Looking Unto Jesus, Book 7 · Chapter 2 · Section 1
SECT. I. Of knowing Jeſus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Reſurrection.
THAT in all reſpects we may look on Jeſus.
1. Let us know Jeſus carrying on the great work of our ſalvation for us in his reſurrection; and during the time of his abode upon earth after his Reſurrection. This is worth the knowing; on it depends our juſtification, ſanctification, ſalvation; For if Chriſt be not riſen, we are yet in our ſins, and our faith is in vain, and our hope is in vain; little hope have we either of Heaven, or of Reſurrection, if Chriſt be not riſen; of all men we are moſt miſerable that believe in Chriſt, if he whom we believe in be not riſen again. O my ſoul ſtudy this point; many take it up in groſs, they can run over this Article of their Creed, The third day he roſe again from the dead; but for a particular underſtanding of it, in reſpect of the time, or the end, or the manner, or the certainty, how many are to ſeek? I ſhall appeal to thy ſelf, are not many diſcoveries already made which before thou never tookeſt notice of? and if thou wouldſt but ſtudy this point, how much more might yet appear? eſpecially, how much more might yet appear as to thine own good? it is not enough to know Chriſt's reſurrection, unleſs thou know it for thy ſelf. Be ſure thou haſt this in mind, That Chriſt roſe again, but what's that to me? ſaving knowledge is ever joyned with a particular application; if Chriſt be my Head, then he could not riſe, but I roſe with him, and in him: and thus O my ſoul, look on Chriſt; and thus ſearch into every particular of Chriſt's reſurrection; come, ſtudy when he roſe; ſtudy the Arguments that make out Chriſt's reſurrection ſure and certain; ſtudy all the Apparitions of Jeſus Chriſt; O what delightful ſtudies are theſe? hadſt thou been with them to whom Chriſt appeared, would not thy heart have leaped with joy? come, ſtudy it cloſe, for the benefit of theſe Apparitions extend to thee; the fruit of Chriſt's reſurrection is thine,Job 5.27. even thine, as well as theirs; Know this for thy ſelf.