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

1. We must desire after the manifestation of this work in us. We have heard of marvellous, excellent, glorious things done by Jesus Christ for his Saints from all Eternity; & oh what desires now should be in us to know that we are of that number? when I hear and consider that there was such a project, and such counsels, and such love, and such a purpose, and such decrees, and such a Covenant betwixt God and Christ for salvation of souls; and withal, that they are but few in comparison concerning whom God and Christ hath all this care, will not this whet on my desires? and make me cry, and cry again, Oh that these loves were mine! how happy were I, if I had a share in these eternal thoughts of God? Methinks we should not hear of such transactions, but it should stir up our hearts in infinite desires; methinks we should pant after assurance, and still be wishing, Oh what is truth? and what is Christ? and what did Christ for me before I was, or before the World was? I would I knew him, I would I could enjoy him, I would I were assured that he had one good thought of me in that Eternity! Christians! if you have any share in those transactions, sooner or later you will feel these desires? nay, if my sinful ⟨p. 46⟩heart deceive me not, upon the very consideration of these things I feel my self another creature in my desires then I was before. Tell me, you that have took a full view of God & Christ, and of all these wonders of Eternity: do you not sensibly differ from your selves in your affections? Is not the world, worldly pleasures, worldly profits, and worldly honours fallen too; yea, ten in an hundred with you? have they not lost their price? would you not rather be assured that your names are written in the Book of Life, then to have all the world yours; yea, and all the Devils in Hell subject to your commands? Certainly, if these revelations work nothing in your hearts, if your affections be so strong and hearty to the world, and the vanities of it; if your desires be so impure, and strongly working downwards, that Gods ancient loves, and everlasting workings, have no power on your hearts, it is a very sad condition. If David may have his wish, it runs thus, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us; he would have the manifestation of Gods Eternal love;¹

1. 1