Christs Coming and the Influence of its Expectation, Discourse · Chapter 5
CHAP. V. The Application of the whole.
SECT. 1. Doctrinal Inferences.
HAving diſpatcht the explication of our ſubject, we now procede to the Application thereof; and that firſt by Doctrinal Inferences.
1. From the Doctrine of Chriſts coming as before explicated, we may infer, That looking for, and haſtening to the coming of the day of God comprehends the moſt noble and active part off the Divine life, both as to faith, and Godlineſſe. There are two main ſprings of the Divine life, contemplation of God in Chriſt, and Action, or motion towards him: and doth not looking for, and haſtening unto the coming of our Lord take in both of theſe? As for Contemplation of God in Chriſt, what pure, immixed, raiſed thoughts of God have ſuch, as daily expect the coming of Chriſt? How familiar, affectionate, and warme are their meditations of things ſpiritual? with what a fervor and vehemence do ſuch applie their minds to Divine objects? who more enured to Divine contemplation, than ſuch? What more effectual to bind the thoughts to ſpiritual objects, than this looking for our coming Lord? Doth not this make you maſters of your thoughts, by forcing of them on Inviſible Glories? Who have more clear, real, and lively notions of the things of God than ſuch? What more efficacious to improve al objects your thoughts converſe with, to ſpiritualiſe al providences and enjoyments, than ſuch lively expectations of our Lords approche? In ſhort, may not this be eſtimed as Jacobs Ladder, whereby the ſoul aſcends up to God, and God deſcends down unto the ſoul?
So alſo for ſpiritual Action, which is another main part of the Divine life, what more powerful to fortifie, familiariſe, and ſweeten gracious exercices, than daily waiting for the coming of our Lord? Doth not this quicken, enlarge, refreſh, ſtrengthen, and eſtabliſh the ſoul in al holy duties? What more effectual to fil up al your time with proper duties? Doth not this bring the ſoul into the neareſt acceſſe to God? Is it not the wing, by which the ſoul retires into God? Doth it not ſubdue the heart to God, and cauſe it firmely to adhere to him? In ſum: Is not this looking for the coming of our Lord, the richeſt, ſafeſt, ſweeteſt, freeſt; moſt ſatisfying, moſt thriving, moſt harmonious life? Yea, doth it not come neareſt to the life of God? wherein conſiſts the life of God, but in the bleſſed Viſion, and Fruition of his own moſt perfect Being? And who have a more clear and real viſion and fruition of God, than ſuch as daily look for, and haſten to the coming of our Lord? And doth it not hence follow, that this contains the moſt noble and active part of the Divine life? Oh! what a progreſſe hath he made in the Divine Life, whoſe heart is raiſed to a daily contemplation of and meditation, on the coming of the day of God?
2. Hence alſo we ſee the true reaſon, why ſo many profeſſors, and ſome truely Godly, are ſo far behind in their Chriſtian Race, and have ſo much of their worke before them. It is ſtrange to conſider how long many have been in the Schole of Chriſt, and yet how far ſhort they are of others, who entred on the profeſſion of Chriſt long after them, Oh! how carnal, and darke are their notions of God in Chriſt? What cold and frozen Affections have they for God, and the things of God? How ſoon are they over-powered by a ſmal Tentation? What a burden is it to them to part with their burdens, that hinder them in their Chriſtian race? How much and how ſoon are they defiled with the pollutions of this world? And whence comes al this, but from want of ſerious, lively expectations of their Lords Approche? Believe it, there is a deep myſterie, a Spiritual Art and Skil in Godlineſſe, which none arrive unto ſo ſoon as they, who wait for the coming of their Lord. What made the Theſſalonians, in a ſhort time to arrive unto ſuch high pitches of Chriſtianitie, but that they imbibed, or ſucked in, at their firſt Converſion, this principle, of waiting for the coming of their Lord, 1 Theſ. 1.10? and O that profeſſors would trie this experiment! Verily, we ſhould not have ſuch complaints, decays, folies, and ſcandals among profeſſors, as now we every where find. It is a ſure and fixed Rule, That no one hath made a further proficience, in the ſchole of Chriſt, than he can with hope and Joy expect the ſecond coming of Chriſt.
3. Hence likewiſe we may infer, That among the croud of profeſſors, few, yea very few, are acquainted with this great frame of looking for, and haſtening to the coming of the day of God. (1.) Do not many, who profeſſe love to Chriſt, hate the thoughts of his coming, as 2 Pet. 3.4? (2.) How many are there, who forſake their firſt love, and backſlide from Chriſt, as Hoſ. 11.7. Rev. 2.4? (3.) Can we ſuppoſe, that they look for the coming of their Lord, whoſe eyes are dazled with the fading beautie of this world? (4.) Do they look for the coming of their Lord, who ſleep ſecurely in the boſome of the times, and never mind their later end? (5.) Is it poſſible that they ſhould expect the coming of their Lord, who are drowned head and ears in the cares of this world; who violently purſue after the ſhadows of time, but are prodigiouſly ſluggiſh about the concernes of eternitie? (6.) May we imagine, that they look for the coming of their Lord, who cannot denie themſelves a toy, or ſenſual luſt for him, who indulge themſelves in the commiſſion of knowen ſins, and the omiſſion of known duties? Oh! how defective are al theſe, with many more commun profeſſors, in their looking for, and haſtening unto the coming of the day of God? Do not moſt mens lives ſpeak, what contradictions they are to their profeſſion?
4. This alſo teacheth us, How much it is below the ſpirit, and profeſſion of a Chriſtian, to terminate and bound his Thoughts, Deſires, and Hopes by things of Time. Alas! how ſoon wil time eat us out of this poor Cottage we now inhabit in? What folie is it to make our Inne our home, our Hoſpital our Paradiſe? What ſhal we be the poorer, at the coming of our Lord, for the want of thoſe worme-eaten Gods, thoſe maſqued Idols, thoſe glittering nothings, which the degenerate Sons of Adam do now ſo much Idoliſe? Doth not our great Lord inſtruct us, that the way to Heaven is narrow, and the gate ſtrait; yea, That it is eaſier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of God? Mat. 19.24. The Camel hath a bunched back, and therefore cannot eaſily enter into a ſtrait gate: O! how impoſſible is it for Profeſſors to enter into the ſtrait gate of Heaven, with any bunch of times Idols? Believe it, beloved Idols and we can never go to Heaven together: there is no room for ſuch falſe Gods. How comes it to paſſe then, that we are ſo unwilling to part with our burdens? why ſhould we dote on the Gods of time? what a ſhame is it for us to take up with any thing ſhort of our Lord? O! what a great kindneſſe, and rich favor is it, for our Lord to ſnatch from us any eye-pleaſing Idols, which hinder our looking for, and haſtening to his ſecond coming?
5. Infer likewiſe hence, That the grand difference between ſincere Chriſtians, and ſecret Hypocrites conſiſts, in the regard they both have to the coming of the Day of God. How far have many cloſe Hypocrites gone in the knowlege, profeſſion, and practice of Chriſtianitie? What a broad and dazling light has there ſhone on their minds? what deep convictions of ſin, yea, and wounds of Conſcience for ſin have they layen under? Have not ſome alſo had many affectionate workings of heart towards Chriſt, his Ordinances, ways, people; yea, and his croſſe alſo? And O! what a ſeeming conformitie have they given to the Laws of Chriſt? And yet after al this, …o! how ſoon have al their Convictions, Affections, and ſeeming Godlineſſe ſunke down into an earthly worldly Spirit; or, at beſt into a mere emty, ſecure, formal profeſſion? And whence ſprings the bitter root of ſuch a prodigious Apoſtaſie, but from this, that they never had a real, ſpiritual, ſingle, pure, fixed eye of faith, to look for the coming of the day of God? Is not this fully exemplified in the fooliſh Virgins, who are generally thought to refer to theſe laſt days? So Mat. 25.3. They that were fooliſh took their …ampes, and took no oyl with them. May we …ot wel underſtand by oyl, an eye of faith, which enlightens the ſoul, and enables it to look for, and haſten to the coming of its Lord? Its true, the Wiſe Virgins, as wel as the Fooliſh, had their ſlumbering fits, while the Bridegroom tarried, as v. 5. but yet they had eyes in their heads, they had the Oyl of a Divine habitual faith, which kept them under an habitual Vigilance, albeit they wanted actual for ſome time. And herein the meaneſt believer excels the moſt ſhining hypocrite, that, notwithſtanding ſome ſhort ſlumbers he may be overtaken with, yet he ſtil has an habitual radical eye of faith, which more or leſſe has regard to the coming of the day of God. Whereas the moſt glorious hypocrite has no Oyl in his Veſſel, no ſaving habitual light, and therefore he lies in a dead ſleep, without any fiducial regard to the coming of the day of God.
6. This inſtructs us alſo, That then, and only then the Croſſe of Chriſt triumphes in the hearts of Believers, over ſin, Satan, and the World, when the ſoul is brought unto this Divine Life of faith, always to look for and haſten to the coming of the day of God. What was it that made our great Lord, even on the Croſſe, to triumph over the Croſſe, but the previſion of his Victorie over Death, by Death itſelf? So in like manner, what makes the Croſſe of Chriſt triumphant in the hearts of Believers, but their faith looking through al their ſufferings to the coming of the Day of God, and the complete Victorie they ſhal then obtain over al enemies and croſſes? O! how much pleaſure, and how little pain have they in fighting againſt Sin and Tentation, who daily expect and hope for the coming of their Lord? what makes the Lambes followers overcome by dying, but the fiducial hopes they have of their Lords Approche? How comes it to paſſe, that the Saints rejoice in their povertie, and are poor in their Riches, but that they by faith do behold their coming Lord? Doth not the Believer, who looks for the Approche of his Lord, look on al his evils as paſſing, and on al his good things hoped for as coming towards him? And O! what a triumphe doth the Croſſe of Chriſt gain hereby in his heart? What an happineſſe is it to him, to be unhappy for a little time, that ſo he may be happy for ever with his Lord? What Riches is it to him to be poor for a little time? How much Libertie doth he find in the ſlaverie of Time? What a little Heaven doth he find ſtamped on his temporary Hel? How many bleſſings on the curſes of men? and why, but becauſe he expects the coming of his Lord?
7. Laſtly, Hence learne, how greatly it does concerne us al, to entertain our hearts continually, with ſuch ſerious thoughts, and lively expectations of Chriſts ſecond coming. It has been in part diſcovered, what influence ſuch thoughts have upon our preſent and everlaſting condition. O! then how ſhould this provoke us al to keep up ſuch ſerious freſh and lively thoughts of Chriſts ſecond coming? Alas! what is it that makes the moſt of men ſo ſotiſhly ignorant of God; ſo ſenſual and brutiſh in their enjoyments; ſo careleſſe and regardleſſe of Heaven and Glorie; ſo ſecure and ſupine under al the threatnings of the Law, Hel, and everlaſting diſpleaſure? Is it not this, that men put far from them the evil day; they never have a ſerious thought of the ſecond coming of Chriſt to jugement. Surely, ſirs, would we but be ſerious in the conſideration of this great day, what a ſtrange alteration ſhould we find in mens lives? would the voluptuous glutton, in the midſt of al his dainties, but take up a ſerious thought of Chriſts ſecond coming, how ſoon would he turne his feaſting into faſting and prayer? would the ſwiniſh drunkard, in the midſt of al his careſſes, ſeriouſly conſider, that the Lord is coming, and wil ere long cal him to jugement for al his bruitiſh wickedneſſe; ſurely every draught he drinkes would be but as gal and wormewood to his taſte. So for the profane Swearer and Blaſphemer of the name of God, would he but ſeriouſly conſider, that ere long he muſt anſwer, at the bar of divine Juſtice, for every idle word, how would he bridle his tongue, and watch over his lips? Likewiſe the covetous worldling, whoſe heart is in his bagges and barnes, would he but now and then conſider, that his Lord is coming, and wil require an account of his ſtewardſhip, how would he endeavor to make friends of the unrighteous Mammon? Laſtly, for the cloſe ſecret hypocrite, who makes it his worke to varniſh his profeſſion with ſeeming Graces, alas! did he but conſider, that when the Lord Jeſus ſhal be reveled from Heaven, al his hypocriſie wil be laid open, al his hay and ſtubble, his rotten, hollow-hearted profeſſion wil be burnt up, in that flaming fire, I ſay, would your cloſe hypocrites conſider this; how would they prize a little ſinceritie? how would they worke out their ſalvation with fear and trembling, endeavoring to approve themſelves not ſo much to men, as to their Lord and maſter at his ſecond coming? My friends, you cannot imagine, what powerful influence ſuch ſerious thoughts of Chriſts ſecond coming would have upon mens hearts. Methinkes, the very thought, that our Lord Jeſus is coming to judge both quicke and dead; that it cannot be long ere that every ſoul here preſent muſt appear before his jugement Throne, and give an account of every thing done in the fleſh, and ſuch as are not found in Chriſt, ſhal then be turned into Hel, to lie under the ſcorching wrath of a ſin-revenging God, and that for ever, I ſay, ſuch thoughts as theſe, methinkes, ſhould ſtartle and affrighten every ſecure ſinner in this Congregation. Is not this, ſirs, a ſad contemplation, and yet moſt true, that of ſo many hundreds that doe meet together for the Worſhip of God; the greateſt part, yea all, that remain unbelievers, ſhal ere long meet in Hel, and there bewail their curſed ſecuritie, in not minding the coming of their Lord?
SECT. 2. Practic Ʋſes.
THE practic Ʋſes, which this ſubject as before explicated, are of great moment, and therefore deſerve ferious Attention.
1. Here is mater of doleful Lamentation, and Humiliation, to conſider, what ſtrangers the moſt of Profeſſors are to the coming of our Lord. It is the obſervation of a la…t great Divine, now with God: At this day the world is coming to the laſt fit of madneſſe againſt Chriſt. And wherein lies this laſt fit of the worlds madneſſe againſt Chriſt, but in mens endeavors to baniſh out of the World, al thoughts of the coming of the Day of God, as 2 Pet. 3.3.4? And oh! what ſad mater of Lamentation is it to thinke, how far many Profeſſors ſal under this condemnation? Alas! how few underſtand what this means, to look for and haſten to the coming of the day of God? Where is the awakened ſoul, that ſtands on his watch tower, looking forth towards the coming of his Lord? when was it, that you had any lively heart-affecting views of that great day? Doth it not give us a dreadful prognoſtic, that ſome aſtoniſhing Jugement is at the dore, becauſe men ſo little expect the great day of Jugement, at the coming of our Lord? Has it not ever been a ſad preſage of ſome impendent Jugements, if not ruine to a profeſſing people, when they have baniſht from their hearts al ſerious thoughts of future Jugement, as Lam. 1.9? O that profeſſors would daily be humbled for, and lament over this ſin, their not daily looking for, and haſtening to the coming of the day of God!
2. Our ſubject affords us alſo mater of Caution, Advice, and Counſel to profeſſors, and that chiefly in four particulars. (1.) That they beware of a carnally ſecure, ſleepy, and loitering ſpirit in their Chriſtian Race. O! what a contradiction is a ſleepy Chriſtian to the Religion he profeſſeth? How near akin is a ſleepy Chriſtian to a dead hypocrite? Its true, the Hypocrites ſpiritual death is a total privation of al principles of life: but doth not carnal ſecuritie bring a ſuſpenſion of the Acts of life, even in a real Chriſtian? O! beware of carnal ſecuritie after great peace and comforts, whether inward or outward. How doth carnal ſecuritie creep inſenſibly on moſt profeſſors, firſt or laſt? And what a danger are ſuch in of doſing their peace, exercices of Grace, and Communion with Chriſt? Remember, carnal ſecuritie comes not alone: and when it comes, it expoſeth you to the violent incurſion of every Tentation: and, that which is worſt of al, it binds up al your ſpiritual ſenſes and Faculties; ſo that you can neither look for, nor haſten unto the coming of the day of God. O! fear the terrors of the Lord at that great day. How are the Conſciences of moſt men bound up with chains of ſecuritie; ſo that they cannot ſee or fear their miſerie, before they feel it?
(2.) Be adviſed alſo not to expect or deſire much Reſt in this Life. Remember it is inconſiſtent with your preſent ſtate, to have your Reſt here; becauſe you are now in your Motion and Race towards your approching Lord. The Saints triumph here lies in conflicts againſt ſin and tentation; his Reſt, in a life of faith under troubles. He that expects other Reſt here, wil find the greater troubles and diſappointment. And this alſo know, that the Hopes which a believer has, under al his troubles, of a Reſt, at the coming of his Lord, are much better, than al the preſent enjoyments of others. Expectation of Reſt here is a great bar to our looking for the coming of our Lord.
(3.) Beware of ſecret heart-back ſlidings from Chriſt: For theſe are moſt oppoſite to our looking for, and haſtening to the coming of the Day of God. It was the ſaying of an holy eminent Divine now in Glorie: Thinke on this ſpeech, when you ſee me dead, that of al Churches in the World, the Lord Jeſus carries a moſt Jealous eye, over theſe for whom he hath done ſuch great things: and I know it, he taketh exceding il your ſecret wantonneſſes, and whoredomes of heart.
4. Take heed of a formal, remiſſe, ſleight ſpirit in private duties, or public Ordinances: For hereby you loſe your communion with Chriſt; and ſo, by conſequence, your looking for, and haſtening to the coming of the Day of God.
3. Here is alſo mater of Heart-examination,
(1.) Whether we look for the coming of our Lord. Are our hearts taken off from gazing on the fading Glorie of this lower world? Do we value althings as they refer unto the coming of the Day of God? Are our ſouls drawen by the Glorie of that day, as the Iron is by the Load-ſtone? Do we by faith feed on the good things of that day? What influence hath the expectation of this day on our Hearts and lives? Are we made more holy and heavenly-minded hereby? If it be thus with us, then al is wel. But if, after al our awakened thoughts, we are again grown ſecure, carnal, earthly-minded, formal in duties, proud, and confident in our ſelves, it is a black marque we look not for the coming of our Lord.
(2.) Examine whether you are prepared to meet the Lord, when he comes. Suppoſe you ſhould this night hear the crie, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! are you ready to enter into the wedding chamber? Have you the Wedding garment of Faith and Holineſſe? Do you ſtand with your loins girt, and your lamps burning, ever ready to entertain your Lord? How ſtands it with you in point of Aſſurance, and wel-grounded evidences, as to your eternal ſtate? Can you look Chriſt in the face with confidence, when he comes? Are you ſure your ſins are pardoned, and your perſons accepted? Dare you look death in the face without change of countenance, when ever it comes? Remember, the Lord hath taken al other cares on himſelf, that ſo we might care for nothing, but to prepare for our Lords approche. Examine whether this be your care.
(3.) Examine wel both your Notions and Practice of Godlineſſe. Count nothing Godlineſſe, but what wil bear the fiery trial, at the coming of our Lord: let there not be a looſe pin in the main parts of your Chriſtianitie. Thinke oft, whither you are going, and where you ſhal loge at night: and this wil make you exceding accurate and curious, both in your notions, and practice of Godlineſſe.
4. Here is mater of conviction, rebuke, and ſhame, both to ſecure ſinners, and Saints, who mind not the coming of the day of God.
(1.) Here is mater of conviction and confuſion to carnal ſecure ſinners, ſuch as Peter propheſieth of, 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. Who walk after their own luſts: ſaying, where is the promiſſe of his coming. I fear there are too many, who pretend much friendſhip to Chriſt, and yet ſeldome or never think of his returne. I ſhal therefore take libertie, to reaſon the caſe with ſuch. Thou thinkeſt, peradventure, it may be long enough ere Chriſt come, if he come at al: Mean while thou art reſolved to take thy fil of thy luſts. Very good: Ay, but what grounds haſt thou to thinke, it wil be long ere Chriſt come? Doth not the Scripture tel thee in expreſſe termes, the Judge ſtandeth at the dore, Jam. 5.9? and dareſt thou contemne plain Scripture? doeſt thou conſider whoſe word it is thou doeſt contemne? whoſe threats thou thinkeſt ſcorne of? Canſt thou not believe he is ſo near at hand? Why, yet believe that he wil ſurely come, firſt or laſt, and then cal thee to an account for al thine evil deeds? I ſay, do but believe this, and I queſtion not but it wil make thine heart to ake. Ay, but poſſibly thou mayſt preſume to find favor with him in that day: Why not? What ſinner! canſt thou expect to find favor in his eyes at laſt day, and yet deſpiſe, and reject al proffers of his Grace in this day of ſalvation; ſpit in his face; and prefer a few ſenſual delights before him? Oh! what a fooliſh ſoul-deluding preſumtion is this? Its true, our great Lord is exceding merciful, pure Grace, al love: But is he not alſo as juſt and righteous? Is it not a righteous thing with him to recompenſe tribulation to carnal ſecure ſinners? and, what! wouldſt thou have him unrighteous that he may ſhew merciemercy to thee? Ah! what a ſad contemplation is this for awakened ſinners, to thinke, that God muſt either be unrighteous, or al their fooliſh hopes of merciemercy muſt periſh? And let me tel thee, ſinner, the merciemercy and Free-grace of God wil be ſo far from favoriſing of thee, in that great day, if thou continueſt in thy ſin, as that it wil prove a ſtinging aggravation of thy miſerie. Oh! what a dreadful worme wil this breed in thy Conſcience, to be ſpurned into hel by a foot of MercieMercy and Grace? Do not thy hopes yet fail thee? Is not thine heart yet pained, and rent at the thoughts of thy Lords coming to Jugement? Doeſt thou not, as it were, ſee the Lord of Glorie coming in Chariots of flaming fire, to take vengeance on carnal ſecure ſinners? Methinkes, that voice ſhould be ever ringing in thine ears, Lo! Yonder, yonder comes the Judge of the whole Earth! What meaneſt thou, ſinner, by plodding, how thou mayſt keep thy luſts, and yet eſcape future wrath? How long wilt thou procede to harden thy wicked heart to thine own deſtruction, by putting far off the evil day? Aſſure thy ſelf the day of the Lord is never the farther off, for thy thinking it is ſo: but this advantage it wil have by the putting of it far off, it wil ſurpriſe thee unawares. And what wil become of al thy fond hopes and groundleſſe preſumtions? how wil al thy cruel ſelf-flatteries end in everlaſting horror, confuſion, diſappointment and deſpair?
(2.) Here is mater of conviction and ſhame even to Believers, to thinke how little the moſt of them have their thoughts fixed on the ſecond coming of their Lord. Alas! how little are your expectations of that great day raiſed? How coldly and faintly do your Affections worke towards that good time? Ah Sirs! are there ſuch glorious things to be reveled then? and hath the forethoughts hereof ſo much influence, upon al manner of holy Converſation and Godlineſſe? How comes it to paſſe then, that Believers have their hearts no more bent towards this great day? How comes it to paſſe, that their Affections are not carried out more to meet their approching Lord? Is it not ſtrange, that Chriſtians ſhould be ſo ſeldome, and ſo low in the thoughts of this glorious day? Alas! where can we ſpend our meditations better than to meet our Lord? where can the Spouſe better employ her thoughts and affections, than with her abſent Husband? Who ſhould look towards the coming of their friend, their Savior, if not Believers? As for the ſecure world no wonder, if they endeavor to ſtifle al thoughts of their Lords approche, ſithat it wil be a black day to them: But as for believers, O! what a joyful time wil it be to them? Wil it not be the time of their complete redemtion, their mariage-day? Should not their thoughts therefore be always muſing on this day? How ſhould their hearts leap for joy, at the very reports of it? But is it thus with them? Are not al too much ſtrangers to this day? And oh! what an hainous ſin is it for believers, not to look for this great day?
(1.) How much do ſuch ſin againſt the many intimate relations they bear to Chriſt? Is it poſſible that the member ſhould forget its Head? Was it ever known, that the affectionate faithful Spouſe forgat her abſent husband? Is it not then ſtrange unkindneſſe, that the members of Chriſt ſhould put far from them the coming of their Head, and Lord?
(2.) What a ſtrange violence do ſuch offer to al the principles of the New Creature? Is there any thing more injurious to the divine nature, than not to mind the approche of Chriſt? Doth not this greatly provoke and grieve the Spirit of Adoption? How is faith oppreſt, and kept under hereby? What a check and contradiction is this to al Divine Affections?
(3.) For Believers not to mind the coming of their Lord, is a ſin againſt the ſtrongeſt and deepeſt obligations. Doth not this oppoſe al our Covenants, Reſolutions, Experiences, Ordinances; yea, the bloud and heart of our dying and exalted Savior? Was not this one main end of the death and exaltation of Chriſt, that believers might live always in the expectation of him?
(4.) What a World of other ſins are maintained by our not looking for our Lords approche? What more prevalent to feed Idolluſts? How is Conſcience caſt into fits of ſpiritual ſlumber hereby, as Mat. 25.5? What a world of ſloath, deadneſſe, and formalitie is nouriſhed hereby? How much Inſtabilitie, confuſion, and diſtraction of ſpirit is cauſed hereby?
(5.) Yea, how cruel and injurious are ſuch to their own ſouls? What a ſting and poiſon doth this put into every affliction? How doth it embitter the ſweeteſt mercies? Yea, doth it not open a dore to al tentations, and leave men ſhiftleſſe under the greateſt difficulties?
5. Let us then al be exhorted henceforth daily to look for, and haſten unto the coming of our Lord. And to provoke our hearts hereto, let theſe following motives be duely conſidered by us.
(1.) Is not that great day our time of Reſt? and do not al mind their Reſt, ſpecially after hard labor, and a tireſome journey? would not al fain be at home, when night comes? What is this world, but our Wilderneſſe?
(2.) Conſider the nearneſſe of your Relation, and the manifold engagements you ſtand in unto Chriſt. Are you not maried unto Chriſt? and doth not the law of mariage require, that you daily expect the coming of your abſent husband? Remember you are not maried to the clay-Gods of time, but to Chriſt, who has laid infinite obligations on you, daily to expect his returne.
(3.) Conſider alſo Chriſts Regard, and Affection towards you. Though his Bodie be in the ſupreme Heaven, yet is not his eye of pitie and care; yea, and his heart with you? Doth he not long for you? and wil you not alſo long for him?
(4.) Remember alſo what Influence this looking for your approching Lord hath on your heart and ways. O! What Vigor and Strength doth it infuſe into al that you do or ſuffer? How much is the heart hereby fortified againſt al tentations and difficulties? This wil be wings and ſpurs to the ſoul in every dutie: The more you eye your home, the more active wil you be in your way.
(5.) Is not this likewiſe your Glorie and triumphe, to turne your back on althings of time, and daily to look for, and haſten to the coming of your Lord? Are you not hereby advanced into the higheſt forme of Chriſtians; yea, taken up into the very ſpirit and life of Heaven? Have you not hereby a beginning of Heaven, a ſtampe of Glorie on your hearts and lives?
(6.) Remember, that al you do for your ſouls, without a regard to the coming of the day of God, is nothing. You neither mind, nor affect, nor act any thing to purpoſe, longer than you mind your Lords approche. What is al your Religion without this, but a dreaming, ſleepy, loitering formalitie? Al your Actions and paſſions for God, which refer not to this day, are loſt.
(7.) To look for and haſten unto the coming of your Lord, puts you into a ſtate of Libertie and freedome: it makes you freeborne Citizens of Heaven, as Phil. 3.20. Whereas al others are chained to the Idols of time, priſoners to their luſts, of ſervile ignoble ſpirits. Nothing brings ſo much Amplitude and Libertie of heart and ways, as daily looking for that great Day.
(8.) Remember the judge ſtandeth at the dore; you are on the brink of Eternitie; and dare you ſleep or loiter, when the judge is ſo near? Is it not prodigious folie, to lie dreaming on the precipice of Eternitie? If you look not for the coming of your Lord, is it not a black marque, that wrath and jugement look for you? Have you not ſufficient cauſe to queſtion your Intereſt in Chriſt, if you altogether neglect and diſregard his ſecond coming?
(9.) Know that your choiſeſt comforts, peace, hopes, Graces, with the whole of the Divine Life depend greatly on your looking for, and haſtening unto the coming of your Lord. Chriſt wil never honor you with much peace, joy, and Grace, if you wil not honor him with looking for and haſtening unto his ſecond coming.
(10.) Future Bleſſedneſſe is entailed on our preſent looking for and haſtening unto the coming of our Lord. Thus Heb. 9.28. And to them that look for him, ſhal he appear the ſecond time without ſin, unto ſalvation. So that you ſee Chriſt wil appear to none in a way of ſalvation but ſuch as look for him.
(11.) Doth not the whole Creation, excepting the ſecure ſleepy world, look for the coming of our Lord, as Rom. 8.19, 20, 21. and wil you not do the ſame?
(12.) Laſtly, To be altogether unmindful duplicate page duplicate page of your Lords approche, argues a lifeleſſe, ſenſeleſſe heart. Is not the expectation of your Lords approche, your ſafeſt, ſweeteſt, richeſt, nobleſt life? Oh! then what a ſad death is it, to be deprived, either in part or in whole, of that which is your higheſt life? To be dead to Chriſt and his ſecond coming, which brings eternal life, what a miſerable death is this? Is not al life dead and gone, if your looking for your Lords returne be dead and gone?
To give a few Directions for our better looking for, and haſtening unto the coming of our Lord.
1. Make the promiſſe the meſure of thine expectations; and let thy ſpirit be unſatiſfied, til thou haſt got ſome aſſurance of an intereſt in the good things promiſſed, at the coming of thy Lord. As the promiſſe alone can give being to thy faith and hopes; ſo the Aſſurance of an intereſt in the things promiſſed, gives life and vigor to thy looking for, and haſtening unto the coming of thy Lord. Thou canſt not hope for the coming of thy Lord, without a promiſſe; neither wilt thou haſten towards it, without ſome perſuaſion of an Intereſt in the things promiſſed. Leave not ſoul-concernes under any hazards, or peradventures: Reſt not ſatisfied in any condition, 'til you are ſure, you can look Chriſt in the face, when he comes, without fear or ſhame. In order hereto caſt up your accounts daily; and never be ſatisfied without ſome aſſurance your ſins are pardoned.
(2.) Be ever parting with the Idols of time: Let no falſe God, or Image of Jealouſie loge in your heart. Remember the Lord uſually conveigheth his moſt deadly poiſon, through the ſweet wine of proſperitie. O! how many, by having their eyes dazled with the glorie of this world, have loſt the ſight of their Lords approche? How ſoon are our eyes miſted, and hearts bewitched with the golden pleaſures of that heart-inveigling Idol, the World? Oh! at what a diſtance ought we to keep from the wals of this Peſt-houſe? what have we to do with this dirty Idol, which the degenerate Sons of Adam Worſhip and adore?
(3.) Let your Thoughts and Affections ever worke according to the Dignitie of thoſe objects you expect, at the coming of your Lord, and your Relation to them. Haſt thou a clear apprehenſion of thy Lords approche, and ſome Aſſurance of an Intereſt in him? O! then how ſhould thy Love, by al manner of vehement exercices both of deſire, hope, Joy and ſatisfaction, move towards thy Lord? Or, doeſt thou behold the coming of thy Lord, but want a prevalent aſſurance of an Intereſt in him? what an holy awe and filial fear of thy Lord; what hatred and Indignation againſt ſin oughteſt thou to have?
(4.) Make frequent ſuppoſitions of thy Lords Approche; and thinke what thoughts thou wilt then have of things. Remember, with what ſwift wings time poſteth away, and duplicate page duplicate page Eternitie haſtens towards thee. Make ſuch ſuppoſitions as theſe: What if this night I ſhould hear the midnight-crie, Behold, the bridegroom cometh? how am I prepared to meet my Lord? Can I look him with confidence in the face? Wil my ſoul then be able to paſſe the fiery trial, without being conſumed?
(5.) Do nothing, but what thou wouldeſt do, if the Lord were come. This wil give thee much confidence in looking for the coming of thy Lord. They, who meſure al their Actions by that day, wil not care how ſoon it come. Such as keep their ſpirits in an abſolute ſubmiſſion to the Divine wil, both as to doing and ſuffering, are in the fitteſt poſture to entertain their Lord. The reaſon why the moſt of men are ſo averſe from looking for, and haſtening unto the coming of the day of God, is the Irregularitie of their Actions, which they know wil not bear the trial, of that day.
(6.) Contend daily with invincible Reſolution, and violent efforts towards the coming of the Day of God. Go forward, in the ſtrength of the Lord, with invincible courage and vigorous activitie to meet your Lord: and remember, what difficulties you meet with in your way, wil be made up in the enjoyments that follow. Alas! what is it that keeps our ſouls at ſuch a diſtance from the coming of the Day of God, but the Formalitie and D…dneſſe of our Spirits in our race? Is the…e much deadneſſe in thine heart, whereby thou art hindred in thy race? And is there not much life in Chriſt to quicken thee? then adhere to him, draw from him of his fulneſſe Grace for Grace, that thou mayſt run with ſpeed, the race ſet before thee. Dread a loitering formal ſpirit as much as Hel.
(7.) Muſe and conſider much on the glorious effects, which follow the coming of the day of God. Remember that thy preſent thirſty deſires, wil then be turned into a love of Fruition and complacence. How ſoon wil the Saints preſent tears be changed into eternal joys? O! what an excellent thing is Heaven? Doth it not as much (or much more) excede our preſent apprehenſions, as our preſent apprehenſions excede our preſent enjoyments? What are al preſent enjoyments, whether ſpiritual or temporal, but ſhadows, in compariſon of thoſe celeſtial enjoyments? Yea, al we here enjoy is ſcarce a picture of that glorious ſtate. O! what a bleſſed day wil that be, when the Saints ſhal leave, though not their Natures, yet al their imperfections both natural and ſinful? When al their Spiritual Darkneſſes, Errors, and Douts, ſhal end in the beatific Viſion of God, as he is, face to face: When al their Rebellions of heart, ſhal end in a perfect conformitie and ſubjection to the Divine Wil: When al their unlawful paſſions and exorbitant Affections ſhal end in a regular harmonie and motion: when al their Deadneſſes in Duties, ſhal end in the moſt vigorous and lively exercices of al manner of Graces: When al their convulſions and terrors of Conſcience ſhal end in complete aſſurance of Gods Love: when al their Diſtances and Eſtrangements from God ſhal end in perfect Union and communion with God: When al their troubles, diſguſts, and diſſatisfactions in this world ſhal end in perfect Reſt and Satisfaction: O! what a glorious bleſſed Day wil this be? How would the ſerious and lively views hereof by faith fixe the heart, in looking for and haſtening to the coming of the Day of God?
(8.) Familiariſe thoughts of death unto thy ſoul; and never reſt ſatisfied, 'til thou haſt brought thine heart to a wel-grounded, chearful willingneſſe to be diſſolved. None look for and haſten to the coming of their Lord, ſo much as they who daily wait for their change. O! how welcome is death, when it comes, to thoſe, who daily look for it? Who live better lives, than they, who continually thinke of death? What more effectually engageth men to die unto althings of time, than daily expectations of Death? They who look for the dreadful hour of Death and Jugement, how much do they deſpiſe al the dreadful things of this life? Remember, that death comes not the ſooner for your expectation of it: But the more you look for it, the better prepared you wil be to entertain it, when it comes: You wil die out of choice, not merely from neceſſitie. I ſhal conclude with a great ſaying, of that holy man, Mr. John Rowe, (p. 124. of his life), when he drew near to death; why, ſaid he, ſhould we not be willing to die: Chriſt came from Heaven to Earth, to free us from ſin and miſerie, and why ſhould not we be willing, to go from Earth to Heaven, to be freed from ſin and miſerie?
FINIS.
Books Printed, and are to be ſold by John Hancock, Senior and Junior, at the firſt Shop in Popes-Head-Alley, at the three Bibles; Who ſells all ſorts of Divinity-Books, &c. to Chapmen, or others.
TWelve Books lately publiſhed by Mr. Thomas Brooks, late Preacher of the Goſpel at Magarets New Fiſh-ſtreet.
1. Precious Remedies againſt Satans devices; Or, Salve for Believers and Unbelievers ſores; being a companion for thoſe that are in Chriſt, or out of Chriſt, that ſlight or neglect Ordinances, under a pretence of living above them; that are growing in Spirituals, or decaving; that are tempted, or deſerted; afflicted, or oppoſed; that have aſſurance, or want it; on 2 Cor. 2.11.
2. Heaven on Earth; Or a ſerious Diſcourſe touching a well-grounded Aſſurance of mans everlaſting happineſſe and bleſſedneſſe; diſcovering the nature of aſſurance, the poſſibility of attaining it, the Cauſes, Springs and degrees of it, with the reſolution of ſeveral weighty Queſtions on the 8. of the Romans, 32, 33, 34, verſes.
3. The unſearchable Riches of Chriſt: Or Meat for ſtrong Men, and Milk for Babes, … two and twenty Sermons, from Epheſ.
End of the text · Theophilus Gale, Christs Coming and the Influence of its Expectation (1673)