and sins This was the ground of the Apostles consolation to the afflicted Thessalonians who lived under the crosse al their days 1 Thes 4.16 17 18. v. 16 17. he gives them a lively Image or description of the coming of our Lord and then concludes v. 18. wherefore comfort one another with these words O! what a spring of consolation is here If thou art much acquainted with such thoughts I dare say thou canst be no stranger to true comfort Oh! how much comfort might Saints enjoy amidst al their crosses would they but feed and refresh their hearts with frequent expectations of their Lords second coming Do not the purest and best consolations come in this way Thus Paul comforts the same Thessalonians 2 Thes 1.7 And to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shal be reveled from Heaven with his mighty Angels He stil makes this the ground of his consolation to those afflicted Saints namely the Revelation of our Lord from Heaven 6. Another vital branch of the life of faith consists in dependence on Christ for actual Grace in al conditions and duties either of active or passive obedience wherein also much of the life and power of Godlinesse doth consist A Godly man is the most passive dependent creature in the World He can neither do nor suffer any thing as a Godly man without absolute immediate and total dependence on Christ by faith And what more effectually promotes such an absolute dependence on Christ than serious expectation of our Lords approche How powerfully is the soul drawen to depend on Christ for al Grace by a spiritual view of his glorious appearence who more dependent on Christ than such who live daily in the expectation of his returne A believing soul that has a spiritual constant regard to the coming of his Lord sees al fulnesse of Grace in him and al emtinesse in himself What makes men more negligent in taking hold of Grace when offered than putting far from them the coming of their Lord How comes it to passe that proud man affecteth to be self-sufficient as God but because he considers not the exact jugement which wil follow on the coming of our Lord He that eyeth that great day seeth a necessitie of putting al his stock and treasure in Christs hands The same faith that draweth forth the soul to regard the coming of his Lord draweth divine Influences from him in order to a provision for that day as Joh. 15.5 He that abideth in me c. 7. The last part of the life of faith is patiently to wait for the reward of al our services and sufferings And is not this also greatly promoted by spiritual expectations of our Lords approche 1. This as to service is evident from Heb. 10.35 Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward 36. For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the wil of God ye might receive the promisse i. e. the thing promissed Now what argument doth the Author use to excite them unto a fiducial waiting for the recompence of reward That follows v. 37. For yet a little while and he that shal come wil come and wil not tarry Here lies the force of his exhortation even in the speedy returne of our Lord. 2. So also as to sufferings what made Moses so patiently to wait for the recompence of reward but his seeing him who is invisible Heb. 11.26 27 i. e. Our Lord who wil come to judge both the quick and dead 13. Raised expectations of our Lords coming have also a prevalent Influence on Assurance which is a great spring of Godlinesse The more Assurance Saints have the more Godly usually they are For the sense of Gods love to them is mostessicacious to draw forth their love and obedience unto God To be sure that Christ is ours makes us to do and suffer the most for Christ Apprehended love is more powerful than apprehended wrath to keep the soul in ways of dutie The more the heart is assured of an Interest in Christ the more the Interest of Christ prevails in the heart and life Assurance of being in a state of Grace enlargeth the heart to receive much Grace from Christ Such a powerful Influence has Assurance on Godlinesse And O! what a soverain Influence has raised expectations of our Lords approche on Assurance Such thoughts have a twofold Influence on Assurance 1. By way of motive as they presse and provoke the heart to labor after assurance I no way dout sirs but were our hearts possest with daily and fresh apprehensions of Christs second coming to jugement we could not content our selves in such doutful peradventures about our state as now we take up with A soul that lies under deep expectations of Christs second coming wil thus reason in himself What! wil my Lord ere long come to jugement and must I then appear before him in my native colors Oh! what may I do then to be assured of an interest in his favor what more effectual to put men upon heart-examination than such a constant minding of our Lords approche to Jugement Thus Paul 1 Cor. 3.13 tels us that every mans worke shal be tried by fire in that day which is a strong argument to put us on the examination of our heart and workes in order to assurance 2. Actual fixed thoughts of Christs coming have a great Influence on Assurance by way of real evidence They are not only a motive but substantial ground to bottome assurance on what better note or signe of the sinceritie of thy Grace can there be than a fiducial chearful looking for and hastening to the coming of the day of God Be sure an hypocrite fears nothing more nothing strikes a greater dampe on his spirit than the apprehensions of Christs second coming because then al his rottennesse and hypocrisie shal be discovered I dare pronounce that person a Saint who can in good earnest desire and with a wel-grounded confidence expect the second coming of Christ to jugement Yea this is a signe not only of sinceritie but also of an eminence in Grace and therefore a substantial evidence and bottome for Assurance 14. Serious thoughts of the coming of Christ have a forcible influence on the carrying on and improvement of friendship with God in Christ The ancient Glossarie interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Godly man by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophiles a friend of God And indeed the Scripture seemeth to place much of the spirit and power of Godlinesse in friendship with God For look as friendship bends it self to serve please and conforme unto its friend so Godlinesse to serve please and conforme unto God Now what more effectual to maintain and improve friendship with God in Christ than lively expectations of our Lords approche 1. One part of friendship consisteth in Ressemblance of and conformitie unto our friend when mens principles dispositions ends humors conversation and manner of life is one
sinners which render their looking for the coming of our Lord very efficacious 1. Al sinners have more or lesse some commun notions of a future state There are some notions of good and evil naturally implanted in mens Consciences as the notions of truth and falshood So Rom. 2.14 15 16. The Gentiles are said to be a Law unto themselves c. The Apostles proposition is universally true which argues they were not without some apprehensions of a future state which rewardeth the good and punisheth the evil 2. They have also a natural inbred remote Inclination towards future happinesse with an aversation as to approching miserie 3. These commun notions and inbred Inclinations are oft much heightened by the accesse of Evangelic Illuminations 4. The Spirit of Bondage frequently comes and addes much more light and heat unto natural and awakened Consciences 5. Yea sometimes unconverted sinners obtain a taste of the Heavenly gift and of the powers of the world to come as Heb. 6.4 5. Now these commun notions Inclinations and dispositions specially when they are al in conjunction cannot but have a powerful Influence on awakened sinners such as look for the coming of our Lord. Oh! what strange convulsions and horrors of Conscience have some fallen under what a seeming Crucifixion to the World and Mortification of lust have they attained unto How far have they gone in partial Reformation and Conformitie to the Laws of Christ Yea what commun tastes have they had of approching glories by virtue of these commun notions and Illuminations of the Spirit seconded with a serious expectation of their coming Lord This seems to have been the case of some illuminated Jews of whom we find mention Heb. 6.4 They had not only some natural notions but moreover commun illuminations and tastes of the Heavenly gift Yea they were made partakers of the Holy Ghost i. e. had some transient and commun touches some imperfect worke of sanctification Ay but whence sprang al this That follows v. 5. And have tasted the good word of God i.e. Evangelic tidings of salvation by Christ and the powers of the World to come i. e. the suavities of those good things that shal be reveled at the coming of our Lord. The sum of al seems this The Spirit of God wrought in them some great illuminations and discoveries of the coming of the day of God which gave them labial tastes of the Heavenly Gift and brought them under a great mesure of partial Reformation and Renovation of heart and life 2. The Saints have some peculiar principles and dispositions in them which render their looking for the coming of our Lord exceding influential 1. Believers have a Divine Nature which is suited unto the coming of the day of God and al those good things then to be enjoyed as 2 Pet. 1.4 And this makes the expectation of our Lords coming exceding efficacious There is no disposition so spiritually natural to the new creature as the continual looking for the coming of our Lord. Hence the daily exercice hereof cannot but be of great force for the improvement of al holy Conversation and Godlinesse Believers neither thinke nor speake nor act nor live as they ought longer then they mind the coming of their Lord. 2. Saints have a Spirit of Adoption dwelling in them which addes a prevalent Influence to the looking for the coming of their Lord. The Spirit of Adoption residing in Believers is an earnest of al those glorious enjoyments which shal be reveled at the coming of our Lord and oh what a soverain force doth their looking for the coming of the day of God receive hence for the improvement of al manner of Godlinesse and holy Conversation Thus Rom. 8.23 Our selves also which have the first fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the Adoption The Spirit residing in believers as the principle of their life and Grace is not only the first fruits of approching Glorie but also a powerful spring which inclines the heart by ineffable groans to move towards our approching Lord whereby the heart is fortified and drawen forth in al manner of holy conversation and Godlinesse This Spirit of Adoption thus dwelling and acting in believers doth by lively views of our Lords coming worke up the heart to great elevations of Grace and holinesse 3. Saints have in them a principle of Divine saith which hath a great correspondence with and Influence on their looking for the coming of the day of God in order to an holy conversation and Godlinesse O! what an intimate cognation hath faith with the coming of our Lord and how much is Godlinesse improved by believing sights of that great day where ever we find any peculiar promisses made to a particular condition or frame of Spirit there faith when exercised on such promisses receives a peculiar Influence Now looking for the coming of the day of God hath many special promisses made to it which faith improves and draws influence from in order to a holy conversation and Godlinesse Thus 2 Tim. 4.8 Paul brings in the love of Christs appearing as the main condition of the Crown of Righteousnesse So Heb. 9.28 The looking for Christs coming is made the condition of his appearing the second time without sin unto salvation And in the general I do not find any one frame of spirit which has more peculiar promisses made to it than this of looking for and hastening to the coming of our Lord. Now then faith finding on record such special promisses made to this looking for our Lords approche hence it derives special Motives and Influences whereby it is much raised quickened and fortified in the prosecution of al manner of holy conversation and Godlinesse Special promisses entitle us unto special privileges blessings and Influences upon the performance of the condition annexed to them And the main worke of faith is to sucke and draw forth the juice and marrow of these promisses in order to the Divine life 4. A Saint has a strong Bent of heart with a great quantitie of spiritual Affections which are al suited to the coming of the day of God and being exercised thereon draw thence soverain Influences for the promoting of an holy Conversation and Godlinesse What more agreable to the Saints desires than the coming of their absent Lord how are their hopes solaced herein what a vehement Indignation and Antipathie have they against al that may hinder their Lords approche How much is their spiritual joy satisfied herein What an holy fear have they of themselves lest they should be found short in that day Now these Affections thus exercised on our Lords second coming draw down powerful Influences for the promoting of al manner of Godlinesse When Divine Affections are in conjunction with the coming of the day of God what strange and efficacious Influences procede thence for the begetting and encreasing al manner of holy Coversation and Godlinesse How holy how Heavenly minded are such Christians I should
by any menas I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead Dâ—bitaâ—di adverbia non semper incertitudinem directe important sed velr iÌ„ difficultatem exprimant vel propter allam rationem emphatice adhibentur Glass Gram. This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If here is not an if of douting as the Papists would persuade us but it is here used by Paul not without an Emphasis to shew the difficultie of the work as also his ardent desires lively hopes and important endeavors in running his Christian race By any means Paul tried al manner of Gracious experiments and Christian exercices and why That he might attain to the resurrection of the dead i. e. that he might hasten to the coming of his Lord. Thence it follows v. 12. Not as though I had already attained either were alreaay perfect but I follow after if I may apprehend that for which also I am apprchended of Christ Jesus These words with what follow are for the most part agonistic referring to the customes of the Grecian exercices in their games The words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apprehended signifie to catch or apprehend the Crown that hung over the Goal so also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfect is an Agonistic word that signifies the being crowned or receiving the reward and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I follow after denotes the contention of such as ran in the race who endeavored with al their might to out-run those before them Thence he addes v. 13. Brethren I count not my self to have apprehended but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forgetting those things which are behind This in like manner refers to the custome of Racers who were wont not to look behind them to see either how much of their race they had run or how far their Antagonists were behind but as it were forgetting what was passed they pressed on with might and main towards the end of their Race Whence it follows and reaching forth unto those things which are before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies to stretch forth to the utmost Paul here continues the metaphor of a Racer who when he came nigh the Goal gave a spring forward with al his might to catch at the Crown that hung over the Goal Thence also he addes v. 14. I presse toward the marque for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the marque properly signifies the Goal over which hung 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the price or Crown which they ran for We find frequent allusions specially in Pauls Epistles to this famous game of Racing as 1 Cor. 9.24 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Heb. 12.1 whereby he doth in a lively manner set forth the holy contention which a Believer ought to exercise in hastening to the coming of his Lord. Thus Paul by al manner of gracious exercices contended in his Christian race towards the coming of the day of God 8. By entring into the enjoyments of the Day of God we hasten towards that day Believers have or at least may have a prelibation or foretaste of approching glories There is a kind of entring into celestial Canaan even in this life So Heb. 4.11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest A Believer by saith may get on foot in the Celestial Canaan ere he get thither he may attain unto some fiducial possession and fruition of those good things hoped for ere he get the actual possession of them Now a great part of our hastening to the coming of the day of God consists in the prepossession and preenjoyment of those good things then to be reveled As the Israelites in the Wildernesse having had some prelibation of the first-fruits of Canaan could not but long for and hasten to the ful enjoyment of that promissed Land so a believer by foretastes of the celestial Canaan longs for and hastens to the coming of the day of God when he shal have the ful fruition of al. CHAP. III. When Influence The Looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God has on al sorts of persons to raise them up unto al manner of holy conversation and Godlinesse SECT 1. What Influence the looking for the coming of the Day of God has on sinners Vnconverted HAving dispatcht the first Question we procede to the second What Influence the Looking for and Hastening to the coming of the day of God has on al sorts of persons to raise them up to al manner of holy conversation and Godlinesse We may range al sorts of persons under these two commun Heads of Sinners and Saints which divide the whole World By sinners I understand persons unconverted and irregenerate by Saints persons converted to God Now a serious looking for and hastening to the coming of the day of God has an efficacious influence on both these though primarily on the later 1. Serious looking for the coming of our Lod has no smal Influence on Sinners or persons unconverted I know not a more powerful principle or consideration to make secure sinners serious about soul-concernes than lively thoughts and expectations of the second coming of our Lord to Jugement Alas can we imagine that sensual sinners would wallow head and ears in Sensualitie as they do had they but now and then some serious deep Apprehensions of their Lords approche to Judge the world Would the base-minded worldling be so costive and tenacious of his Gold and Silver did he consider that ere long it must al be burnt up No verily mens Consciences would flie in their faces and be a continual torment to them til they had parted with their beloved Idols were they but under the power of such serious thoughts touching the coming of their Lord. 1. Serious thoughts of Christs second coming to Jugement hasa very prevalent Influence on secure sinners in order to the conviction of sin This is indeed the fundamental principle and grand Instrument of al conviction of Sin That our great Lord wil ere long come to judge the world and the clearer apprehensions men have of that great day the clearer convictions wil they have of sin If sin be little iâ— thine eye it is because thou hast but little expectation of thine approching Lord. This therefore has been the course which the Ministers of God in al ages have taken to convince the secure World of sin namely to set before them the coming of Christ to jugement Thus Enoch what was the substance of his prophesie or preaching to that sinful generation but a lively description of our Lords coming to judge the world This is evident from Jude 14.15 And Enoch also Jude 14 15. the seventh from Adam prophesied of these saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints To execute jugement upon al and to convince al that are ungodly among them of al their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and
of souls walking securely in their own lusts they say with those profane scoffers 2 Pet. 3.4 where is the promisse of his coming Ah! had the sensual sinner but a real and ful expectation of his approching Judge how serious and affectionate would he be in his inquiries after and into the means of salvation Was not this Doctrine of Christs second coming to jugement one main fundamental principle in Peter's first Sermon that made those 3000 Converts so inquisitive about the means of salvation Act. 2.37 so Act. 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and unto the rest of the Apostles men and brethren what shal we do What 's the mater why do they crie out thus what shal we do why they were pricked in their heart Their Consciences were pricked and enflamed with a sense of divine wrath But how comes this to passe What is it that stings and gals their consciences 'T was when they heard this i. e. Peters precedent Sermon touching Christs Crucifixion Resurrection Exaltation and second coming to Jugement Peter gives them some Intimation v. 20. Of the great and notable day of the Lord and v. 21. That those who called on the name of the Lord should be saved Then to make this position good he goes on to prove the Resurrection and Exaltation of Christ as King and Judge of the World Whence v. 36. he concludes Therefore let al the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ As if he had said Assure your selves ye are those foes v. 35. whom if you continue such the Lord wil make his footstool There is a black day coming when this Son of God whom ye have Crucified shal cal you to an account for al your bloudy designes and Actions against his Royal person crown and dignitie For believe it God hath made him both Lord and judge of quick and dead Hence it follows v. 37. Now when they heard this i. e. that he whom they had crucified was made by God the Father both Lord and Judge of al they were pricked in their heart and said what shal we do As if they had said Is it so indeed Is he whom we crucified now exalted by God to be both Lord and Christ And wil he ere long come to judge us for al our desloyaltie and treason against him Shal al his foes then become his footstool Oh! then for the Lords sake tel us sirs what we shal do to be saved in that great day We wil stick at no means under Heaven for the saving of our souls Thus being deeply convinced of Christs Exaltation and second coming to judge the World the first inquiry they make is what shal we do to be saved And without al peradventure the expectation of Christs coming to judge the world was a main foundation and principle of the Jaylors inquirie Act. 16.30 SIrs what must I do to be saved The coming or the day of God wil be most terrible to secure sinners and therefore no wonder if the serious expectations thereof make awakened consciences inquisitive about salvation When the Lion roars the beasts of the forest tremble and seek refuge So when Christ the Lion of Judah roars in mens Consciences by lively convictions of his approching jugement how soon doth the stoutest sinner tremble and seek out for refuge Thus when Christ pleads his Controversie with Israel and threatens impendent Jugement Mic. 6.1 5. presently they fal upon their Inquiries though but legal v. 6. wherewith shal I come before the Lord and how my self before the high God c What more natural to an awakened conscience apprehensive of present or approching Jugements than serious Inquisition how to escape such Jugements 4. Serious and fiducial looking for the coming of Christ have a mighty forcible Influence on sinners in order to a deep humiliation for and turning from sin If we consult the Scripture we shal find that the great Argument and Instrument which the Apostles used to turne men from sin was the powerful preaching of the second coming of Christ to Jugement Thus Paul in his Sermon to the Athenians what subject doth he choose to Preach on among those great wits Why 't was the plain doctrine of Repentance or Humiliation for and Aversion from sin Act. 17.30 Act. 17.30 31. And the times of this ignorance God ninked at but now commandeth al men every where to repent Ay but what argument or reason doth he bring to prove this Doctrine unto these curious wits That follows v. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he wil judge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath ordained c. So that here lay the force and strength of his exhortation even in the coming of our Lord to Judge the World It s true many of these proud Athenian wits were not at al moved by this Argument but rather scoffed and mocqued at it v. 32. But what course doth Paul take then Why v. 33. So Paul departed from among them As having never a word more to say unto them Implying that if the Doctrine of Christs second coming to Jugement would not prevail with them to humble and turne them from sin nothing would in an ordinary way What more estectual for the killing of sin than fiducial sights of our coming Lord when the eye of the mind is fixed on the approche of the great Judge how is the Bent of the wil turned against sin How easily can they part with beloved lusts whose eyes are intent on the coming of the day of God What spiritual combats and conflicts against sin wil they maintain who live in the dayly expectation of their approching Lord 5. Serious expectations of the coming of our Lord have when sanctified by the Spirit of Grace no smal Influence not only for the aversion of the heart from sin but also for the Conversion of it to God Heart-affecting views of our approching Lord are when animated by the spirit of God a soverain Instrument for the turning of the heart to God Thus Peter in his second Sermon to the Jews Act. 3.19 Act. 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shal come from the presence of the Lord. The force of Peters exhortation whereby he presseth them to turne from sin unto God lies in this That their sins might be blotted out when the times of refreshing shal come from the presence of the Lord. Afacie Domini h. c. coram Domino jam in majestate sua apparente credentes Glorificant◠Glass Gram. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rendred by some before the Lord i. e. at his second coming when he shal in al his glorie and Majestie sit on his Throne of Jugement and absolve al Believers Oh! what a refreshment wil it be then to poor believers to receive a general
but in Salcm i. e. peace or the soul which is kept in order and peace Hence he is a Godly man indeed who hath got the Art and Skil of ordering his heart and conversation aright With such a soul God dwels and to him he sheweth his salvation So Psal 50.23 And to him that ordereth his conversation aright wil I shew the salvation of God Now nothing has a more soverain efficace for the ordering our hearts and lives aright than deep constant expectations of our Lords approche O! what an exact order are such mens souls and conversations in who daily expect the coming of their Lord how harmonious are their thoughts how uniforme and equal are their Affections What a sweet concent and exact mesure is there in al their ways This seems implied in that great Admonition of our Lord Luke 12.35 36. Let your loins be girded about and your lights burning and ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he wil returne from the wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately The girding of the loins and burning of their lights with their waiting for the returne of their Lord do al implie a good order of heart and life and whence springeth al this but from serious thoughts and expectations of our Lords coming The Allusion seems to be unto the custome of Servants who when they were under expectation of their Lords returne were mighty careful to set althings in order and preparation for him Lively thoughts of Christs coming preserve the soul in its due order by making Eternitie near If we have tidings that a person of great qualitie is coming to visit us how are althings immediately set at rights what care is there to put every thing in its place So here when the soul lies under deep impressions of the near approche of the Lord of Glorie how studious and exact is it in setting al its thoughts Affections motions and ways in order what a sweet Uniformitie and agrement wil there be in its thoughts how regular and consonant wil its affections be what a beautiful Decorum wil there be in its Actions and motions This is evident in persons on their death-bed who having lively views of Eternitie and their near approche thereto are most careful to set althings in order Thence 2 Kings 20.1 When Hezekiah was sick unto death Esaias by Gods appointment bids him set his house in order for he should die Indeed it is natural and most commun for Christians at the approche of death to set althings both of soul and estate in order and why because then they have deep apprehensions of the near approche of their Lord. So that had we as we ought to have such lively views of our Lords coming at al times what an admirable order harmonie and concent would there be in our hearts and conversations 11. Heart-affecting views of our Lords coming have a prevalent Influence on Christian Vigilance or Watchfulnesse which is another great piece of Godlinesse The Life and power of Godlinesse is much maintained by a spiritual watching over our hearts and ways Usually the more or lesse vigilant we are the more or lesse Godly we are None thrive more in Godlinesse than such as are the most curious observers of their own spirits Inclinations affections and conversations on al occasions as to tentations and duties But Oh! how dangerous is a sleepy profession What a world of evils attend a slumbering professor how soon do short sleeps harden And what more commun in these last days than spiritual slumbers even among Virgin prosessors Yea how apt are Christians to be over-taken with slumbering fits even under the greatest dangers and duties And whence comes this to passe but from putting far off the coming of their Lord Thus it is with the ten Virgins as wel wise as foolish Mat. 25.5 Mat. 25.5 while the bridegroom tarried they al slumbred and slept This refers to these last days of the world in which our Lord premonisheth us that the great sin of professors would be spiritual slumber and securitie arising from the bridegrooms tarrying i. e. their not apprehending the nearnesse of his approche Whence it follows by natural consequence that the more clearly and fully we apprehend the Bridegrooms approche and the nearnesse thereof the more vigilant and watchful we shal be There are two main parts of Christian vigilance 1. To watch against sin and Tentation 2. To watch unto dutie Now both of these are greatly promoted by lively expectations of our Lords approche 1. Fixed contemplation of our Lords coming is a prevalent means to keep the soul vigilant and watchful against sin and tentations thereto Thus Mat. 24.42 43. Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come But know this that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come be would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up This Paul applies to our Christian vigilance against Tentation 1 Thes 5.2 6. 1 Thes 5.2 6. v. 2. For your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night He refers to the foregoing Admonition of our Lord which was communly received in al the Churches And what doth he infer hence v. 6. Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober He brings in the unexpected coming of our Lord as a forcible motive to provoke al Christians unto Christian vigilance against Tentation What is the reason that many professors are so soon overcome by smal tentations and hardened in sin but because they watch not against them And why is it that that they watch not against sin and tentation but because they expect not the coming of Christ 2. Frequent and affectionate expectations of our Lords coming are exceding powerful to keep the soul vigilant and watchful as to dutie Continual vigilance over the worke God cals us to is a great marque of Godlinesse He is a Godly man indeed who watcheth al occasions of doing good and of being faithful in every relation and service God cals him unto And what greater incentive or argument have we to excite us hereto than dayly expectations of our Lords approche Mat. 24.44 46. Having exhorted them and us to watch v. 42 43. he addes v. 44. Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as you thinke not the Son of man cometh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For this cause i. e. because your Lord cometh as a thief in the night therefore watch al opportunities of being found in ways of dutie Whence it follows v. 45. who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household Câ—istus hac inteâ—rogatioâ—is orma 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to give them meat in due season Here is quis for qualis or quantus Who i. e. What a faithful and prudent servant is