Looking at Jesus

That we may be changed into the likeness of Christ, let us fix our meditations upon him, and we will find a change, though we do not know how it happens. As those who are in the sun for work or play find themselves lightened and warmed, so let us set ourselves about holy meditations, and we will find a secret, imperceptible change; our souls will be altered, we do not know how. There is a virtue that goes with holy meditation, a changing, transforming virtue. Indeed, we can think of nothing in Christ without having it change us to the likeness of itself, because we have all from Christ.
Can we think of his humility and not be humble? Can we think, ‘Was God humble, and will base worms be proud? Will I be fierce when my Saviour was meek?' Can a proud, fierce heart apprehend a sweet, meek Saviour? No. The heart must be suited to the thing apprehended. It is impossible that a heart that is not meek, and sweetened, and brought low, should apprehend a loving and humble Saviour. There must be a suitability between the heart and Christ. As he was born of a humble virgin, so he is born and conceived in a humble heart. Christ is conceived and born and lives and grows in every Christian, and a humble and lowly heart made like him by his Spirit, that is the womb. The heart that is suitable is the heart that he is formed in.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Glorious Freedom, pp. 120-21 [131-32]
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