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

SECT. II. Of considering Jesus in that respect.

2. Let us consider Jesus, carrying on this great work of our salvation during his sufferings and death.¹ They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, saith the Prophet; (i.e.) they shall consider me: and accordingly is the Apostle, looking unto Jesus, or considering of Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy of our salvation set before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame. Then indeed, and in that act is the duty brought in, it is good in all respects, and under all considerations to look unto Jesus from first to last, but above all, this Text relates firstly to the time of his sufferings; and hence it is that Luke calls Christ's passion [Greek or Hebrew], a theory or sight; And all the people that came together to that sight, ²—smote their breasts and returned. Not but that every passage of Christ is a theory or sight, worthy our looking on, or considering of; Christ in his Fathers purpose, and Christ in the promise, and Christ in ⟨p. 379⟩performance, Christ in his birth, and Christ in his life, O how sweet? what blessed objects are these to look upon? but above all consider him (saith the Apostle) that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself. ³—Consider him who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, and despised the shame; of all other parts, acts, or passages of Christ, the holy Ghost hath only honoured Christ's passion (his sufferings and his death) with this name of theory, and sight. Why surely this is the theory ever most commended to our view, and consideration; O then let us look on this, consider of this. As in this manner.—

2. LEt us consider Jesus, carrying on this great work of our salvation during his sufferings and death.