of God, and Emmanuel; Why Jeſus is all theſe; Jeſus is Chriſt, as he is the annointed of God; and Jeſus is Lord, as he hath dominion over all the world; and Jeſus is Mediatour, as he is the reconciler of God & man; and Jeſus is the Son of God, as he was eternally begotten before all worlds; and Jeſus is Emmanuel, as he was incarnate, and ſo God with us. Only becauſe Jeſus ſignifie Saviour, and this name was given him upon that very account, For he ſhall ſave his people from their ſins; I ſhall make this my deſigne to look at Jeſus more eſpecially, as carrying on the great work of our ſalvation from firſt to the laſt. This indeed is the glad-tidings, the Goſpel, the Goſpel-priviledge, and our Goſpel-Duty, Looking unto Jeſus.

CHAP. II.

SECT. I. The Duty of looking off all other things, confirmed, and cleared.

Doctrine. 1 BUT firſt we muſt look off all other things; the note is this: We muſt take off our mind from every thing, w^ch might divert us in our Chriſtian Race from looking unto Jeſus. foreign, the firſt word, or firſt piece of a word in my Text ſpeaks to us thus, hands off, or eyes off from any thing that ſtands in the way of Jeſus Chriſt. I remember 'twas writ over Plato's door, foreign, there's none may come hither that is not a Geometer; but on the door of my Text is written clean contrary, foreign, No earthly minded man muſt enter here: not any thing in the world, be it never ſo excellent, if it ſtand in the way of Jeſus Chriſt, is to be named the ſame day; we muſt not give a look or ſquint at any thing that may hinder this faire and lovely ſight of Jeſus.

Gen. 10.7.Gen 10:7Thus was the Lords charge to Lot, look not behind thee; he was ſo far to renounce and deteſt the lewdneſs of Sodom; as that he muſt not vouchſafe a look towards it?

Iſai 17.7, 8.Isa 17:7Isa 17:8At that day ſhall a man look towards his maker, and his eyes ſhall have reſpect to the holy one of Iſrael; and he ſhall not look to the Altars, the work of his hands. This was the fruit of Gods chaſtiſement on the Elect Iſrael, that he ſhould not give a look to the Altars, leſt they diverted, or drew his eyes from off his Maker.

2 Cor. 4.18.2 Cor 4:18We look not at the things which are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen, ſaith Paul. A Chriſtians aim is beyond viſible things, O when a ſoul comes to know what an eternal God is, and what an eternal Jeſus is, and what an eternal Crown is; when it knows that p. 3great deſign of Chriſt to ſave poor ſouls, and to communicate himſelf eternally to ſuch poor creatures, this takes off the edge of its deſires as to viſible temporal things, what are they in compariſon?

But what things are they we muſt look off in this reſpect? I anſwer,—1. Good things. 2. Evil things. Queſtion. 1

1. Good things. The Apoſtle tells us of a cloud of witneſſes in the former verſe, which no queſtion in their ſeaſon we are to Look unto. But when this ſecond object comes in ſight, he ſcatters the cloud quite, and ſets up Jeſus himſelf; now the Apoſtle willeth us foreign, to turn our eyes from them, and to turn them hither to Jeſus Chriſt q. d. If you will indeed ſee a ſight once for all, look to him: the Saints, though they be guides to us, yet are they but followers to him; he is the arch guide, the leader of them, & of us all, look on him. There is a time when James may ſay,James 5 10. …ohn 13.15. Zach. 2 13.Jas 5:10Zech 2:13 take my brethren the Prophets who have ſpoken in the Name of the Lord for an example; but when Jeſus comes forth, that ſaid, I have given you an example, an example above all examples, then be ſilent O all fleſh before the Lord. Let all Saints and Seraphims then cover their faces with their wings, that we may look on Jeſus, and let all other ſights go.

2. Evil things, 1. In general, 2. In ſpecial.

1. In general, we muſt look off all things that are on this ſide Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo, ſo much the rather, if they be evil things; in a word, we muſt look off all ſelf; whether it be ſinfull ſelf, or natural ſelf, or religious ſelf; in this caſe we muſt draw our eyes off all theſe things.

2. In ſpecial, we muſt look off all that is in the world; 1 John 2.16.1 John 2:16and that the Apoſtle comprizeth under three heads, the luſts of the eyes, the luſts of the fleſh, & the pride of life; (1.) Pleaſures, Profits, and Honours.

1. we muſt look off this world in reſpect of its ſinfull pleaſures; Jude tells us, ſuch as are ſenſual have not the ſpirit: we cannot fixedly look on pleaſures,Jude 18.19. Job 21.12, 13, 14, 15.Job 21:12Job 21:13Job 21:14Job 21:15 and look on Jeſus at once. Job tells us, that they that take up the Timbril, and Harp, and rejoyce at the ſound of the Organ, that ſpend their dayes in mirth, are the ſame that ſay unto God, depart from us, for we deſire not the knowledge of thy wayes; what is the Almighty that we ſhould ſerve him? and what profit ſhould we have if we pray unto him? We have a lively example of this in Auguſtines converſion; he would indeed have had Chriſt, and his pleaſures too; but when he ſaw it would not be, Oh what conflicts were within him. In his Orchard (as he ſtories it in his book of confeſſions) all his pleaſures paſt repreſented themſelves before his eyes, ſaying, What wilt thou depart from us for ever? Dimitteſne nos & a momento iſto non crimus tecum ultra in aeternum? Aug. in lib confeſſ. Et tu Domine uſque quo? quam diu, quam diu cras & cras & quare non modo? quare non hoc hora ſinis eſt turpitudinis meae: Aug. ibid Tolle & lege … tolle & lege, Idem ibid. Rom. 13.13, 14.Rom 13:13Rom 13:14and ſhall we be no more with thee for ever? O Lord (ſaith Auguſtin, writing this confeſſion) turn away my minde from thinking that which they objected to my ſoul! What filth? What ſhameful pleaſures did they lay before my eyes? At length after this combate, a ſhowr of tears came from him, and caſting himſelf on the ground under a Fig-tree, he cries it out, O Lord, how long, how long ſhall I ſay, to morrow, to morrow? Why not to day Lord, why not to day? why ſhould there not be an end of my filthy life even at this hour? Immediately after this he heard a voice, as if it had been a boy or a girle ſinging by, take up, and read; take up, and read; and thereupon opening his Bible that lay by him at hand, he read in ſilence the firſt Chapter that offered it ſelf, wherein was written, Let us walk honeſtly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenneſs, not in chambering or wantonneſs, not in ſtrife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jeſus, and make not proviſion for the fleſh to fulfil the luſts thereof. Further then this ſentence I would not read (ſaith Auguſtine) neither indeed was it needful; for preſently, as if light had been poured into my heart, all the darkneſs of my doubtfulneſs fled away. His eye was now taken off his pleaſures, and for ever after it was ſet on Jeſus.

2. We muſt look off this world in reſpect of its ſinful profits: a look on this keeps off our looking unto Jeſus. Whoſoever loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him; juſt ſo much as the world prevails in us, ſo much is Gods love abated both in us,1 John. 2 15. Jam. 4.4.1 John 2:15Jas 4:4 and towards us; ye adulterers, and adultereſſes (ſaith James) know ye not that the friendſhip of the world is enmity with God? Covetouſneſs in Chriſtians is ſpiritual adultery; when we have enough in God and Chriſt, and yet we deſire to make up our happineſs in the creature, this is plain whoreing. Now there are degrees in this ſpiritual whoredome: as, —

1. The minding of this world; ye know there may be adultery in affection, when the body is not defiled; unclean glances are a degree of luſt: ſo the children of God may have ſome worldly glances, ſtragling thoughts, when the temptation is ſtrong, the world may be greatned in their eſteem and imagination.

p. 42. The ſetting of the heart upon the world; this is an higher degree of this ſpiritual adultery: our hearts are due and proper to Chriſt: now to ſet them on the world, which ſhould be chaſte and loyal to Jeſus Chriſt, what adultery is this? Ye cannot ſerve God and Mammon: Matth. 6.24.Matt 6:24that woman that is not contented with one husband, muſt needs be an harlot.

3. The preferring of the world before Chriſt himſelf. This is the height of covetouſneſs, and the height of this adultery; what, to make the members of Chriſt the members of an harlot? Why worldlings! thoſe admiring thoughts are Chriſts, thoſe pains are Chriſts, that love is Chriſts, that time, that care, that earneſtneſs is Chriſts, they are all Chriſts; and will you give that which is Chriſts unto the world? and prefer the world before Chriſt with his own? What, live as profeſſed proſtitutes, that prefer every one before their husbands? how will this expoſe you to the ſcorn of men and Angels? at the laſt day thy will come pointing, and ſay, This is the man that made not God his ſtrength, but truſted in the abundance of his riches; Pſal 52.7.Ps 52:7this is the Gadaren that loved his ſwine more than Chriſt Jeſus. Love not the world, ſaid John. 1 John 2.15.1 John 2:15Chriſt is never precious in mans apprehenſion, ſo long as the world ſeems glorious to him. As we begin to reliſh ſweetneſs in Chriſt, ſo the world begins to be bitter to us: Cui Chriſtus incipit dulc…ſſ…e, neceſſ: eſto mareſcere mundum. Bern.the more ſweetneſs we taſte in the one, the more bitterneſs we taſte in the other.

3. We muſt look off the world in reſpect of its ſinful honours: what is this honour but a certain inordinate deſire to be well thought of, or well ſpoken of, to be praiſed, or glorified of men? as if a man ſhould run up and down ſtreets after a feather flying in the aire, and toſſed hither and thither with the guſts and blaſts of infinite mens mouths; it is a queſtion whether ever he get it; but if he do, it is but a feather; ſuch is this pride of life, honour, vain-glory, it is hard to obtaine it, but if obtained, it is but the breath of a few mens mouths, that alter upon every light occaſion; but that which is worſt of all, it hinders our ſight of Jeſus Chriſt, not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble are called; 1 Cor. 1.26. Heb 11.24, 26.1 Cor 1:26Heb 11:24Heb 11:26wordly honour keeps many back from Chriſt; and therefore Moſes when he was come to years, refuſed to be called the ſon of Pharaohs daughter, —eſteeming the reproaches of Chriſt greater riches than all the Treaſures of Egypt. If the blind Man in the way to Jerico had depended on the breath, or liking, or approbation of the multitude, he had never received the benefit of his ſight;Luke 18.39.Luke 18:39 for they (ſaith the text) which went before, rebuked him that he ſhould hold his peace; they diſſwaded him from running & crying ſo vehemently after Chriſt; experience tells us, how theſe things pull and draw us off from Jeſus Chriſt, the luſts of the eyes, the luſts of the fleſh, and pride of life.

Queſtion. 2 But why muſt we look off every thing that diverts our looking unto Jeſus?

1. Becauſe we cannot look fixedly on Chriſt, and ſuch things together, and at once; the eye cannot look upwards & downwards, at once in a direct line; we cannot ſeriouſly mind heaven & earth in one thought; no man can ſerve two maſters, ſaith Chriſt, eſpecially ſuch as jar,Mat. 6.24.Matt 6:24 and who have contrary imployments, as Chriſt and Mammon have.

2. Becauſe whiles we look on theſe things, we cannot ſee the beauty that is in Chriſt: ſuppoſe a ſquint look on Chriſt, whilſt we have a direct look on other things; alas, Chriſt will be of no eſteem that while; this was the voice of ſinners concerning Chriſt, he hath no form, Iſa 53.2Isa 53:2nor comelineſs; and when we ſee him, there is no beauty that we ſhould deſire him. Indeed beauty is the attractive of the ſoul, the ſoul muſt ſee a beauty in that which it lets out it ſelf to in deſiring: but our wiſhing looks on other things, makes Chriſt but mean and contemptible in our eyes.

3. Becauſe all other things, in compariſon of Chriſt, are not worthy a look; they are but as vile things, as under-things, as poor, & low, and mean, and baſe things, in compariſon of Chriſt: I count all things but loſs (ſaith Paul) for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord. Phil 3.8.Phil 3:8—I count them but dung that I may win Chriſt. foreign, ſome tranſlate it chaffe, others dogs-meat, others excrements, dung; all agree, it is ſuch a thing as men uſually caſt away from them with ſome indignation.

4. Becauſe it is according to the very law of marriage; therefore ſhall a man forſake father, Gen. 2.24Gen 2:24and mother, and cleave to his wife; the Lord Chriſt marries himſelf to the ſouls of his Saints.Hoſ. 2.19Hos 2:19 I will betroth thee unto me for ever; I will betroth thee unto me in righteouſneſs, and in judgement, and in loving kindneſs, and in mercies: and for this cauſe the ſoul muſt forſake all, and cleave unto Chriſt; as married wives uſe to do, we muſt leave all for our husband the Lord Jeſus; Harken, O daughter, and conſider, and encline thine ear, forget alſo thy own people, P…al. 45.10and thy fathers Houſe.

p. 55. Becauſe Chriſt is a jealous Chriſt; now jealouſie is a paſſion in the ſoul, that will not endure any ſharing in the object beloved; the woman that hath a jealous husband, muſt leave all her old companions: if ſhe caſt any amorous looks or glances after them, the husband will be jealous, and Jealouſie is cruel as the Grave. Chriſtians,Cant. 8.6. Exod. 20.5.Song 8:6Exod 20:5 our God is a jealous God, our Chriſt is a jealous Chriſt; He cannot endure, that we ſhould look on any other things, ſo as to luſt after them.

6. Becauſe all other things can never ſatisfie the eye;Eccleſ. 1.8.Eccl 1:8 all things are full of labour (ſaith Solomon) man cannot utter it, the eye is not ſatisfied with ſeeing; it is but wearied with looking on divers objects, & yet ſtill deſires new ones: but once admit it to behold that glorious ſight of Chriſt, and then it reſts fully ſatisfied. Hence it is that the Daughters of Zion are called to come forth; Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, Cant. 3.11.Song 3:11and behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith his Mother hath crowned him in the day of his eſpouſals, and in the day of the gladneſs of his heart. Go forth O ye daughters of Zion, lay aſide all private and earthly affections, and look upon this glory of Chriſt. As the daughters of Jeruſalem ſitting or remaining in their chambers, cloſets, houſes, could not behold the glory of King Solomon paſſing by, & therefore they were willed to come forth of their doors: even ſo, if we will behold the great King, Jeſus Chriſt, in his moſt excellent glory (a ſight able to ſatisfie the Eye, & to raviſh the Heart) we muſt come out of our Doors, we muſt come out of our ſelves, otherwiſe we cannot ſee his Glory; we are in our ſelves ſhut up in a dark dungeon, and therefore we are called upon to come forth into the clear light of faith, and with the Eyes of Faith to behold in daily meditation, the Glory of Chriſt Jeſus.

SECT. II. An Exhortation to look off all other things.

ONe word of Exhortation. Chriſtians! I beſeech you look off all other things, eſpecially all evil things. I know I am pleading with you for an hard thing; I had need of the Rhetorick of an Angel, to perſwade you to turn your Eyes from off theſe things; nay, if I had, all were too little, it is God only muſt perſwade Japhet to dwell in the tents of Shem; and yet let me offer a few conſiderations, venture at a perſwading of you,Gen. 9.17.Gen 9:17 and leave the iſſue with God.

1. Conſider, that all other evil things are in Gods account as very nothing; verily, every man at his beſt eſtate is altogether vanity; not only man, but every man; Pſal. 39.5.Ps 39:5nor every man in his worſt condition, but every man at his beſt eſtate; nor every man: man at his beſt eſtate is little worth, but every man at his beſt eſtate is vanity, emptineſs, nothing; it may be ſo in part, nay, but in every part, he is wholly, totally, altogether vanity; would any man think, that a great, rich, honourable Man, whom we look upon with ſuch high admiring thoughts, ſhould be laid thus low in Gods eſteem? O wonder, wonder! and yet 'tis no ſuch wonder, but one day you ſhall find the experience of this truth your ſelves. Rich men have ſlept their ſleeps, and none of the men of might have found their hands. Pſal. 76.5.Ps 76:5or as others render it, they have found nothing in their hands; that is, rich men have paſſed over this life as men do paſs over a ſleep, imagining themſelves to have golden mountains and rocks of diamond; but when they awake at the day of death, they find themſelves to have nothing. Why Chriſtian, wilt thou ſet thine eyes upon that which is not? Prov. 23.5.Prov 23:51. Obſerve that riches are not; they are nothing, thoſe things that make men great in the eyes of the world, are nothing in the eyes of God. 2. Obſerve that God would not have us ſo much as ſet our eyos upon them, they are not objects worth the looking on. 3. Obſerve with what indignation he ſpeaks againſt thoſe that will ſet their eyes upon theſe vanities, Wilt thou ſet thine eyes upon a thing which is not? q. d. what a vain, unreaſonable, ſottiſh, ſenſleſs thing is this?

2. Conſider that all ſuch things (if they are any thing) they are but trifles, deceits, thornes, miſeries, uncertain things: this is an ordinary theme; it is every mans object, & every mans ſubject, & a very eaſie thing it is, to declaim up the vanity, miſery, uncertainty of the creatures; Ay but do you make it the matter of your meditation, & be you ſerious in it, think of it deeply, and deſire God to be in your thoughts! Oh what work will it then make in your breaſts? O how would it wean your loves and deſires off all theſe things! Chriſtians! conſider all theſe adjuncts of all ſublunary things; when the creatures tempt you, be not inticed by the beauty of them, ſo as to forget their vanity; ſay, Here is a flower, faire, but fading; here is a glaſs that's bright, but very brittle.

p. 63. Conſider the difference of theſe objects, Chriſt, and all other things; as thus, all other things are vanities, but Chriſt is a real, ſolid ſubſtantial, excellent, glorious thing; all other things are temporary, fading things, but Chriſt is an enduring ſubſtance, the ſame yeſterday, Revel. 1.4.Rev 1:4and to day, and for ever, which is, and which was, and which is to come: all other things are thorns, vexation of ſpirit, but Chriſt is full of joy and comfort, a moſt raviſhing object,Cant. 5.16.Song 5:16 all compoſed of loves, or altogether lovely. O who would make it his buſineſſe to fill his coffers with pibbles, when he may have pearls, or gold, or ſilver, or precious things? what, muſt you look off your ſins? why ſee before you the graces of the Spirit of Chriſt? muſt you look off your idel ſinfull company? ſee before you the fellowſhip of the Father, 1 John 1.3.1 John 1:3and the Son, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; muſt you look off your pomp and glory? ſee before you the priviledge of adoption, you ſhall be called the ſons and daughters of God, Rom. 8.13.Rom 8:13heirs and co-heirs with Chriſt; muſt you look off your worldly riches? ſee before you the riches of the graces of Chriſt: muſt you look off ſinful pleaſures? ſee before you fulneſs of joy,Pſal. 16.11.Ps 16:11 at Chriſts right hand are pleaſures evermore: muſt you look off your own righteouſneſs? ſee before you the righteouſneſs of Chriſt Jeſus. O what a vaſt difference is there betwixt theſe objects, Chriſt, and all other things?

4. Conſider that Chriſt looked off heaven and heavenly things for you, how much more ſhould you look off the earth and earthly things, the world and worldly things for him? Chriſt left the glory, the company, the pleaſures of Paradiſe for you, and he made himſelf of no reputation, he nothing'd himſelf (as it were) for you; you know the grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor 8.9.2 Cor 8:9who though he was rich, yet for your ſakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be made rich. O let that melting love win you to him, and wean you off all other things!

5. Conſider that the rational ſoul of man is oft too high a birth to ſpend its ſtrength upon other things? the ſoul of man is of the ſame nature with Angels; it is a kind of divine ſpark; now if a man have a golden mill, he would not uſe it to grind dirt, ſtraws, and rotten ſticks in; the ſoul, the mind, the thinking faculty of man is too high to be exerciſed in the things of this earth; the ſoul is of a moſt excellent capacious nature, it is fit to converſe not only with Angels, but with the eternal God himſelf, with Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt; it is of a tranſcendent being; put all the world into the ballance with it, and it is nothing in compariſon: the ſoul of the meaneſt gally-ſlave is more precious than heaven and earth, than Sun, and Moon, and ſtars, and all the hoaſt of heaven; now if a mans ſoul be of ſuch an high-born nature, if the Lord hath put ſuch a ſpirit into the boſome of man, for him to beſtow the ſtrength of it upon low, baſe, mean, and earthly things, Oh what an evil is this?

9. Conſider how ſhort is the time that you have here in this world: this is the argument of the Apoſtle,1 Cor. 7.29.31.1 Cor 7:291 Cor 7:31 becauſe the time is ſhort, therefore let us uſe the world as if we uſed it not, therefore let our hearts be taken off theſe things; yet a few days, and you ſhall be here no more; time paſſeth on, many hundred diſeaſes are ready to aſſault you; you that are reading, hearing, talking or walking, you muſt very ſhortly be carried on mens ſhoulders, & laid in the duſt, and there left to the worms in darkneſs & corruption; you are almoſt there already; it is but a few days, or months, or years, and what is that when once thy are gone and paſt? and Oh what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and then loſe his ſoule?Math. 16, 26.Matt 16:26

7. Conſider the great account that you are to give of earthly things: it is the ſin of moſt of the ſons of men to look on creature-comforts, but they conſider not the account thy muſt give for them. Oh here's a prevailing motive to take off your eyes! Conſider the laſt accounts; what if you were now to die, and to go the way of all fleſh, and then to make up your reckoning, what good would it do you to remember all thoſe contentments & pleaſures you once enjoyed upon the earth? If the factor, after many years ſpent in forreigne countries, at laſt returns home with this bill of accounts, thus much for ſinging, ſo much for dancing, this for courting, that for feaſting, who would not blame him for ſo fond a reckoning? oh it will be a ſad reckoning if the bill come in, that you have ſpent moſt of your time in looking and gazing upon earthly things.

p. 7SECT. III. Directions how to look off all other things.

1. STudy every day more & more the vanity of the creature: Read over the Book of Eccleſiaſtes well; it is enough, through the aſſiſtance of Chriſt, to teach you that leſſon. A ſerious and fruitful meditation of that word, Vanity of vanities, Eccleſ. 2.2.Eccl 2:2ſaith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity, what work might it make in your hearts; men uſually look on theſe things through ſome falſe glaſs, or at a diſtance, which makes them ſo admire them; but if they could ſee them truly in themſelves, oh how uncomely would they be? or if they could ſee them as compared to Chriſt, oh how vain would they be? honours and greatneſs in that reſpect would appear as bubbles, pleaſures and delights in that reſpect would appear as ſhadows.

2. Converſe but a little with any evil thing on this ſide Chriſt; Have as little to do with the world, the ſinful pleaſures, profits, riches, manners of it, as poſſibly you can; the leſſer the better; things of this world have a glutinous quality, if you let the heart lie any while amongſt them, it will cleave unto them, and if it once cleave to them, there will be no way but either Repentance or Hell fire muſt part them.

3. Be more and better acquainted with Jeſus Chriſt; get nearer to him, be more in communion with him, get more taſtes of Chriſt and heaven, and earth will reliſh the worſe for them. Oh when I look on Chriſt, and conſider, that he that was the Lord of heaven and earth, put himſelf into ſo poor and low a condition, meerly for the redeeming of his Elect, how ſhould this but deaden my heart to the world?Phil. 3.8.Phil 3:8 I account all things but loſs for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord, and account them but dung that I may win Chriſt. If Chriſt be in view, all the world then is but dung, and droſs, and loſs in compariſon; the Glory of Chriſt will darken all other things in the world.

4. Set before you the examples of ſuch Saints, who accounted themſelves pilgrims and ſtrangers upon earth. The Apoſtle gives you a Catalogue of ſuch, who confeſſed that they were ſtrangers and pilgrims on the earth, and ſee how they are uſed,Heb. 11.12.37.38.Heb 11:12Heb 11:37Heb 11:38 they were ſtoned, they were ſawn aſunder, were tempted, were ſlain with the ſword, they wandred about in ſheep-skins and goat-skins, being deſtitute, afflicted, tormented; who were theſe? they were they of whom the world was not worthy. Oh when you read, or hear how joyfully theſe ſervants of the moſt high went through their wilderneſs condition, methinks this ſhould take off your hearts from earthly things.

5. Go in your meditations to heaven, and keep there a while; the mind that is in heaven cannot attend theſe earthly things; would a man leave his plough & harveſt in the field to run with children a hunting after butter-flies? no more will a ſoul that is taking a ſurvey of heaven and heavenly things, fix his eyes on ſuch poor things below: non vacat exiguis, &c. is the character of a truly prudent man; the children of that Kingdom above have no while for trifles, and eſpecially when they are imployed in the affairs of the Kingdom. Oh when a Chriſtian hath but a glimpſe of eternity, and then looks down on the world again, how doth he contemn and vilipend theſe things?Eccleſ. 2.2.Eccl 2:2 How doth he ſay of laughter, thou art mad, and of mirth, what is this thou doeſt? whilſt the Saints are taſting heaven, they feel ſuch ſweet that they care not for other things: Chriſtians! how would this meditation wean your hearts? and make you laugh at the fooleries of the world? and ſcorn to be cheated with ſuch childiſh toyes? If the devil had ſet upon Peter in the mount, when he ſaw Chriſt in his tranſfiguration, and Moſes and Elias talking with him, would he ſo eaſily have been drawn to deny his Lord? what, with all that glory in his eye? ſo if the devil ſhould ſet upon a beliveing ſoul and perſwade his heart to profits, or pleaſures, or honours of the world, when he is taken up in the Mount with Chriſt, what would ſuch a ſoul ſay, Get thee behind me Satan, would'ſt thou perſwade me from hence with many trifling toyes? would'ſt thou have me ſell theſe joys for nothing? is there any honour or delight like this? or can that be profit, which loſeth me this? Some ſuch anſwer would the ſoul return. Oh if we could keep the taſte of our ſouls continually delighted with the ſweetneſs of Heaven; as a man would ſpit out aloes after hony, ſo ſhould we ſpit out all theſe baits of the world with diſdain.

6. Cry mightily unto God, that he would take off your hearts and eyes,Pſal. 119.37.Ps 119:37 turn away p. 8mine eyes from beholding vanity, prays David; either God muſt do it, or you will be wearied in the multitude of your endeavours; but if the Lord draw off the eye, it will be drawn indeed.Pſal. 11….36.Ps 11:36 Incline my heart unto thy teſtimonies, and not to covetouſneſs, prays David again; if the heart bend down-wards, then go to God to erect it, and to incline it heaven-wards; if it be after covetouſneſs, then cry to God, and ſay, Lord, not after covetouſneſs, but after thy teſtimonies incline my heart.

I have hitherto ſtood only at the door of the Text to call you in; if now you will enter, and be intent and fix your eyes, I'le ſhew you a bleſſed, a moſt glorious ſight. But firſt I muſt explain the act, you muſt look.] Secondly, the object, you muſt look on Jeſus.]

CHAP. III.

SECT. I. An Explanation of the Act and Object.

1. FOr the act, you muſt look.] Looking is either ocular, or mental.

Firſt, for ocular viſion, there may be ſome uſe of that in heaven, for there we ſhall look on Jeſus; with theſe eyes ſhall I behold him, ſaith Job; Job 19 27. 1 John 3 2. 1 Cor. 13.12. 2 Cor. 5.7.Job 19:271 John 3:21 Cor 13:122 Cor 5:7& we ſhall ſee him as he is, ſaith the Apoſtle; now we ſee him, as in a glaſs, but then we ſhall ſee him face to face. But till then we muſt walk by faith, and not by ſight.

Secondly, for mental viſion, or the inward eye, that is it that will take up our diſcourſe, and that is it which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of in his prayers for the Epheſians, Epheſ 1.18.Eph 1:18that the eyes of their underſtanding may be opened, that they may know, &c. **Sim…ds ſight and ſaith.Now the excellency of this mental ſight is far above the ocular ſight; for there are more excellent things to be ſeen by the eye of the mind, than by the eye of the body; we only ſee a peece of the creation by the eye of the body, but the mind reacheth every thing that is in it, yea the mind reacheth to him that made it; God is inviſible, & yet this eye ſees God;Heb. 11.27.Heb 11:27 it is ſaid of Moſes, that he ſaw him that is inviſible. 2. It is the ſight of the mind that gives light and vigour to the ſight of the eye, take away the inward light, and the light of the external ſenſe is but as darkneſs and death. 3. It is the ſight of the mind that looks into the worth, uſe, &c. propriety of any thing preſented; the eye can ſee a thing, but not the worth of it; a beaſt looks on gold as well as a man, but the ſight and knowledge of the worth of it is by the internal light of the mind, ſo the eye can ſee a thing but not the uſe of it; a child looks on a tool in the hand of a workman, but the ſight and knowledge of the uſe of it, is only by a man of reaſon that hath internal light to judge of it: and ſo the eye can ſee a thing, but not the propriety of it; a beaſt looks on his paſture, but he likes it not becauſe it is his, but becauſe it is a paſture, and well furniſhed. Now we know that the worth, and uſe, and propriety of a thing, are the very cream of the things themſelves, and this the eye of the mind conveys,Gen. 42.7, 8.Gen 42:7Gen 42:8 and not the eyes of the body. It is ſaid of Joſeph, that he ſaw hi… brethren, and knew them, but they knew not him: this was the reaſon why Joſeph was ſo exceedingly taken at the ſight of his Brethren, that his bowels wrought with joy, and a kind of compaſſion towards them, but they were before him as common ſtrangers, though they ſaw Joſeph their brother a Prince, yet they were taken no more with the ſight of him than of any other man, becauſe they knew him not.

Again, this mental looking is either notional and theoretical; or practical and experimental; the firſt we call barely the look of our minds; it is an enlightning of our underſtandings with ſome meaſure of ſpeculative ſight in ſpiritual and heavenly myſteries: the ſecond we call the look of our minds and hearts, whereby we not only ſee ſpiritual things, but we are**Sub oculorum nomine-omnes affectus notari non rarum eſt. Calv. in Pſ. 25.17. Phil. 3.10.Ps 25:17Phil 3:10 affected with them; we deſire, love, believe, joy, and embrace them. To this purpoſe is that rule, that words of knowledge do ſometimes ſignifie the affections in the heart, and the effects thereof in our lives. And this was the look which Paul longed for, that I may know him, and the power of his reſurrection; (i.e.) that he might have experience of that power, In legendu lib…is non quaeramus ſcientiam ſed ſapo…em Dei. Phil 1.9.Phil 1:9that it might ſo communicate it ſelf unto him, as to work upon him to all the ends of it. And this was the look that Bernard preferred above all looks. In reading of books (ſaith he) let us not ſo much look for ſcience, as ſavorineſs of truth upon our hearts. This I pray (ſaid the Apoſtle) that your love may abound yet more and more, p. 9in knowledge, and in all judgement; (i.e.) in knowledge and feeling. And certainly this feeling, this experimental Looking on Jeſus, is that my Text aims at; it is not a ſwimming knowledge of Chriſt, but an hearty feeling of Chriſts inward workings; it is not heady notions of Chriſt, but hearty motions towards Chriſt, that are implied in this inward looking.

2. For the Object, you muſt look on Jeſus.] It is the bleſſed'ſt Object that the eye of the mind can poſſibly fix upon; of all Objects under Heaven, Jeſus hath the preheminence in perfection, and he ſhould have the preheminence in our Meditation. It is he that will make us moſt happy when we poſſeſs him, and we cannot but be joyfull to look upon him, eſpecially when looking is a degree of poſſeſſing. — Jeſus, for the name ſignifies Saviour; it is an Hebrew name; the Greeks borrowed it from the Hebrews, the Latines fom the Greeks, and all other Languages from the Latines: It is uſed five hundred times in Pauls Epiſtles, ſaith Genebrard: it comes from the Hebrew word Jehoſhua, or Joſhua, which in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah Ezra 5.2. Nehem. 8.17Ezra 5:2Neh 8:17(written after the Babylonian captivity) is Jeſhua, and ſo is our Saviours Name always written in the Syriack tranſlation of the new Teſtament. This name Jeſus was given to Chriſt the Son of God, by his Father, and brought from Heaven by an Angel, firſt to Mary, and then to Joſeph; and on the day when he was circumciſed (as the manner was) this Name was given him by his Parents, as it was commanded from the Lord, by the Angel Gabriel.Luke 1.26.31Luke 1:26Luke 1:31 Not to ſtand on the Name, for the matter it includes both his office, and his natures; he is the alone Saviour of man,Act. 4.12.Acts 4:12 for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we muſt be ſaved, and he is a perfect and an abſolute Saviour;Heb. 7.25.Heb 7:25 he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. I will not deny, but that the work of ſalvation is common to all the three perſons of the Trinity; it is a known rule,Opera trinitatis ad extra ſunt indiviſa. all outward actions are equally common to the three perſons; for as they are all one in Nature and Will, ſo muſt they be alſo one in Operation; the Father ſaveth, the Son ſaveth, and the holy Ghoſt ſaveth; yet we muſt diſtinguiſh them in the manner of ſaving; the Father ſaveth by the Son, the Son ſaveth by paying the ranſom and price of our ſalvation, the holy Ghoſt ſaveth by a particular applying of that ranſom unto men: Now whereas the Son pays the price of our redemption, and not the Father, nor the holy Ghoſt, therefore in this ſpecial reſpect he is called our Saviour, our Jeſus, and none but he.

This object, though contained in a word, is very comprehenſive; herein is ſet forth to our view, the offices of Chriſt, the two Natures of Chriſt, the qualities of Chriſt, the excellencies of Chriſt: O what variety of ſweet matter is in Jeſus? he hath in him all the powders of the merchants; an holy ſoul cannot tyre it ſelf in viewing Jeſus; Cant. 3.6.Song 3:6we know one thing tyres quickly, unleſs that one be all: which ſo is Chriſt, and none elſe, he is all, and in all, all belonging to being; and all belonging to well-being;Col. 3.11.Col 3:11 in things below Jeſus, ſome have this excellency, and ſome have that, but none have all, and this withers contemplation at the root; contemplation is ſoul recreation, and recreation is kept up by variety; but, O what variety is in Jeſus? variety of time, He is Alpha and Omega; variety of beauty, he is white and ruddy: variety of quality, he is a Lion and a Lamb, a ſervant and a Son; variety of the excellency in the world, he is Man, and God. O where ſhall we begin in this view of Jeſus? Who ſhall declare his Generation? or who ſhall count and reckon his Age? All the Evangeliſts exhibit unto us the Saviour, Eſa. 53.8.Isa 53:8but every one of them in his particular method; Mark deſcribes not at all the genealogy of Jeſus, but begins his hiſtory at his Baptiſm; Matthew ſearcheth out his original from Abraham; Luke follows it backwards as far as Adam; John paſſeth further upwards, even to the Eternal Generation of this Word that was made fleſh: ſo they lead us to Jeſus, mounting up four ſeveral ſteps; in the one we ſee him only among the men of his own time; in the ſecond he is ſeen in the Tent of Abraham; in the third he is yet higher, to wit in Adam; and finally, having traverſed all ages, through ſo many generations, we come to contemplate him in the beginning, in the boſom of the Father, in that eternity in which he was with God before all worlds: And there let us begin, ſtill Looking unto Jeſus, as he carries on the great work of our ſalvation from firſt to laſt, from everlaſting to everlaſting.

p. 10SECT. II. The main Doctrine, and confirmation of it.

BUt for the foundation of our building take this Note. —

Inward experimental looking unto Jeſus, ſuch as ſtirs up affections in the heart, Doctrine. 2 and the effects thereof in our life, it is an Ordinance of Chriſt; a choice, an high Goſpel-ordinance.

Or thus, Inward experimental knowing, conſidering, deſiring, hoping, believing, loving, joying, calling on Jeſus, and conforming to Jeſus, it is a complicate, foulded, compounded Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt.

I need not much to explain the Point, you ſee here is an Ordinance, or a Goſpel-duty held forth; many other Duties we have elſewhere deſcribed, but this we have kept for this place; and the rather for that this is a choice Duty, a compounded Duty, an high Goſpel-ordinance. No queſtion but Watchfulneſs, Self-trial, Self-denial, Experiences, Evidences, Meditation, Life of Faith, &c. do well in their place and order; yet as oars in a boat, (though it be carried with the tyde) may help it to go faſter; it is Jeſus lifted up, (as Moſes lifted up the Serpent) which ſtrikes more ſoundly into the beholder, than any other way. Looking unto Jeſus, is that great Ordinance appointed by God for our moſt eſpecial good. How many ſouls have buſied themſelves in the uſe of other means, and though in them Chriſt hath communicated ſome vertue to them, yet becauſe they did not trade more with him, they had little in compariſon? ſuch a one as deals immediately with Chriſt will do more in a day, than another in a year, and therefore I call it a choice, a compleat, a complicate, an high Goſpel-Ordinance. Now what this Ordinance is, the Text tells you, it is a Looking unto Jeſus.

1. Jeſus is the Object; and Jeſus ††I ground this on all the Texts jointly, as on Iſa. 45, 22. Iſa. 65.1. Micha 7.7. Zach 12.10. Numb. 21.8. John 3.15. Heb. 12.2. Phil. 3.20. 2 Cor. 3.18. Mat 1.21. &c. Iſa. 45.22. Iſa 65.1. Pſalm 25.15 Pſalm. 34 5. Heb. 12.3.Isa 45:22Isa 65:1Mic 7:7Zech 12:10Num 21:8John 3:15Heb 12:2Phil 3:202 Cor 3:18Matt 1:21Ps 25:15Ps 34:5Heb 12:3as Jeſus, as he is our Saviour, as he hath negotiated, or ſhall yet negotiate in the great buſineſs of our ſalvation. 2. Looking unto, is the act; but how? it is ſuch a Look as includes all theſe acts, knowing, conſidering, deſiring, hoping, believing, loving, joying, enjoying of Jeſus, and conforming to Jeſus. It is ſuch a look as ſtirs up affections in the heart, and the effects thereof in our life; it is ſuch a look as leaves a quickening and enlivening upon the ſpirit; it is ſuch a look as works us into a warm affection, raiſed reſolution, an holy and upright converſation. Briefly, it is an inward, experimental Looking unto Jeſus.

For confirmation of the point; this was the Lords charge to the Gentiles of old, Look unto me, and be ye ſaved all the ends of the Earth.— And I ſaid, behold me, behold me, unto a Nation that was not called by my Name. And according to this command was their practiſe; Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord, ſaith David, and they looked unto him and were lightened, and their faces were not aſhamed.— Thus in the Goſpel, after this command, Looking unto Jeſus, it follows, Conſider him that hath endured ſuch contradiction of ſinners againſt himſelf. And according to this command is the practiſe of Goſpel-believers,2 Cor. 3 18.2 Cor 3:18 We all with open face beholding as in a glaſs the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame Image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Inſtead of the vail of Moſaical figures, God hath now given to his Church the clear glaſs of the Goſpel; and hence all believers under the Goſpel do by contemplative Faith, behold Chriſt, together with the glorious light of his mercy, truth, goodneſs, and the reſt of his Divine Attributes; and by means thereof they are made like unto him in the glory of Holineſs, and in newneſs of life.

The reaſons why we are thus to Look unto Jeſus, will be as ſo many motives, which we ſhall reſerve to an uſe of Exhortation; but the reaſons why this Looking unto Jeſus, is, 1. An Ordinance. 2. An Ordinance of Chriſt, may be theſe. —

1. Why an Ordinance? here is only this reaſon, the will of the Lord: Even ſo father, for ſo it ſeemed good in thy ſight. Ordinances are certain impoſitions ſet forth by an external mandate of a Lawgiver, having Authority to command. It is the will of Chriſt to impoſe this Law on all the ſons of men, that they ſhould Look up unto him; and concerning this, what have we to do to enquire into the reaſon? it is our Duty to obey, and not to know of him why he commands; if foreign was enough in p. 11Pythagoras his School, to put the buſineſs paſt diſputing amongſt his Scholars, I am ſure it ſhould be much more in Chriſts School; we will therefore enquire no further reaſon for it.

2. Why an Ordinance of Chriſt? it is this; becauſe all ſpiritual Ordinances, Laws, Inſtitutions, do hold on Chriſt; it is not in the liberty of man to erect any new ſpiritual Ordinance in the Church of Chriſt. I will not deny, but the power of man may come in to order ſuch things, as are not proper, but rather common to the Church with other ſocieties, as to meet together in ſome place, and at ſome time, &c. according to that rule, Let all things be done decently, and in order; for this is not an inſtitution,1 Cor. 14.42.1 Cor 14:42 but only the dictate of right reaſon. But when it comes up to an Ordinance, Law, Inſtitution, (i.e.) when ſomething more ſhall be put on the thing, than nature hath put on it, when by vertue of the inſtitution, there is conjoyned to it ſome kind of ſpiritual efficacy to work upon the ſoul, this only holds on Chriſt. Hence, becauſe in the preaching of the Word, and in the adminiſtration of the Sacraments we expect a vertue, a ſpiritual efficacy, more than they have or can yeild in any natural way, therefore we ſay, theſe are Ordinances of Chriſt; & ſo becauſe in Looking unto Jeſus, we expect a vertue, a ſpiritual efficacy, to go along together with it, more than nature can give it; therefore we call this an Ordinance, and an Ordinance of Chriſt, to diſtinguiſh it from all other Ordinances, Rules, Conſtitutions of men whatſoever.

SECT. III. Ʋſe of Reproof.

WEll then, is inward experimental looking unto Jeſus a choice, an high Goſpel-Ordinance? Ʋſe 1 how may this reprove thouſands? how many are there, that mind not this Duty? the truth is, that as the whole world lies in wickedneſs, 1 John 5.19.1 John 5:19ſo the eyes of the whole world are miſplaced; there's few that have a care of this choice, of this high Goſpel-Ordinance: I ſhall therefore reprove both the ungodly, and godly.

1. For the ungodly, not God, nor Chriſt is in all their thoughts. Alas!Pſal. 10.4.Ps 10:4 they never heard of ſuch a Duty as this; they cannot tell what it means, to Look unto Jeſus. Nor ſpeak I only of poor Indians, and other Savages of the unchriſtian world, whoſe ſouls are over clouded with the blackeſt miſts of irreligion, that the Prince of darkneſs can poſſibly inwrap them in, who came into the world, not knowing wherefore; and go out of the world, not knowing whither, an heavie caſe, which cannot ſufficiently be bewailed with tears of blood; But I ſpeak of ſuch as live with in the Paradiſe of the Chriſtian Church, that have nothing to diſtinguiſh them from thoſe Indian miſcreants, but an outward conformity, outward formalities, the charity of others, and their own ſlight imaginations; why alas! theſe are they that the Lord complains of, that they have eyes, and ſee not;Jer. 2 32.Jer 2:32 My people have forgotten me dayes without number, they have negligently ſuffered me to be out of their minds, and that for a long time. You will ſay, is there any ſuch here? Can I tax any of you, that you ſhould not Look up to Jeſus? are not your eyes towards Chriſt in your prayers, praiſe, ſoliloquies, publick and private Duties? Nay, are not you now in the Duty, whileſt I am ſpeaking, and you hearing?

I anſwer, however you may deem that you do this or that; yet God reckons it as a thing not done in theſe reſpects. —

1. When it's not done to purpoſe; as if our looking to Chriſt makes us not like Chriſt; a man may give a thouſand glances every day towards Chriſt, yet if there be no effectual impreſſion upon the heart, Chriſt takes it as if he had never looked towards him at all.

2. When it's done unwillingly. Sometimes men think of Chriſt, but they know not how to ſhun it; the Lord breaks in upon their ſpirits whether they will or no, whereas their own temper is to follow, & to purſue other objects: thus you drop into our aſſemblies out of cuſtome, or faſhion, or for ſome ſiniſter end, and here is Chriſt lifted up upon the pole, he is diſcovered in his beauties, graces, ſweetneſſes, excellencies; but when you ſee him, you ſay, he hath no forme nor comlineſs; Iſa. 53.2. Iſa. 52.3.Isa 53:2Isa 52:3there is beauty that we ſhould deſire him. Let no man deceive himſelf; though he caſt his eyes towards Heaven all the day long, if he love not this work, he doth nothing, he Looks not at Jeſus.

3. When it's not done according to the rule; this is not to eat the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11.20.1 Cor 11:20ſaid Paul to his Corinthians; no queſtion they did eat it, but becauſe it was not done after its due manner, he ſaith, this is not to eat the Lords Supper. Many think of Chriſt, and Look up to Jeſus, but becauſe their thoughts are not holy, awful and ſubjecting to the Spirit, in no way proportionable to the goodneſs and glory of the Son of God, they look looſely, careleſly, and carnally upon him, he therefore reckons it as not done: this is not to Look unto Jeſus.

p. 124. When a man makes it not his courſe and trade to look unto Jeſus. A man may come unto a Carpenters houſe, & take up his tools, & do ſomthing at his work, but this makes him not a Carpenter, becauſe it is not his trade. The beſt Saints ſin; yet becauſe it is not their trade and courſe,1 Iohn 5.181 John 5:18 they are ſaid, not to ſin: whoſoever is born of God, ſinneth not. And ſo ungodly men may look, and muſe, and meditate, and think of Chriſt; but becauſe this is not their courſe and trade, they make it not their work to look to Chriſt, they are therefore ſaid, not to look to him.

Why now conſider, you that plead that you are Chriſtians, & that you mind Chriſt at this very inſtant, that you are in the duty, even whilſt I am ſpeaking of it, and yet you neither do it to purpoſe, nor willingly, nor according to rule, nor as it is your trade; is it not with you,Matth 7.22Matt 7:22 as it is with them of whom Chriſt ſpake; many will ſay to me at that day, Lord, Lord, have we not propheſied in they name? and in thy name have caſt out devils? and in thy name have done many wonderful works? they will plead at the laſt day, as you plead now; but for all that, you know the anſwer, I never knew you, depart from me ye workers of iniquity. Verſ 23Surely Chriſt will ſay to you one day, I know you not, I was a ſtranger to you upon earth; I could not have an eye from you, but when your lazie idle ſpirits pleaſed: and now out of my ſight, I'le never own you, nor look upon you more.

2. For the godly, are not they careleſs of this Duty? O their excurſions from God! ſad dejections of ſpirit! inordinat affections of the world! and in the mean-while, O the neglect of this Goſpel-ordinance, even amongſt Saints themſelves! I know not whether, through want of skill, or through want of will; but ſure I am, this duty lies dormant, neglected of moſt of the people of God: their faults I may expreſs in theſe reſpects. —

1. In not ſending out their underſtandings, in not pointing their minds towards Jeſus. I write unto you (ſaid the Apoſtle) to ſtir up your pure minds, by way of remembrance; it is in the Original foreign,2 Pet. 3.1 Pſal. 57.8 Judg 7.122 Pet 3:1Ps 57:8Judg 7:12 to awaken your pure minds; and it was but need. See how David calls upon himſelf, Awake my glory! and ſee how Deborah calls upon her ſelf, Awake, awake Deborah, awake, awake, utter a ſong. Awaking is a word that imports rouzing, as birds that provoke their young ones by flight to make uſe of their wings; now, how few are there that thus call upon themſelves? it was the Prophets complaint, no man ſtirs up himſelf, Iſa. 64.7Isa 64:7to take hold of God. O what a ſhame is this? is it fit that our underſtandings, which God hath entruſted us withal, ſhould be no more improved? is it fit that our minds (thoſe golden cabinets which God hath given us, to be filled with heavenly treaſure) ſhould either be empty, or ſtuft with vanity, nothing, worſe then nothing? O that ſuch glorious creatures as our ſouls, ſhould lacquey after every creature, which ſhould be in attendance upon Chriſt, which ſhould be like Angels, waiting and ſtanding in the preſence of our God! O that ſuch glorious things as our immortal ſpirits, ſhould run after vanity, and ſo become vain; which if rightly improved, ſhould walk with Angels, ſhould lodge themſelves in the boſom of the glorious God! Do we not ſee how Chriſt is ſending out to us continually? the thoughts of his heart are love, eternal love? and ſhall not we ſend out our thoughts towards him? ſhall not we let our minds run out towards him?

2. In not bending of their minds to this work. It may be the mind looks up, but it's ſo feeble, that like an arrow ſhot from a bow weakly bent, it reacheth not the mark. It is the wiſe mans counſel,Eccl. 9.10Eccl 9:10 Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all they might. O that Gods people ſhould be ſo lazie, dull, ſluggiſh, ſloathfull in this ſpiritual work! As Jeſus ſaid to the multitudes concerning John, Matt 11.7Matt 11:7What went ye out into the wilderneſs to ſee? So may I ask believers in their looking unto Jeſus, What went ye out to ſee? when you crawle, & move, as if you had no hearts nor ſpirits within you, whom go ye forth to ſee? what,Heb. 1 3.Heb 1:3 him that is the Lord of glory? what, him that is the brightneſs of his Fathers glory, and the expreſs image of his perſon? what, are ſuch heavy & lazy aſpects fit to take in ſuch a glory as this is? you ſee in what large ſtreams your thoughts fly forth to other things. & are you only languiſhing, weak, and feeble, in things of ſo great concernment? Oh that Chriſtians ſhould be cold in ſpirituals, & hot in the purſuit of earthly temporal things.

3. In not binding of their minds to this object, in not ſtaying the eye on Jeſus Chriſt. Some may give a glance at Chriſt, but they are preſently wheeled off again: but why doth not the eye abide there, at leaſt, till it come to ſome profitable iſſue? is not Chriſt worthy on whom our ſouls ſhould dwell? Certainly if we love our Jeſus, that love will hold us; Chriſt then will be in our thoughts, and minds, and we cannot off him: as the load-ſtone having drawn the iron, it keeps it faſt to it ſelf; ſo if love draw our hearts, it holds it faſt to the object loved. Chriſt himſelf acknowledgeth ſuch an operation of love upon himſelf, Turn away thine eyes, for they have overcome me; p. 13thou haſt raviſhed my heart, my ſiſter, my ſpouſe, with one of thine eyes: Cant. 6.5.Song 6:5Chriſt was held in the galleries, and captivated with love to his people, ſo that his eyes was ever upon them; nay he could not get his eyes off them, Can a mother forget her child? Iſa. 49.14.Isa 49:14no more can I forget you; and is Chriſt ſo tender in his love towards us, that he ever minds us, and ſhall our minds be ſo looſe to him? ſo fluttering, and fleeting? ſhall there be no more care to bind our ſelves in cords of love to him, who hath bound himſelf in ſuch cords of love to us?

4. In not dayly exerciſing this bleſſed Duty; it may be now and then they are awakened, and they get up into heaven to ſee their Jeſus, but it is not dayly. Oh conſider! Is this now and then going to heaven within the vail, to live the life of friends? is this to carry our ſelves as children? what, to be ſo ſtrange at home? but now and then, once in a month, in a year, there to be ſeldom, where we ſhould always be? is Jeſus Chriſt ſuch a mean thing, that a viſit now and then ſhould ſerve the turn? the Queen of Sheba hearing Solomons wiſdom, Oh ſaid ſhe,1 King 10.8.1 Kgs 10:8 Bleſſed are thoſe thy ſervants that always ſtand before thee, and hear thy wiſdom; if ſhe were ſo taken with Solomon, remember that a greater than Solomon is here; and ſhall we deprive our ſelves of that bleſſedneſs, which we might enjoy by ſtanding always in the preſence of Chriſt, to hear his Wiſdom, and to behold his Glory?

Oh my Brethren, let us take ſhame to our ſelves, that to this day we have been ſo careleſs in ſending, bending, binding our minds to this bleſſed object, Jeſus Chriſt; yea, let us bluſh that we have not made it our daily buſineſs.Pſal. 1.2.Ps 1:2 David deſcribes the bleſſed man by his delighting in the law of the Lord, and by his meditating on that Law day and night; how then is he to be reproved, that neither meditates on the Law of the Lord, nor on the Lord, the Law-maker, day and night? O alas! we keep not a conſtant courſe, we are not daily in the exerciſe of viewing Jeſus; nay, I fear, we look upon this Duty of looking unto Jeſus, as a queſtionable thing; it ſeems to many as a Duty unknown, unheard of, unthought of, it is not in their notice, and how ſhould it be in their practice? But I leave this firſt Uſe.

SECT. IV. Ʋſe of Exhortation.

IS inward, experimental Looking unto Jeſus a choice, and high Goſpel-ordinance? Ʋſe 2 One Uſe of Exhortation, I beſeech you by the meekneſs and gentleneſs of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10.1. Rom. 12.1. Rom. 15.302 Cor 10:1Rom 12:1Rom 15:30I beſeech you by the mercies of God, I beſeech you brethren, for the Lord Jeſus Chriſts ſake, and for the love of the Spirit, to look unto Jeſus: or if my beſeeching will not prevail, why yet look on me as an Embaſſador of Chriſt, conſider as though God did beſeech you by me, I beſeech, I pray you in Chriſts ſtead; it is a meſſage that I have from God to your ſouls, to look unto Jeſus; and therefore ſet your hearts, 2 Cor. 5.20 Deut. 32.462 Cor 5:20Deut 32:46to all the words that I teſtifie to you this day, for it is not a vain thing, but it is for your lives.

O that I ſhould need thus to perſwade your hearts to look unto Jeſus! What, is not your Jeſus worthy of this? why then are your thoughts no more upon him? why are not your hearts continually with him? why are not your ſtrongeſt deſires, and daily delights in, and after the Lord Jeſus? what's the matter? will not God give you leave to approach this light? will he not ſuffer your ſouls to taſt and ſee? why then are theſe words in the Text? why then doth he cry, and double his cry, behold me, behold me? Ah vile hearts! How delightfully, and unweariedly can we think of vanity? how freely, and how frequently can we think of our pleaſures; friends, labours, luſts? yea, of our miſeries, wrongs, ſufferings, fears? and what, is not Chriſt in all our thoughts? It was ſaid of the Jews, that they uſed to caſt to the ground the book of Eſther before they read it, becauſe the name of God is not in it; and Auguſtine caſt by Cicero's writings, becauſe they contained not the name of Jeſus; Chriſtians! thus ſhould you humble, and caſt down your ſenſual hearts, that have in them no more of Chriſt: O chide them for their wilfull or weak ſtrangeneſs to Jeſus Chriſt! O turn your thoughts from off all earthly vanities, and bend your ſouls to ſtudy Chriſt, habituate your ſelves to ſuch contemplations as in the next Uſe I ſhall preſent; and let not thoſe thoughts be ſeldom or curſory, but ſettle upon them; dwell there, bath your ſouls in thoſe delights, drench your affections in thoſe rivers of pleaſures, or rather in the ſea of conſolation; O tye your ſouls in heavenly galleries, have your eyes continually p. 14ſet on Chriſt! Say not, you are unable to do thus, this muſt be Gods work only, and therefore all our exhortations are in vain. ††Baxte's ReſtA learned Divine can tell you, though God be the chief diſpoſer of your hearts, yet next under him you have the greateſt command of them your ſelves: though without Chriſt you can do nothing, yet under him you may do much; or elſe it will be undone, and you undone through your neglect; do your own parts, and you have no cauſe to diſtruſt whether Chriſt will do his; it is not uſual with Chriſt to forſake his own people in that very work he ſets them on. — Oh but we can do nothing: how nothing? what, are you neither ſpiritual nor rational creatures? If a carnal Miniſter can make it his work to ſtudy about Chriſt through all his life time, and all becauſe it is the trade he lives by, and knows not how to ſubſiſt without it: why then me thinks a ſpiritual Chriſtian ſhould do much more; if a Cook can labour and ſweat about your meat, becauſe it is the trade that maintains him, though perhaps he taſte it not himſelf; Methinks, you for whom it is prepared, ſhould take the pains to taſt its ſweetneſs, and feed upon it. Chriſtians! if your ſouls were ſound and right, they would perceive incomparably more delight and ſweetneſs in knowing, thinking, believing, loving and rejoycing in Jeſus Chriſt, than the ſoundeſt ſtomack finds in his food, or the ſtrongeſt ſenſes in the enjoyment of their objects. Now for ſhame never ſay,Phil. 4.13.Phil 4:13 you cannot reach it. I can do all things (ſaith Paul) through Chriſt that ſtrengtheneth me. Oh it is our ſloath, our ſecurity, our carnal mind, which is enmity to God and Chriſt, that keeps us off. Be exhorted! Oh be exhorted in the fear of God!

SECT. V. Motives from our wants in caſe of neglect.

TO quicken us to this Duty, I ſhall propound ſome moving conſiderations; Ponder and weigh them with an impartial judgement; who knows but through the aſſiſtance of Chriſt they may prove effectual with your hearts, and make you to reſolve upon this excellent Duty of Looking unto Jeſus.

Conſider

1. Our wants, in caſe of our neglect.

2. Our riches, in caſe we are lively in this Duty.

1. For our wants; if Chriſt be not in view, there is nothing but wants.

Suppoſe firſt a Chriſtleſs ſoul, a poor creature without any beam or ray of this Sun of righteouſneſs, and what a ſad condition is he in? I may ſay of ſuch a one that—

1. He is without light: there is no oyl of ſaving knowledge, no ſtar of ſpiritual light ariſing in his ſoul; ye were once darkneſs, ſaith the Apoſtle to his Epheſians: not only dark,Epheſ. 3 8.Eph 3:8 but darkneſs it ſelf; they were wholly dark, univerſally dark, having no mixture, nor glimpſe (whileſt without Chriſt) of ſpiritual light in them. Of ſuch carnal wretches,John 16.3.John 16:3 ſaith our Saviour, they have not known the Father, nor me; they have not known the Father in his Word, nor Me in my Natures, Offices, Sufferings, Exaltations, Communications: very miſerable is the carnal mans Ignorance of God and Chriſt, he hath no ſaving knowledge of Jeſus.

1 Cor. 1.30.1 Cor 1:302. Such a one is without Grace, without Holineſs; Chriſt is our wiſdom and ſanctification, as well as righteouſneſs and redemption. Where Chriſt is not, there is no ſpiritual wiſdom, no inclination to the ways and works of ſanctification.

3. Such a one is without contentation; the ſoul in this caſe finds nothing but emptineſs and vanity, in the greateſt abundance. Let a man have what the world can give, yet if he have not Chriſt, he is nothing worth; Chriſt is the marrow and fatneſs, the fulneſs and ſweetneſs of all our endowments; ſeparate Chriſt from them, and they are bitter, and do not pleaſe us; empty, and do not fill us.

Iſa. 1.6.Isa 1:64. Such a one is without any ſpiritual beauty; there is nothing in him but ſores and ſwellings, and wounds and putrefaction; from the ſole of his foot, to the crown of his head, there is nothing in him but loathſom and incurable maladies; hence the greateſt ſinner is the fouleſt monſter; bodily beauty without Chriſt is but as green graſs upon a rotten grave; did man ſee his uncomlineſs and deformity without Jeſus Chriſt, he would ſtile himſelfe as the Prophet ſtiled Paſhur, Jer. 20.3.Jer 20:3Magor-Miſſabib, fear round about, every way a terrour to himſelf.

5. Such a one is without peace: there is no true, ſpiritual, heavenly peace, no joy p. 15and peace in the holy Ghoſt without Jeſus Chriſt. Joram asking Jehu, is it peace? 2 Kings 9.22.2 Kgs 9:22was anſwered, what haſt thou to do with peace, ſo long as the whordomes of thy mother Jezabel, and her witchcrafts are ſo many? a Chriſtleſs man asking, is it peace, O Meſſenger of God? he can look for no other but Jehu's anſwer, What haſt thou to do, O carnal man, with peace, ſo long as thy luſts are ſo ſtrong within thee, and thy eſtrangements from the Prince of peace, ſo great? the ſoul that is without Jeſus Chriſt, is an enemy to the God of peace, a ſtranger to the Covenant of peace, uncapable of the Word of peace, an Alien to the way of peace: there is no peace to the wicked, Iſa. 57.21.Isa 57:21ſaith my God.

6. Such a one is without acceptation, with God the Father: Chriſt onelyonly is Gods beloved, and therefore as Joſephs brethren might not look him in the face, unleſs they brought their brother Benjamin, ſo cannot we look God in the face with any confidence or acceptance, unleſs we bring Chriſt with us in the armes of our faith; without Chriſt man is ſtubble, and God is a conſuming fire to deſtroy him; man is a guilty malefactor, and God a ſevere Judge to condemn him; the whole of man without Jeſus Chriſt is a very abomination in Gods preſence.

7. Such a one is without life: he that hath not the Son, hath not life, ſaith John; 1 John 5.12. Epheſ. 2.1.1 John 5:12Eph 2:1Chriſt lives not in that ſoul, it is a dead ſoul, dead in ſins and treſpaſſes. As the dead ſee nothing of all that ſweet and glorious light which the Sun caſts forth upon them, ſo the dead in ſin have no comfortable apprehenſion of Chriſt, though he ſhine in the Goſpel more gloriouſly than the Sun at noon. And as the dead know not any thing; Eccleſ 9 5Eccl 9:5ſo the dead in ſin know nothing at all of the wiſdom of Chriſt guiding them, or of the holineſs of Chriſt ſanctifying them, or of the fulneſs of Chriſt ſatisfying them, or of the death of Chriſt mortifying their luſts, or of the reſurrection of Chriſt quickning their ſouls, or of the dominion of Chriſt reigning in their hearts. O what a miſery is this!

All this you may ſay is true to a Chriſtleſs ſoul; but what evil to him that may have a title to Chriſt, and yet minds not Chriſt, makes not uſe of Chriſt, doth not look unto Jeſus?

Such a caſe I confeſs may be; yea, as many Duties are neglected by ſome godly, ſo this main Duty is (I may tremble to think it) exceedingly neglected. But, O the ſin, and ſadneſs of thoſe ſouls! O the wants attending ſuch poor creatures! Conſider them in theſe particulars.

1. They have not that wiſdom, knowledge, diſcerning of Chriſt, as otherwiſe they might have. By looking, and ſerious obſerving of Chriſt, we gain more, and more knowledge of Chriſt; but if we will not look, how ſhould we underſtand thoſe great myſteries of grace? nor ſpeak I only of ſpeculative knowledge, but more eſpecially of practical and experimental; without looking on Chriſt, we cannot expect that vertue ſhould go out of Chriſt; there is but a poor character or cognizance of Chriſt upon them that are ſuch; they have not ſo clear, and comfortable, and inward, and experimental a knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt.

2. They do not ſo taſte the goodneſs of Chriſt, as otherwiſe they might; Chriſt is no other unto them, whilſt neglected by them, but as an eclipſed Star, with whoſe light they are not at all affected; Chriſt is not ſweet to them in his Ordinances, they find not in them that delight and refreſhment, that comfort and contentment, which they uſually miniſter: they cannot ſay of Chriſt as the Spouſe did, I ſate down under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit was ſweet to my taſte; Cant. 2.3.Song 2:3they are in the caſe of Barzillai, who could not taſte what he did eat, or what he did drink; nor could hear any more the voice of ſinging-men, or of ſinging-women: ſo they cannot taſte the things of God, nor hear the ſpiritual melody which Chriſt makes to the ſouls of them that look up to him.

3. They have not that love to Chriſt, which Chriſts beholders have; they meditate not upon Chriſt, as lovers on their love; they delight not themſelves in Chriſt, as the rich man in his treaſure, and the bride in the bridegroom, which they love; their thoughts are rather on the world than Chriſt; their palates are ſo diſtempered, that they have no pleaſure in the choyceſt wine, they cannot ſay that their ſouls long after him; and no wonder, for how ſhould they love Chriſt, who turn their eyes from him who is the faireſt of ten thouſands to other objects? Surely they have no flaming, burning love to Chriſt, that will give every baſe thing a kind of preheminence above Chriſt.

p. 614. They have not that ſenſe of Chriſts love, which thoſe that exerciſe this Duty have; whileſt the ſoul neglects Chriſt, it cannot poſſibly diſcern the love of Chriſt; it perceives not Chriſt applying the Doctrines of his love to the conſcience: Chriſt appears not in his banquetting houſe, he enables not the ſoul to pray with confidence, he makes it not joyful in the houſe of prayer. And hence it is, that ſuch ſouls move ſo ſlowly in Gods ſervice; they are juſt like Pharaohs charrets, without wheels; O they perceive not the Love of Chriſt, either in the clear revelation of his ſecrets, or in the free communication of his graces, or in the ſanctifying and ſweetning of their tryals, or in ſealing up the pardon of their ſins: O they feel not thoſe raviſhing comforts, which uſually Chriſt ſpeaks to the heart, when he ſpeaks from his heart in love. O the want! O the miſery of this want!

5. They have not that experience of the power of Chriſt, which they have that are in the exerciſe of this Duty. Would you know wherein lies the power of Chriſt? I anſwer, in caſting down the ſtrong holds of ſin, in overthrowing Satan, in humbling mens hearts, in ſanctifying their ſouls, in purifying their conſciences, in bringing their thoughts to the obedience of Chriſt, in making them able to endure afflictions, in cauſing them to grow and encreaſe in all Heavenly graces; and this power they partake of, who rightly and experimentally look up to Chriſt. But if this Duty be neglected, there is no ſuch thing; hence we call this, the Duty of Duties, the chief Duty, the eſpecial Duty; and for all other Duties, Means, Ordinances, if Chriſt be not in them, they are nothing worth; In every Duty this is the eſſential part, that we look through all, unto Jeſus; it is only from Chriſt, that Vertue and Efficacy is communicate in ſpiritual Ordinances; there were many people in a throng about Chriſt, but the infirm woman that touched him, was ſhe alone that felt efficacy come from him; we ſee many attend the Ordinances, frequent the Aſſemblies, but ſome few only find the inward power of Chriſt derived unto their ſouls. They that neglect, or are groſly ignorant of this great miſtery of looking unto Jeſus, are no beter then ſtrangers to the power of Chriſt.

6. They have not that ſenſe of the worth and excellency of Chriſt, that are unacquainted with this Duty; they are not ſo raviſhed with his Beauty, they are not ſo taken with the Sweetneſs and Pleaſantneſs of the Face of Chriſt; he is not the faireſt of ten thouſands in their eyes; and hence it is, that they do not take pleaſure, long after, delight or joy themſelves in Chriſt: indeed theſe affections are the Evidences of our high eſteem; they that rejoyce not in Chriſt, nor have any longings after Chriſt, they put a very unworthy price upon Chriſt.

7. They have not that ſenſe either of their own wants, or of the worlds vanity, who are not in the practice of this Duty. In this glaſs we ſee that man is blind, and no Sun but Chriſt can Enlighten him; that man is naked, and no garment but Chriſt's can cloath him; that man is poor, and no treaſure but Chriſt can make ſatisfaction for him; that man is empty, and none but Chrſt can fill him; that man is diſtreſſed, perplexed, tormented, and none but Chriſt can quiet him. Why? all this, and much more than this appears in this glaſs of Jeſus: the ſoul that looks here, cannot but comprehend an end of all other perfection; yea, the further it looks on the creature, the deeper and deeper vanities it diſcerns. But alas! there is no obſervation, no ſenſe, no feeling either of mans wants, or of the worlds vanity, or of any ſutable good in Chriſt, to them that are not in this Divine and Spiritual contemplation.

Thus far of their wants, that neglect this Duty of looking unto Jeſus.

SECT. VI. Motives from our riches, in caſe we are lively in this Duty.

2. FOr our riches, in caſe we are lively in this Duty: Oh the bleſſed incomes to ſuch ſouls! we may reckon up here thoſe very particulars which the others wanted. 1. That Chriſt gives Light unto them; as the receiving of the Sun gives light to the body, ſo the receiving of the Sun of Righteouſneſs gives light, a ſpiritual, heavenly, and comfortable light to their ſouls. 2. That Chriſt gives grace and holineſs unto them; of his fulneſs we receive grace for grace. As the print upon the wax anſwers to the ſeal, or as the characters upon the Son anſwers to the Father; ſo there are certain ſtamps of the grace of Chriſt upon the Saints, that what good they do, it ſprings not from external motives p. 17only, as in hypocrites, but from Chriſt working in them an inward principle of new nature; and upon this account doth John John 1.17John 1:17tell us, the Law was given by Moſes, but grace & truth came by Jeſus Chriſt. 3. That Chriſt gives contentation or ſatisfaction unto them: as the pearl ſatisfied the Merchant in the Parable with treaſure, ſo Chriſt ſatisfieth the ſoul with wiſdome in the underſtanding, with the ſenſe of his love in the heart, with ſure and bleſſed peace in the conſcience; they that rightly look unto Jeſus, may ſay as Jacob did,Luke 2.32Luke 2:32 I have enough. 4. That Chriſt gives glory unto them; he is the glory of Iſrael, he is both the Author, and the matter of their glory; he is the glory of their juſtification, as the garment is the glory of him that wears it; he is the glory of their redemption, as the ranſomer is the glory of the captive: he is the glory of their ſanctification, as Jordan cleanſing him from his leproſie was the glory of Naaman; he is their all in all, in whom they glory, and to whom they give all honour, and glory, and power, and praiſe. 5. That Chriſt gives peace unto them, God is in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, he is the Author,2 Cor. 5.29 Epheſ. 2.14. Acts. 10.362 Cor 5:29Eph 2:14Acts 10:36 and the world is the object of this reconciliation. Chriſt is our peace; and peace is preached by Jeſus Chriſt; they that hear Chriſt in the Word, or that look unto Chriſt by the eye of faith, they have this peace; for Chriſt only in Ordinances is the revealer, and procurer, and the worker of peace in all the children of peace. 6. That Chriſt procures acceptation with God for them; he ſtands betwixt God and ſuch believers; and as they mind him, ſo he is ever mindful of them, pleading their cauſe, anſwering all the accuſations of Satan, and praying to his Father in their behalf. 7. That Chriſt gives life unto them; he that hath the Son, hath life; 1 John 5.11.1 John 5:11he that hath Chriſt in his heart as a root of life living in him, or as a King ſetting up his throne within him, or as a Bridegroom betroathing himſelf in loving kindneſs to him, he hath life, the life of grace, and the earneſt of the life of glory. 8. That Chriſt gives wiſdome unto them, Chriſt hath in him all the treaſures of wiſdome, and therefore he that looks moſt to Chriſt is the wiſeſt man in the world; he that hath the Sun, hath more light than he that hath all other lights in the world, and wants the Sun. 9. That Chriſt gives a taſte of his goodneſs unto them; they cannot look unto him, but he makes them joyful with the feeling of himſelf and Spirit: and hence it is that many times they brake out into Pſalms, and Hymnes, and ſpiritual ſongs, Epheſ. 5.19Eph 5:19and make melody in their hearts unto the Lord. O there is a goodneſs of illumination, regeneration, ſanctification, conſolation, contentation, pacification, and ſpiritual freedome flowing from Chriſt to the ſouls of his Saints, which to carnal men is a ſealed Well, whoſe waters their palates never taſted. 10. That Chriſt gives a ſincere and inward love of himſelf unto their hearts. No ſooner is their eye of faith Looking unto Jeſus, but preſently their hearts is all on fire; ſuch a ſutableneſs is betwixt Chriſt and their ſouls, as is betwixt the hearts of lovers; their love to Chriſt is like the love of Jonathan to David, a wonderful love, and paſſing the love of women; 2 Sam. 1.262 Sam 1:26they love him as the bridegroom to whom their ſouls are married, as the choyceſt pearl by whom they are inriched, as the Sun of conſolation, by whoſe beams their ſouls are comforted, as the fountain by whom their hearts are refreſhed, and their deſires every way ſatisfied. 11. That Chriſt gives the ſenſe of his own love to them; they cannot look on Chriſt, but they ſee him loving, and embracing their humble ſouls; they ſee him binding up their broken hearts; they behold him gathering to himſelf, and bearing in the boſom of his love, and comforting with the promiſes of his Word their wounded ſpirits; they behold him like Jacob ſerving in the heat and in the cold for Rachel, ſerving in manifold afflictions from his cradle to his croſs, to make a Spouſe unto himſelf. 12. That Chriſt gives the experience of his power to them; they that look on Chriſt, do feel the power of Chriſt inwardly in their ſouls, diſſolving the works of Satan, caſting down his Kingdom, and mighty holds within them, healing all their ſpiritual maladies, ſuſtaining them in all afflictions, filling their ſouls with all Spiritual and Heavenly might, making them ſtrong in knowledg, and ſtrong in faith, and ſtrong in love, and ſtrong in motion, and coming to Chriſt, as a river of much waters is ſtrong in coming home to the Ocean. 13. That Chriſt gives the ſenſe of his own worth and excellency unto them, they ſee now in Chriſt is wiſdome ſurpaſſing the brightneſs of the Sun, even all the treaſures of wiſdome; in Chriſt is power excelling the ſtrength of rocks, he is not onelyonly ſtrong, but ſtrength it ſelf; in Chriſt is Honour tranſcending all the Kings of the earth, for he is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; in Chriſt is beauty excelling the Roſe of Sharon, and Lilly of the valleys, he is fairer than all the flowers of the field, than all the precious ſtones of the earth, than all the lights in the firmament, than all the Saints and Angels in the higheſt heavens. 14. That Chriſt gives the ſenſe of their wants, and of p. 18the worlds vanity, and of his ſutable goodneſs unto them, In looking unto Jeſus they ſee themſelves in themſelves miſerable, and all other things miſerable comforters: they have learnt the meaning of that Pſalm,Pſal. 146.3, 4.Ps 146:3Ps 146:4 Put not your truſt in Princes, nor in the ſon of man and in whom there is no help, his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts periſh; happy is the man that hath the God of Jacob for his God, whoſe hope is in the Lord his God. 15. That Chriſt gives all things, every thing unto them. All things are yours (ſaith the Apoſtle) whether Paul, 1 Cor. 3. 22, 23.1 Cor 3:221 Cor 3:23or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things preſent, or things to come, all are yours, and you are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods. All things are yours; Firſt, all the Miniſters of Chriſt from the higheſt to the loweſt, whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas; they are your ſervants, they are men that watch over you for your ſalvation. Secondly, the world is yours; indeed the world ſtands but for your ſakes, if your number were but once compleated, quickly would the world be ſet on fire: you will ſay, ay! but how is the world ours? we find not this, for who hath the world at will? why, though you have not, yet the miſery you find in the world, the want of wealth as well as the enjoying of it is yours, (i e.) it tends to your advantage. Thirdly, life is yours, it is a fitting, a preparing, a ſquaring of you for a better life, even for eternity. Fourthly, death is yours; for you ſhall die juſt then when it is beſt for you, death ſhall ſerve but as a ſervant to your advantage.1 Tim. 4.8.1 Tim 4:8 Fifthly, things preſent, and things to come, are yours; godlineſs hath the promiſe of this life, and of that which is to come. Sixthly, I will add, the Lord himſelf is yours, take God, and look on him in his greatneſs, in his mighty power, even this great God, the Lord of heaven and earth, is yours, he is yours, and all that he hath is yours, and all that he doth is yours, and all that he can do is yours, I will be thine (ſaith God to Abraham) I will be to thee an exceeding great reward. Gen. 15.1.Gen 15:1Here is a Catalogue, an Inventory of a Chriſtians riches; have Chriſt and have all; when an Heathen was but asked; where all his treaſure was, he anſwered, where Cyrus my friend is: and if any ask you, where all your treaſure is, you may anſwer, where Chriſt your friend is; in this reſpect you may truly ſay,Epheſ. 3.8.Eph 3:8 there is no end of your riches, they are called the unſearchable riches of Chriſt; Paul could find no bottom of theſe riches; O who would not look unto Jeſus? If Chriſt be yours (beſides thoſe particulars enumerated in this Text, (1 Cor. 3.22, 23.) God is yours, the Father is yours, the Son is yours, the Spirit is yours, all the promiſes are yours; for in Chriſt they are all made, and for him they ſhall be performed. Come, let the proud man boaſt in his honour, and the mighty man in his valour, and the rich man in his wealth; but let the Chriſtian pronounce himſelf happy, only happy, truly happy, fully happy, in beholding Chriſt, enjoying Chriſt, having Chriſt, in Looking unto Jeſus.

You have the Motives of our wants, in caſe of neglect: and of our riches in caſe we are active, frequent, ſerious, and lively in this Duty. But for our further encouragement to fall upon it, I ſhall add a few Motives more.

SECT. VII. More Motives to encourage us in this work.

1 COnſider your looking on Jeſus will maintain your communion with Jeſus; and is not this worth the while? Why Chriſtians! what is this communion with Chriſt, but very heaven aforehand? hereby we enjoy his perſon, and all ſweet relation to his perſon, his death, and all the ſaving fruits, priviledges, and influences of his death; hereby we are brought into Chriſts banquetting-houſe, Cant. 2.4.Song 2:4held in his galleries, his banner over us being love: hereby we are carried up into the Mount with Chriſt, that we may ſee him (as it were) transfigured, and may ſay with Peter, Maſter, it is good for us to be here, and let us here build Tabernacles. Oh it's an happy thing to have Chriſt dwell in our hearts, & for us to lodge in Chriſts boſome! Oh its an happy thing to maintain a reciprocal communication of affairs betwixt Chriſt and our ſouls! as thus; he bare our ſins, take we his healing: he endured wounds for us, drink we the ſpiritual balſom that ſprang out of his wounds; he took upon him our unrighteouſneſs, do we cloath our ſelves with his righteouſneſs: he endured pains for us, come we to him, and take his reſt to our ſouls; he embraced our curſe and condemnation, do we embrace his bleſſing, juſtification, and ſalvation. To this end do we look on Jeſus, if he hide his face by deſertions, reſt not till we find him; if we find him, hold him faſt, let him not go, diſturb him not out of our hearts by our corruptions. Thus if we would prize the preſence p. 19of Chriſt, how comfortably ſhould we maintain and encreaſe our Communion with Chriſt.

2. Conſider, that your daily neceſſities call for a frequent looking up unto Jeſus; you have need of Chriſt, you have need that he pray in you, and need that he pray for you to your heavenly Father; you have need that he work in you, and need that he work for you his own bleſſed will; you have need that he preſent you and yours blameleſs before his Fathers preſence in life, and death, and at the judgment day; there's not a moment in your life, wherein you ſtand not in continual need of Jeſus Chriſt; And can a hungry man forget his bread? can the heart that pants for thirſt forget the River? can a man in bonds forget freedom? can a child in diſtreſs forget a Father in honour and wealth? Oh then let your neceſſities drive you to Chriſt; and mind you of Chriſt; Is not he the fountain that ſupplies all wants? Chriſtians! conſult your own Experiences; when you look up to Jeſus, and lean on Jeſus, are you not beſt at reſt? O then why do you not always reſt and lean upon him? ſometime you ſay, his Bread is ſweet, and his Cup is pleaſant, how amiable is his Preſence? At ſuch a time you have never done wondering at him; O the ſweet impreſſion, that are even then on your ſpirits! why do you not then always look unto him? or at leaſt, why are you not frequent in his diſciples poſture, who looked ſtedfaſtly towards Heaven as Chriſt went up? Act. 1.10.Acts 1:10How richly might your idle hours, and ſpare time be laid out here, to the ſupply of all neceſſities, bodily, or ſpiritual?

3. Conſider, that an eye, an heart on Chriſt, is one of your moſt unqueſtionable Evidences of ſincerity. Where your Treaſure is, there will your hearts be alſo. Matth. 6.21.Matt 6:21If Chriſt be your Treaſure, your hearts will be on Chriſt; and ſurely an heart ſet upon God in Chriſt is a true evidence of ſaving Grace. External actions are eaſieſt diſcovered, but thoſe of the heart are ſureſt Evidences: when thy learning will be no good proof of thy Grace, when thy arguments from thy tongue and hand may be confuted, yet then will this Argument from the bent of thy heart prove thee ſincere. Take a poor Chriſtian that hath a weak judgment, a failing memory, a ſtammering tongue, yet if his heart be ſet on Chriſt, I had rather die in this mans condition, and have my ſoul in his ſouls caſe, than in the caſe of him without ſuch an heart, though he had the moſt eminent gifts, and parts, and abilities of any in the world. Chriſtians! as you would have a ſure teſtimony of the love of God, and a ſure proof of your title to glory, labour to get your hearts on Chriſt, O look on Jeſus. You may be ſure Chriſt will acknowledg that you really love him, when he ſees your hearts are ſet upon him.

4. Conſider, that your looking on Jeſus, will ſtrengthen patience under the Croſs of Chriſt. This is the very particular Motive of the Text,Heb. 11.1, 2, 3.Heb 11:1Heb 11:2Heb 11:3 Let us run with patience the Race that is ſet before us, looking unto Jeſus, the Author and finiſher of our Faith, who for the joy that was ſet before him endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame; and is ſet down at the right Hand of the Throne of God; for conſider him that endured ſuch contradiction of ſinners againſt himſelf, leſt ye be wearied and faint in your mind. It is ſtoried of a Martyr, that having offered him a Cup of ſpirits to ſuſtain him, when he ſeemed to faint under his greateſt Trial, he returned this anſwer, My Lord and Maſter had Gall and Vinegar given him to drink; as if he had been aſtoniſhed to ſee himſelf fare better than Jeſus Chriſt. How may it ſtrengthen your patience in ſufferings to think of Chriſts patience? What, are you ſerved ill? Ay, but Jeſus Chriſt was not ſerved ſo well; can you ſuffer ſo much as he hath done? I tell you nay. O then do you ſtay your murmurings and repinings, bear with patience the little you endure; and to this end, Conſider him that hath endured the contradictions of ſinners.

5. Conſider, that a through-ſight of Chriſt, will encreaſe your inward joy in Chriſt, Your father Abraham rejoyced to ſee my day, and he ſaw it, and was glad. Joh 8.56.John 8:56A right ſight of Chriſt, will make a right-ſighted Chriſtian glad at heart; I wonder not that you walk uncomfortably, if you never tried this Art of Chriſt-contemplation; can you have comfort from Chriſt, and never think of Chriſt? doth any thing in the world glad you, when you do not remember it? If you were poſſeſſed of all the Treaſure in the Earth, if you had title to the higheſt Dignities, and never thought of them, ſure they would never rejoyce you. Come look up unto Jeſus, fix your eyes, thoughts, and hearts on that bleſſed objects, and then you may expect Davids experience,Pſa 63.5.Ps 63:5 my mouth ſhall praiſe thee with joyful lips, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate of thee in the night watches. A frequent acceſs to Chriſt in a way of meditation cannot but warm the ſoul in ſpiritual comforts. When the Sun in the ſpring draws near our part of the earth, how do all p. 20things congratulate its approach? the earth looks green, the trees ſhoot forth, the plants revive, the birds ſing ſweetly, the face of all things ſmiles upon us, and all the creatures below rejoyce: Chriſtians! if you would but draw near, and look on this Son of Righteouſneſs, Jeſus Chriſt, what a ſpring of joy would be within you? how would your Graces be freſh and green? how would you forget your winter ſorrows? how early would you riſe (as thoſe Birds in the ſpring) to ſing the Praiſe of our great Creatour, and dear Redeemer.

6. Conſider that your Eye on Jeſus will preſerve the vigour of all your Graces. As the body is apt to be changed into the temper of the air it breaths in, and the food it lives on, ſo will your ſpirits receive an alteration according to the Objects which they are exerciſed about. You that complain of deadneſs and dulneſs, that you cannot love Chriſt, nor rejoyce in his loves, that you have no life in Prayer, nor any other Duty, and yet you never tried this quickning courſe, or at leaſt you were careleſs and unconſtant in it; what, are not you the cauſe of your own complaints? ſay, is not your life hid with Chriſt in God? O whether muſt you go but to Chriſt for it? If you would have light and heat, why then are you not more in the Sun-ſhine? if you would have more of that grace which flowes from Chriſt, why are you no more with Chriſt for it? for want of this recourſe to Jeſus Chriſt, your Souls are as candles that are not lighted, and your duties are as Sacrifices which have no fire; fetch one coal daily from this Altar, and ſee if your Offerings will not burn; keep cloſe to this reviving Fire, and ſee if your affections will not warm. Surely if there be any comfort of hope, if any flames of love, if any life of faith, if any vigor of diſpoſitions, if any motions towards God, if any meltings of a ſoftned Heart, they flow from hence; men are apt to bewail their want of deſire, and hope, and joy, and faith, and love to Jeſus Chriſt, whileſt this very duty would nouriſh all theſe.

7. Conſider, it's but equal that your hearts ſhould be on Chriſt, when the heart of Chriſt is ſo much on you. Chriſt is our Friend, and in that reſpect he loves us, and bears us in his heart; and ſhall not he be ours? Surely this is ill requital; this is a great contradiction to the law of Friendſhip: But Chriſt is our Lord as well as Friend; and if the Lord of glory can ſtoop ſo low as to ſet his heart on ſinful duſt, one would think we ſhould eaſily be perſwaded to ſet our hearts on Jeſus Chriſt. Chriſtians! do you not perceive that the heart of Chriſt is ſet upon you! and that he is ſtill minding you with tender love, even when you forget both your ſelves and him? Do you not find him following you with daily mercies, moving on your ſouls, providing for your bodies, and preſerving both! doth he not bear you continually in the armes of love, and promiſe that all ſhall work together for your good? doth he not give his Angels charge over you, and ſuit all his dealings to your greateſt advantage? and can you find in your hearts to caſt him by? can you forget your Lord, who forgets not you? Fie upon this unkind Ingratitude! When the Lord ſpeaks of his thoughts and reſpects to us, he gives this language, Can a woman forget her ſucking-child, Iſa. 49.15, 16.Isa 49:15Isa 49:16that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the Son of her Womb? yea, they may forget, yet will not I forget. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me. But when he ſpeaks of our thoughts to him, the caſe is otherwiſe:Jer. 2 32.Jer 2:32 can a Maid forget her Ornaments, or a Bride her Attire? yet my People have forgotten me days without number, q. d. you would not forget the cloaths on your backs, you would not forget your braveries, your Ornaments, your Attires, and are theſe of more worth than Chriſt? yet you can forget me day after day.

8. Conſider, it's a command of Chriſt, that we ſhould look to Jeſus. Behold me, behold me; lo I, lo I; A command not only backt with Authority, but accompanied with ſpecial Ordinances appointed to this end: what is Baptiſm? and what is the Lords Supper,1 Cor. 11.24 25.1 Cor 11:24 but the repreſentation of Jeſus Chriſt? Is it not Chriſts command in his laſt Supper, Do this in remembrance of me? and this do ye as oft as ye drink in remembrance of me? In this Ordinance we have Chriſt crucified before our Eyes, and can we forget him? Or, can we hold our eyes off him? can we ſee the Bread broken, & the Wine diſtinctly ſevered from the bread, and not call to mind (according to the Scripture) Chriſts Agony in the Garden, and on the Croſs? can we take, and eat the bread? and take, and drink the cup, and not apprehend Chriſt ſtooping down from Heaven to feed our ſouls? At ſuch a time if we forget the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, it will argue our diſaffection, our ingratitude, our diſobedience every way.

Pſa 73.28 Pſal 104.34.Ps 73:28Ps 104:349. Conſider, it's both work and wages to look up unto Jeſus. Hence David profeſſed, it is good for me to draw near to thee, and my meditation of him ſhall be ſweet: the word p. 21imports a ſweetneſs with mixture, like compound ſpices, or many flowers. Every thought of Jeſus is ſweet and pleaſant, nay, it's better than wine,Cant. 1.4.Song 1:4 we will remember thy love more than Wine; there is more content in contemplating on Chriſt, more refreſhing to the ſpirit, than wine gives to the body, How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God? Pſa. 139.17.Ps 139:17look in what kind ſoever you account a thing precious, ſo precious are the thoughts of God and Chriſt to a man, whoſe heart is in a right frame. Such a one loves every glance of Chriſt, and the more it ſees, the more it loves; It is ſaid of one Eudoxius, that he wiſhed he might be admitted to come near the body of the Sun, to have a full view of it, though it devoured him; he was ſomthing raſh in his wiſh: but there is ſomthing proportionable in a godly ſpirit, he ſo loves Chriſt, that he could be content to be ſwallowed up in the beholding of him. Certainly there is a bleſſing in this work; when we are bid to look unto Jeſus, it is but to receive from Jeſus: is it any thing elſe but to call and invite us to look on the moſt pleaſing and delightful object? That in the beholding of it, it may convey it ſelf unto us, and we be delighted and filled with it? it is all one as if he ſhould bid us ſit down by a well of Life, and drink; or if he ſhould bid us be as the Angels are, who are bleſſed in the beholding of this Jeſus; why come then, if this be a bleſſed work, why will we unbleſs our ſelves? If the work will exalt us, why will we debaſe our ſelves, in not cloſing with it? If we might live above heaven, why will we live below? certainly when thoughts of Chriſt are moving in us, Chriſt himſelf is not far off, he will come, and enter too; and how ſweet is it for Chriſt to come and take up his habitation in our ſouls.

10. Conſider how the Angels exceedingly deſire to look on Jeſus: they ſtoop down, and pry into the Nature, Offices, and graces of Jeſus Chriſt: which things (ſaith the Apoſtle) the Angels deſire to look into. He alludes to the manner of the Cherubims looking down into the Mercy-Seat; this is the ſtudy,1 Pet. 1.12.1 Pet 1:12 yea this is the delight and recreation of the Elect Angels to look on Jeſus, and to look into the ſeveral ſcopes of our ſalvation by Jeſus Chriſt, to behold the whole frame, and fabrick of it, to obſerve all the parts of it from the beginning to the end, to conſider all the glorious Attributes of God, his Wiſdome, Power, Juſtice, Mercy, all ſhining and glittering in it like bright Stars in the Firmament; this I ſay is their work, yea, this is their Feſtivity and Paſtime. And ſhall not we imitate the Angels? ſhall not we think it our honour to be admitted to the ſame priviledge with the Angels.

11. Conſider that looking unto Jeſus is the work of Heaven;V…ta contemplativa incipit in hoc ſeculo, proficitur in futu…o. Bern. it is begun in this life (ſaith Bernard) but it is perfected in that life to come; not only Angels, but the Saints in glory do ever behold the face of God and Chriſt; if then we like not this work, how will we live in Heaven? the diſlike of this Duty is a bar againſt our entrance; for the life of a bleſſedneſs is a life of Viſion; ſurely if we take no delight in this, heaven is no place for us.

12. Conſider that nothing elſe is in compariſon worth the minding or looking after. If Chriſt have not your hearts, who? or what ſhould have them? O that any Chriſtian ſhould rather delight to have his heart among Thornes and Briers, than in the Boſom of his deareſt Jeſus! Why ſhould you follow after drops, and neglect the Fountain? why ſhould you fly after ſhadowes, and neglect him who is the true ſubſtance? if the mind have its currant from Chriſt toward other things, theſe things are not only of leſs concernment, but deſtructive: they are gone far from me, and have walked after Vanity, Jer. 2.5.Jer 2:5and are become vain. How unworthy the world is of the look of Chriſtians, eſpecially when it ſtands in competition with Jeſus, we have diſcuſſed before.

Many other Motives might be given, but let this ſuffice. I have done with the exhortation; In the next place I ſhall lay open to you the particular way of this Duty, which all this while I have been perſwading to.

SECT. VIII. Ʋſe of Direction. Ʋſe 3

IS inward, experimental looking unto Jeſus a choice, or an high Goſpel Ordinance? why then ſome directions how we are to perform this Duty. Practice is the end of all ſound doctrin, and duty is the end of all right faith; now that you may do what you have heard in ſome good meaſure, I ſhall preſcribe the directions in the next part preſcribed.

p. 22But firſt in the work obſerve thoſe two parts of the Text, the act, and object; the act is looking unto; and the Object is Jeſus. 1. By looking unto, we mean (as you have heard) an inward experimental knowing, deſiring, hoping, believing, loving, calling on Jeſus, and conforming to Jeſus: it is not a bare ſwiming knowledge of Chriſt, it is not a bare thinking of Chriſt; as Chriſt hath various excellencies in himſelf, ſo hath he formed the ſoul with a power of diverſe wayes apprehending, that ſo we might be capable of enjoying thoſe divers excellencies that are in Chriſt; even as the creatures having their ſeveral uſes, God hath accordingly given us ſeveral ſenſes, that ſo we might enjoy the delights of them all: what the better had we been for pleaſant odoriferous Flowers, or ſweet perfumes, if we had not poſſeſt the ſenſe of ſmelling? or what good would language, or muſick have done us, if God had not given us the ſenſe of hearing? or, what delight ſhould we have found in meats, or drinks, or ſweeteſt things, if we had been deprived of the ſenſe of taſting? ſo what pleaſure ſhould we have had even in the goodneſs and perfection of God and Chriſt, if we had been without the faculty and power of knowing, deſiring, hoping, believing, loving, joying, and enjoying? as the ſenſes are to the body, ſo are theſe ſpiritual ſenſes, powers, affections to the ſoul the very way by which we muſt receive ſweetneſs and ſtrength from the Lord Jeſus.

2. By Jeſus, who is the Object of this Act, we mean a Saviour, carrying on the great work of mans ſalvation from firſt to laſt; hence we ſhall follow this method, to look on this Jeſus, as our Jeſus in theſe ſeveral periods. 1. In that Eternity before all time until the Creation. 2. In the Creation the beginning of time until his coming. 3. In his firſt coming, the fulneſs of time until his coming again. 4. In his coming again the very end of time to all Eternity. In every of theſe Periods, Oh what a bleſſed Object is before us! Oh what wonders of love have we to look upon! Before I direct you how to look on him in theſe reſpects, I muſt in the firſt place propound the Object: ſtill we muſt lay the colours of this admirable beauty before your eyes, and then tell you the art how you are to look upon them.

You may object, the Apoſtle in this Text refers this look only to the paſſion and ſeſſion of Chriſt.Bp. Arde. But a worthy Interpreter tells you out of theſe words, That Chriſt our bleſſed Saviour is to be looked on at all times, and in all acts; though indeed, then, & in thoſe Acts more eſpecially. Beſides, we are to look unto Jeſus, as the Author and finiſher of our Faith; and why as the Author and finiſher of our Faith, but to hint out to us that we are to ſtand ſtill, and to behold, as with a ſtedfaſt eye, what he is from firſt to laſt? You have called us hither (ſay they in Canticles) to ſee your Shulamite, What ſhall we ſ…e in him? What ſaith the Spouſe, but as the company of two Armies? that is, many legions of good ſights; an Ocean of bottomleſs depths of manifold high perfections. Or if theſe words be underſtood of the Spouſe and not of Chriſt, yet how many words do we find in Canticles expreſſing in him many goodly ſights? Myrrhe, Aloes, & Cinamon, all the Trees of Frankincenſe, all the Powders of the Merchants are in him; he is altogether lovely: he is all every whit of him deſirable, he is not one ſingle Star, but a conſtellation; there is in him a confluence, a bundle, an army of glorious ſights, all in one cluſter, meeting and growing upon one ſtalk. There's many glorious ſights in Jeſus, I I ſhall not therefore limit my ſelf to thoſe two eſpecial ones, but take all thoſe before me I have now propounded.

And now, if ever, ſtir up your hearts. Say to all worldly buſineſs and thoughts, as Chriſt to the Diſciples,Matth 2….36.Matt 2:36 Sit you here while I go & pray yonder. Or as Abraham when he went to ſacrifice Iſaac, left his Servants and Aſſe below the Mount, ſaying, Stay you here, and I and the Lad will go yonder, and Worſhip, and come again to you; ſo ſay to all worldly thoughts, Abide you below, while I go up to Chriſt, and then I will return to you again. Chriſtians! your ſelves may be welcom, but ſuch followers may not.

p. 23LOOKING UNTO JESUS. The Second Book.

Revel. 1.8, 11.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, ſaith the Lord; which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. — I am Alpha and Omega, the firſt and the laſt; and what thou ſeeſt, write in a book, and ſend it to the ſeven Churches.