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

4. It is an impelling, or a moving cause, as all objects are; for objects have an attractive power. Achan saw the wedge of Gold, and then coveted it: David saw Bathsheba, and then desired her. As the brazen Serpent did heal those who were bitten by the fiery Serpent, tanquam objectum fidei, meerly by being looked upon, so Christ crucified doth heal sin, beget grace, encourage to sufferings by being looked upon with the eyes of Faith.¹ Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking u•to Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith. The Apostle was to encourage the Hebrews to hold on the well-begun profession of Faith in Christ; and to that purpose he sets before them two fights to keep them from fainting, 1. A cloud of witnesses, the Saints in heaven; on which cloud when he had staid their eyes a while, and made them fit for a clearer Object, he scatters the cloud, and presents the Sun of Righteousness, Christ himself, and he wills them [Greek or Hebrew], to turn their eyes from it, to him, looking unto Jesus, q. d. this sight is enough to make you run the race, and not to faint; why, Jesus is gone before you, and will you not follow him? O look unto Jesus, and the very sight of him will draw you after him: Christ crucified hath an attractive power; And I, if I be lifted up, ²will draw all men to me.—Thus of the causes of our conformity; we see how it is wrought.

4. It is an impelling, or a moving cause, as all objects are; for objects have an attractive power. Achan saw the wedge of Gold, and then coveted it: David saw Bathsheba, and then desired her. As the brazen Serpent did heal those who were bitten by the fiery Serpent, tanquam objectum fidei, meerly by being looked upon, so Christ crucified doth heal sin, beget grace, encourage to sufferings by being looked upon with the eyes of Faith.¹ Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking uto Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith. The Apostle was to encourage the Hebrews to hold on the well-begun profession of Faith in Christ; and to that purpose he sets before them two fights to keep them from fainting, 1. A cloud of witnesses, the Saints in heaven; on which cloud when he had staid their eyes a while, and made them fit for a clearer Object, he scatters the cloud, and presents the Sun of Righteousness, Christ himself, and he wills them , to turn their eyes from it, to him, looking unto Jesus, q. d. this sight is enough to make you run the race, and not to faint; why, Jesus is gone before you, and will you not follow him? O look unto Jesus, and the very sight of him will draw you after him: Christ crucified hath an attractive power; And I, if I be lifted up,