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

3. Muse on his Apparition to all the Apostles, when they were all convened, and Thomas with them. This Apparition was occasioned by Thomas's incredulity; except (said he) I see in his hands the print of the nails, ¹and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Now therefore saith Jesus to Thomas, ²Come, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing. Methinks I see Thomas's finger on Christ's bored hand, and Thomas's hand in Christ's pierced side. Here's a strong Argument to convince my soul that Christ is risen from the dead; why, see; this is the same Christ that was crucified; the same Christ that had his hands bored with nails, and that had his heart pierced with a spear; though the wounds are healed as to sense of pain, yet the scars, and holes, and clefts remain as big as ever: the hole in his hand is yet so large, that Thomas may put his finger not only on it, but into it; and the cleft in his side is yet so large, that Thomas may thrust his whole hand into his side, and with his fingers touch that heart that issued out streams of blood for my salvation. In this meditation be not too curious, whether the print of the nails were but continued till Christ had confirmed his Disciples faith; or whether he retains them still for some further use? it is a better consideration to look upon them so as to confirm thy own faith; is there not too much of Thomas's incredulity in thy breast? dost not thou sometimes feel some doubtings of Christ's rising? or at least dost thou not question whether Christ's resurrection belongs unto thee? is not Satan busy with a temptation? is not thy conscience troubled for thy sins; and especially for thy sin of unbelief? if so, (and I know not but it may be so with thee, and the best of Saints) Come then, and reach hither thy finger, and behold Christ's hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into his side; my meaning is, come with the hand of faith, and lay hold on Christ, yea hide thy self in the holes of the rock; Be like the Dove that maketh her nest in the side of the holes mouth; ³the Dove that would be safe from the devouring Birds, or from the Fowlers snare, she flies to the hole in a rock;