Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

6. If notwithstanding all this, we feel not for the present this conformity in us, at least in such a degree; let us act over the same particulars again and again; the gifts of grace are therefore communicated by degrees, that we might be taken off from living upon a received stock of grace; and that we might still be running to the spring, and drink in there; why alas, we have a continual need of Christ's letting out himself, and grace into our hearts, and therefore we must wait at the well-head, Christ; we must look on Christ as appointed on purpose by his Father to be the Beginner and Finisher of our holiness; and we must believe that he will never leave that work imperfect, whereunto he is ordained of the Father. We may be confident (saith the Apostle) of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in us, will perform it, or finish it, until the day of Jesus Christ, Phil. 1.6. Oh then be not weary of this work until he accomplish the desires of thy soul.

I have now done with this subject: only before I finish, one word more. Sometimes I have observed that many precious souls, in their endeavours after grace, holiness, sanctification, have been frequent in the use of such and such means, duties, ordinances; wherein I cannot say, but they have done well; and for their help I therefore composed that piece called Media; but of all the ordinances of Christ, this Looking unto Jesus is made least use of, though it be chief of all: It is Christ (when all is done) that is that great Ordinance appointed by God for grace and holiness; and certainly those souls which trade immediately with Jesus Christ, will gain more in a day, than others in a month, in a year. I deny not other helps, but amongst them all, if I would make choice which to fall upon, that I may become more and more holy, I would set before me this glass, (i.e.) Christ's holy life, the great exemplar of holiness; we were at first created after his Image in holiness, and this Image we lost through our sin, and to this Image we should endeavour to be restored by imitation; And how should this be done, but by looking on Christ as our pattern? by running through the several Ages of Christ, and by observing all his graces, and gracious actings? in this respect I charge thee, O my soul (for to what purpose should I charge others, if I begin not at home, and with thee?) that thou make conscience of this practical Evangelical duty; O be much in the exercise of it! not only in the day intend Christ, but when night comes, and thou lyest down on thy bed, let thy pillow be as Christ's bosom, in which John the beloved Disciple was said to lean; there lean thou with John; yea, lye thou between his breast; and Let them lye all night betwixt thy breasts; thus mayest thou lye down in peace and sleep,