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

4. Consider, that your looking on Jesus, will strengthen patience under the Cross of Christ. This is the very particular Motive of the Text,¹ 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.

1. 1Heb. 11.1, 2, 3.

5. Consider, that a through-sight of Christ, will increase your inward joy in Christ, Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad. ¹A 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 rejoice you. Come look up unto Jesus, fix your eyes, thoughts, and hearts on that blessed objects, and then you may expect Davids experience,