Looking Unto Jesus

by Isaac Ambrose

This book was written after a serious illness which led the author to meditate deeply on what the Lord Jesus had done for him. He considers in detail different facets of the person and work of Christ. The work is divided into five sections. Book I is an introduction to the subject, in which the author urges the reader to focus on Jesus exclusively. Book II considers the eternal generation of the Son and “the great treaty in eternity [between] God and Christ to save souls.” Book III considers Christ as promised throughout the Old Testament in “covenants of promise” manifested to Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, and Israel. Book IV contains six parts that address Christ’s conception, the years of His ministry, His suffering on the cross, His resurrection, His ascension, and His intercession. Finally, Book V examines Christ’s second coming, Judgment Day, and His relationship with the redeemed for all eternity.

Looking unto Jesus has been compared to the writings of John Bunyan due to its impact on many Christians in their walk with God. The author follows every major doctrinal section with practical application aimed at the heart. On the subject of temptation he writes, “Christ was tempted that he might succor them that are tempted: never art thou tempted, O my soul, but Christ is with thee in the temptation: he hath sent his Spirit into thy heart to make intercession for thee there; and he himself is in heaven, making intercession and praying for thee there.”

Isaac Ambrose was born in England in the year 1604. He was a Puritan nonconformist during a turbulent time of English history and suffered ejection from the pulpit as a result of the Act of Uniformity of 1662. Despite the political and social upheaval surrounding him, it has been remarked that his writings are surprisingly free of controversy, focusing mainly on experiential Christianity. After the Act of Uniformity, he lived among friends until his death in 1664.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Faith

694 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Isaac Ambrose (1591 – 20 January 1664) was an English Puritan divine. He graduated with a BA. from Brasenose College, Oxford, on 1624. He obtained the cure of St Edmund’s Church, Castleton, Derbyshire in 1627. He was one of king's four preachers in Lancashire in 1631. He was twice imprisoned by commissioners of array. He worked for establishment of Presbyterianism; successively at Leeds, Preston, and Garstang, whence he was ejected for nonconformity in 1662. He also published religious works.

Reviews

[Peter Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I love about the Puritans. They are so Christ centered and so full of Scripture in their writing.

[Matt Boezinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this book as a kind of devotional for the past 8 months, and I have to say this is probably the most impactful book I’ve ever read. Why? Ambrose’s opening line gives the reason: “The most excellent subject to discourse or write of is Jesus Christ”.

As you read, you will be convicted of how much time you’ve wasted on considering things of infinitely less value than Christ. You’ll learn to see, as Ambrose writes, that Jesus “is the blessedest object that the eye of the mind can possibly fix upon. Of all objects under heaven, Jesus hath the preeminence in perfection, and he should have the preeminence in our meditation”.

You will find your affections stirred as Ambrose guides you to know, consider, desire, hope in, believe in, love, call upon, and conform to Jesus in all of what’s contained in the scriptures.

All of this could be attained by simply studying the Bible, but Looking Unto Jesus helps point us back to the Scriptures and challenge us to draw out the excellency of Christ in a way that I believe is foreign to most Christians. This old book has been a wonderful gift to me and I hope it will be the same for many other who desire to know Jesus ever-more deeply!

[Jamie’s Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel blessed for having read this deep study on the life and the unspeakable love of Christ. Isaac Ambrose (1604-1664), a Puritan Divine, graduated from Oxford and wrote several major Christian works, of which this is the best known and most beloved. The topics include Looking Unto Jesus in life, death, resurrection, intercession, and second coming. The ease of reading I would give a 4 out of 5. It was published in 1829 and it is written in old English. However it was very easy to understand. Spiritually challenging, yet uplifting and encouraging. Marvelous!

[Zach Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book would have benefitted from being significantly shorter. Ambrose frequently repeats himself or gets caught up in pages of controversy where he spells out different views on a particular subject. That being said, this book is overwhelming. There are plenty of striking statements which stop the heart. But even more frequent are the long, raging passages where Ambrose simply soars as he heralds the everlasting gospel of Christ. Ambrose’s message is full of glory, and it dominates the reader.

[Emma Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

How have the godly fallen

This book is a refreshing spring to a parched soul. I have experienced profound eternal love through all that Christ Jesus has done and is continually doing for us His saints.
Let us look unto Jesus for He alone is all our hope and salvation. Minister of the Lord God I charge you preach Jesus Christ
Stop watering him down. Church of Jesus Christ look unto Jesus as Lord and savior .

[Tamara Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend

This book, Looking Unto Jesus, fed my soul and caused me to reflect on the depth of the love of Jesus. The beginning is a little dry as the author begins with the comparison of the law and Christ but as I continued to read the true riches and gems began to shine. I will keep this book in my library and reread the highlighted areas as needed for strength.

[Moses Pena JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

Great book. Really gives you a greater love for Jesus and what he did for us. Loved it a lot.

[Hayden McLachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read on beholding Christ. I got to know and see God more through Ambrose's writings.