The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 10

The Parable of the Ten Virgins · Part 1 · Chapter 10

p. 88CHAP. X.

Shewing that True Believers do with hope expect the Second Coming of Christ.

SECT. I.

Now they go forth by

Hope Of Him and his Coming.

Desire Of Him and his Coming.

THat the Church and People of God after they are truly Espoused to Christ, Observ. 2.and made in any measure ready for Christ, they now are no more of this world, but look out of it, and verily expect the Second Coming, and Glorious Appearing of Christ.

'Tis true, they look for his coming and company at the last period of their life, but this they look upon but as their welcome in the way, until the last Trump shall blow, and that they shall meet the Lord in the clouds of the Aire, 1 Thes. 4. 18. which is the last and chief time of his Coming they look out for. The Five Wise Virgins did here verily look for him; the Five Foolish seemingly did so too: That look as it was before the first Coming of Christ, all their thoughts and searchings of heart were after the day, and time, and glory of it, 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11. And the nearer His Coming was, the more ardently was he expected: Hence such flocking to Iohns Ministry. Hence Simeon waited long for the consolation of Israel. So the Espoused and Beloved of the Lord looks out for his coming now. He hath left them as Orphans in this world, he hath divers of his Elect yet to bring p. 89home, and enemies to put under his feet, and then they know he will come, and this day they look for. As Christ expects it, Heb. 10. 13. By the same Spirit they look for it.

This is that which Christ so oft presseth on his Disciples, foreseeing the slumbers of the world, to be ever watching for his second coming; and hence these alone are accounted blessed, Luke 12. 37, 38. That let Christ come at any watch, Oh blessed. The duration of the world from the first to the second coming, is but as it were a night divided into several watches; the Saints are the watchmen of the world, who you know look for day-light, though it be long, 'tis but a night; it will be morning: All the rest are like birds at their chaffe. And hence he tells them the reason of the uncertainty of his coming, makes this the end of it. They are Evangelical commands with which there goes a power. Look through all the Primitive Church in the Golden Age, they had all this stamp, 1 Cor. 1. 7. Waiting. 1 Thes. 1. 10. To wait for Christ from Heaven. Nay, Heb. 9. 28. He professeth those only may know the fruit of his first coming, that now look for him.

SECT. II.

1 BEcause they really foresee, and see such a day, 2 Pet. 3. 3, 4.Reas. 1. In the last days shall come Scoffers, saying, where is the promise of his coming? all things are as they were, and hence live in their lusts, die in their own dung, and never look for it. But these foresee it really, and hence look for it. Men that live on land, and love the smoak of their own chimneys, never look out to other coasts and countreys, or to a strange Land, but Sea-men that are bound for a Voyage, and have a Pilot with them that hath seen the coast, that's it they look for; so men that live in this world, and are well here, look not after Christ not his coming, but they that have a Pilot, a Spirit to shew them, this day, this coast, and are bound for another world, they look out for this; they see it two waies

1. By the eye of Faith in the promise, 2 Pet. 3. 13. And this makes the soul see it, when all things seem to be against it, and hence expects it; for that is the difference between Faith and hope: Faith closeth with Christ, and all the Glory of Christ, in the promises as present, hope hence steps forth and laies hold upon the performance it self as absent. Faith entertains the promise as a faithful messenger, and sees that his message is true. Hope runs out of doors and leaves it with Faith, and looks for the Lord himself, Heb. 11. 1.

2. By the Light of Glory in the thing it self; for Saints do not only see things in Letters and Syllables, and words, but see things as they are in themselves. The wicked see the word, sin, and Christ, and Heaven (and in seeing see not) but not the things themselves. Now the Glorious coming of Christ being a thing to come, yet to be done, how do they see it but by report? Yes, they have the Spirit of Glory, which Spirit shews them things to come, John 16. 13. Which eye hath not seen. That look as their Head Christ sees this day as it shall be, and his apprehensions are not false, but as he conceives of this day, so shall it be: so the Saints by the same Spirit see it before it comes, and are not mistaken about it, though it be very darkly, yet sometimes when the Spirit of God is not overclouded, they see it more evidently. For this is the great plague of the wicked, they see nothing as 'tis, and in Hell they see how they have been deceived. So this is the happinesse of Saints, that though they see things darkly, yet they see things truly, the Spirit creating glorious impressions on the …ind of things as they are. They know things that the eye sees not, as they are. That look as Abraham John 8. 56. saw Christs day, and was glad, though afar off; so the Saints by the same Spirit. Now why did Noah make his Ark, and look for a Flood? Because he saw it really. p. 90Did not others? No, 'tis said, They knew not, Mat. 24. 38, 39. Never knew till the Floud came: The Lord made it not known. Noah did, the other did not. Hence the Saints cannot but look for it.

2. Because they see nothing else in this world worth looking after,Reas. 2. no, not for the present. For if a man sees the day of the Lord, yet hath some prey in his eye, in this world, and his game before him, he will follow his hunting to catch his venison, though he comes too late for the blessing. But the Lord makes his people to see nothing in the world worth the hawking or catching.

1. They see the Glory of another day, another world, and this puts out the Glory of this, and hence makes them look for that; and hence when Christ would comfort his Disciples, he promiseth nothing here, but tels them, In my Fathers House are many Mansions. I go to prepare a place, and Il… come to you again, Iohn 14. 1, 2, 3. And hence they seeing this to be enough, look for this.

2. They see an end of all these things, of all the Glory of them, and that these summer swallows will take their wings, and fly away in greatest extremities. Hence they look to eternal things, the Lord, and his coming, 2 Cor. 4. 18. We look not at temporal things.

3. They find the Lord crossing them of what they look for in this world, somtimes of outward comforts, somtimes of the performance of spiritual promises, And when God thus hedgeth their way with thorns, then they think of their first Husband. Look as it was with Abraham, Heb. 11. 13. You know strangers when their way is uncomfortable, ever and anon look for their home. Abraham was heir of the world, yet he sojourns as a stranger in it, in Tents, because he looks for a City, v. 10. So here, Saints the heirs of all creatures, yet the Lord makes them strangers here, and hence they look for somthing else. The things God hath promised to his people are very great, but not accomplished. Why? Because full accomplishment is left till the last day, that hope may wait, and that we may live by Faith. God hath promised to take away all tears, Oh welcome that day! This world cannot do it, and the Lord here will not, 1 Cor. 15. 19. If our hope were only here, we were … mis…r…ble.

3. Because they see and are sensible of their deliverance from wrath to come:Reas. 3. There hath been much wrath in the world seen, but yet the great wrath is to come, what that is they see. What their escape from it is they see. Hence they look for Christ, when he shall appear like the rising Sun, and like a Bride-groom from his chamber to comfort them, 1 Thes. 1. 10. For the Devils look for this day, and natural men, but seeing wrath, wish themselves under rocks and mountains, and seek to smother it: But Saints seeing themselves delivered, hence calmly look for it. The sense of this love makes them say, Oh when will he come, that I may see him with these eyes! They fear not (for why should they) the terrour of this day.

4. Because the Lord hath given unto them the first-fruits of Glory,Reas. 4. and of that day of Glory, hence they look and wait for it. You know the first fruits were part of the whole vintage, hence they gave thanks for all, because they then looked for all, Exod. 23. Rom. 8. 23. We having the first-fruits of the Spirit, wait for the …. That look as 'tis with the wicked, that have rejected Christ, and counted his Blood … common thing, and done despite to Gods Spirit, there remains nothing … for of vengeance, so here è contra. Rom. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Being … by Faith, now 1. Peace with God. 2. Accesse by Christ to God. 3. Standing in that Grace. 4. Shedding of love, hence not only hope, but Glory in hope of the Glory of God. There is none espoused to Christ, but tast this love, feel the warmth of his fellowship, feel the abundance of his love, but 'tis but in a little measure, in the first-fruits, hence they look for and expect the rest p. 91at his coming. They are somtime full of fears, what if shut out at last? But when they feel the first-fruits of Glory at that day, now they verily look for his coming. Christ dies we know, but it was not possible for him to be held long, and hence rose again, and then looked for Glory, and then was taken up to Glory: So here, the Saints lie dead in the grave of sins and fears, but its not possible for them ever to be held here; hence when risen with Christ, they look upon things above, and are waiting for Glory, and at last are taken to Glory with himself. That look as Iacob, Gen. 49. 18. said, My soul waiteth for thy salvation, when the stakes and pins of this fleshly Tabernacle are loosing, and so the Lord is loosing him from the excellency of this world; though he minds other things, yet he recalls himself, My soul waiteth for thy salvation Oh Lord.

SECT. III.

HEnce let all flesh take notice that there is such a time,Use. 1. and day, and coming of the Lord Jesus. This was the Apostles Argument to prove a resurrection, Christ is risen, and to prove this, and so the resurrection from the dead at Christs coming, else is your Faith vain, i. e. Expectation of him vain, 1 Cor. 15. 14, & 17. Men think it easie to believe a resurrection, and a second coming of Christ for that end; but an hoverly sleight work is quickly done, and an hoverly Faith is quickly wrought. But when a man comes to look considerately, Is there such a day indeed? Is there one now in the third Heavens that will fire this whole world, and gather his Saints to his Glory? Now its very hard. Its usual with Satan to pierce with extremities, that when they do begin indeed to close with Christ, and receive comfort from him, to smite them with thoughts: Is there a Christ, and is there such a time of coming? Now of all the Arguments to convince and perswade, me-thinks none like this, viz. That there be a Generation of men in the world, that verily look for this day and see it, and have the first-fruits and beginnings of it already in their souls. A number of people that once never minded it, heard of it, but looked not for it, now to see it; flesh and blood could not, Satan would not reveal it, hence God that cannot lie, hath shewn it unto them, so as they are in a manner eye-witnesses of it. Men will believe eye-witnesses of any thing, especially if many. Such are the espoused of the Lord in all ages. The things which we have heard and seen we speak.Object.

But may they not be deceived,Answ. and conceit that which is not?

True, but Divine revelation of any Truth that cannot deceive, for that is no fancy of the head, nor delusion of Satan. Now this is a secret the Spirit makes known.

1. In that it fils the mind and feeds the heart with it, that it carries unto God with wonderment of blessing him that ever he saw this. Fancies cannot feed, especially in greatest agonies: Now they chuse misery on this ground, rather than present peace here, Heb. 11. 35. Not accepting deliverance.

2. In that it works effects crosse to Nature, nay to all a mans lusts in them. Noah foresaw a Flood nigh, but he might be deceived. No, 'tis said he feared, kept close to God and it came, so here.

3. This Light whereby they see, it is not only sweet and Glorious, and cross to heart and lusts, but its sudden, that as with Paul, when going to persecute, suddenly there fell a great Light, and so he saw Christ. So when a man goes on in his sin, and suddenly the Lord reveals this and that by a word (else 'tis a deceit) which all Angels could not do before, so as to see it, and that none can reveal it as he sees it, especially to bring this light out of darknesse, this must be miraculous power, and no dream. But what do I speak of seeing? they feel the beginnings of it in the first-fruits of it.

p. 92For two great things shall be at that day.

First, Then all the Elect shall have their fill of love.

Secondly, Triumph in Christ when in the clouds with him. Have they not the first here? Rom. 5. 5. The feeling of which love cannot be a Fancy, fo… it cannot conceive of it nor hold it. This is an infinite love, and that in the midst of the sence of sin and death. That many times they are even fain to say, Lord hold. 2. Triumph, Rom. 5. 3. and that in afflictions, which make them by experience so to feel God in par…, that they triumph for time to come. 'Tis …rue at times they look down the Tower, and so tremble, but while they look up here, then they triumph, having accesse to the Grace wherein they stand, So then look for it, there shall be such a day, and such a coming of Christ, Rev. 1. 7. The Father hath exal…ed the Son to inesfable Glory. But Lord! Who sees him as these, in his Glory, or to come forth out of his Glory? 'Tis but Table-talk. But behold he comes, and every eye shall see him. The Lord pities you, and holds out bowels of love, and Faith; Oh receive me, Oh cast away those bloody knive… that have pierced me; and sends his good Spirit like his hand to draw you. But Oh do you not kick his bowels, do you not pierce his hands and feet daily? And when you have done no tears! But he cometh, and you that pierce him shall see him, &c. Consider of it therefore you that doubt of this, you that think not of this, and hence live and lie in your lusts, and despise him. Behold he cometh!

SECT. IV.

HEnce behold the happinesse of all them that be espoused to the Lord Jesus,Use 2. in that their hopes are laid up in another world, at the day of the coming of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor. 15. 19. If we had hope only in this life, we were of all men most miserable. Because none so foolish, or so sensible of misery as they, but our hopes stretch to another life, to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Suppose a man had all the Crowns of the world cast at his feet, but at last to be dragged before the judgment-seat of Christ, and there to stand quaking, What should he be the better? What though Saints have all the miseries in this world, but at last with these eyes they shall see the Lord, and stand triumphing before him, and have a real sight and certain expectation of this. What people in the world so great as these?

What do they wait and expect for?Quest.

Great things which may astonish the whole Creation.Answ.

1. They look for him to change their vile bodies, that this their Husband at the marriage day should take away these rags, & make them like unto his Glorious body, brighter than the Sun;This was preached about the time o… the Pequot wars. so that burn them, cut them to peices, (as some by the Indians have been, Lord help!) they see Christ loves both, and hence holds sword and soul in one hand, and scabberd in another, &c.

2. They expect he should take away all their sins, and make them like unto himself, engrave on their souls perfectly his own Image, that their enemies they feel now, they look they shall never see them more. 1 Iohn 3. 2. And as no evil like it, no mercy like this; and no evil to Saints like this, that yet they should grieve the heart of such a Husband.

3. They look he should take away all sorrows and tears from them, for this the Lord promiseth, and begins to execute now, but it shall be perfected then, Isa. 25. 8, 9. And hence called the times of refreshing, Acts 3. 19, 20. 'Tis true the Spouse and Church is now sorrowful to the very heart many times, but there is a time coming that they shall never sorrow more.

4. They look he should take away all shame from them. For no people in the world loaden with more calumnies and reproaches by the wicked and by hypocrites, p. 93and hard speeches from the Godly, and they doubt whether they be Sons or no. Now then the whole world shall see they are Sons, and shall stand amazed at them, and shall not doubt of it, nor themselves, fo… the Lord shall proclaim it, and they shall hear, these are my Jewels. And this they look for, 1 Iohn 3. 1, 2.

5. They then look for recompence to all their labour of love to him and his. Hence 1 Cor. 15. 58. Knowing your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Hence the Apostle oft defers men for that recompence till now. The Lord shew mercy to the House of Onesephorus in that day, 2 Tim. 1. 18. So that some Hereticks have thought souls sleep till then. They may pray and no answer, seek to do good, and do none. Oh but the Lord will recompence then abundantly.

6. They look then to be ever with the Lord, 1 Thes. 4. 17. Never to be parted from him, never to live without him, nay never to go away from under his wing, out of his bleeding bosom of love and endlesse and unspeakable compassions any more: And being with him to see his Glory, and never see the depth of it, and to have the Lord to serve them, Luke 12. 37, 38. and giving whatever they call for, and all this when thousand thousands shall at this time be crying for a drop of water, and cannot get it. Now all this they look for, and more too: Which is, 1. Certain. For hope maketh not ashamed. 2. Which fills their hearts with Glory, and unspeakable Glory too: for it makes it so clear and certain, that they have it all already, for though absent, hope makes it as present, Rom. 8. 24. He doth not say we shall be, but we are saved by hope. Faith takes hold on the beginning, hope on the end. Oh the heavy wrath of God upon a world of poor, blind, ignorant men that have no hope, no hope of Christ, no hope of Glory, unlesse a flattering, dead hope. What a sad thing is it to think of a number of men that are buried in the world, and never to awaken until they see Christ in the clouds of Heaven, coming to be revenged on them. Oh me-thinks I see them falling down before the Judgment-fea…, and crying out, Oh that we had known of this day! Oh alas that I had hope, but not such an hope, but am now deceived. Oh 'tis otherwise with Saints, they shall find what they hoped for, and infinitely more. What hurt can any do them? Let all the world come against them, their husband will come, and will kick them under his feet. Let them load them with reproaches, fill their hearts with sorrows, and their eyes with tears, their Lords coming will comfort them. Let Satan tempt, and a Father hide his face, behold the Lord cometh, that shall deliver and redeem them! Oh see their blessednesse, and let it draw you to make up the match with Christ, that never did it yet! He hath bin wooing of you, longing for you, and you wooing of him again, Lord take me! What hinders you then from striking the match, and concluding it? To give thy self this day to him, and take him only, rejoyce in him only, when nothing thou dost can be so pleasing to him. And now you may look and believe what one day you shall to your comfort feel. And account your selves most wretched creatures until the Lord be pleased to espouse you to himself.

SECT. V.

OR hence learn what to judge of those that never look for the coming and company of the Lord Jesus,Use 3. Of Exam. but 'tis with them, as it was with the Israelites, when Moses was gone into the Mount, and stayed there long, the people made their Calf, and went to their feasting and rejoycing: So the Lord Jesus being gone for the Spirit of life, and to prepare a place of Glory, it being now long since, they make Idols of their Jewels, and of their own excellencies, and of whatsoever is glorious in their eyes in this world. Or as Christ compares the secure p. 94world, as it was in the daies of Noah, so shall it be, or as in the daies of Lot, when they never knew nor look't for it, though told of it; so 'tis with them. Do you think these are espoused to Christ? or made ready for Christ? whose glorious appearing is never, or seldom, or the least thing in their thoughts, and are far from seeing and setting it before their eyes.

Now because if you ask most men, Do you look for such a time to see the world consumed, and the Lord revealed, and your Glory with him? Every one will say, yes, because indeed they have a dead hope. I shall therefore give discoveries of it.

1. Those whose hearts prize (though their heads do not)Sign 1. and whose eyes are dazeled with the withering Glory of this world. When men lie under (not for a fit, for Christ's Disciples wondred at the Beauty of the Temple) a g…eat mistake of all things here, and put that good in them which is not, and that worth upon them which they ought not. For he on whose eyes the Sun of Glory hath risen, and looks for the Glory which shall be revealed; looks upon a Dunghill world as strangers upon their Inne, and as Travellers do on their Tents, make a shift to rub it out there for a time, but Oh home. Oh that Glory that shall be revealed, Heb. 11. 13. They were strangers, because they looked for a City: Nay they look upon these things, as God and Christ judge of them (for they have Christ's mind) 1 Cor. 2. 15. Which stand for Cyphers in the Lords Book: Nay they look upon the very miseries of this world for Christ, greater treasures than the happinesse of it, and hence chuse it and account their scars their Crown, their shame their Glory, their losses their gain, their sorrows their joys, as Heb. 11. 25, 26. Moses chose to suffer, and esteemed Christs reproach his Glory. And why? He had an eye to the recompence of reward, and saw the God invisible. And 2 Cor. 4. 17. It works an exceeding weight of Glory. That look as 'tis with a man that is born to great hopes of a Crown and Kingdom, and therefore brought up not in the Countrey, but in the Court; let a poor man offer him his thatcht house, and promise him if he will come and live with him, and serve him in his patcht cloaths, What will he say? No, be gone to your friends, I am a greater man than you can make me, so here; A man that is born and begotten to a lively hope of a Crown now by the resurrection of Christ, and brought up under the wings and care of Christ, to the hopes of a better world, offer never so much, promise never so fair, I am greater than all the world can make me, I must not have, if I love Christ, and I cannot have, if he loves me, both; and hence looks to honour then, and peace and glory then, Col. 3. 1, 2, 3. Its clear then thou lookest upon the things of the world as great things; Oh to have such honour, such an estate, so many Cowes and Goats, so much ground paled in, so many ploughs, lands and oxen fit to labour, so much gain to come in every year, and such parts, & gifts and duties to get me a name, to live before the best men, and to be good signs (to comfort me) of the favour of God: This is a goodly thing, the very hopes heat and warm the heart.

1. If you do not find pangs in parting with a friend, a bosom-blessing so dear, you are not dead yet to it, nor risen to a lively hope of better things.

2. He that doth not prize the evils of the world, more than the good in it, his eyes are dazeled with it: If the life of the world be not death to thee, the comfort of the world sorrow to thee, Oh they draw thy heart from God: Hence called lying vanities. Look as 'tis with a King or Master that gives Talents to use, they cast them by, and fish for themselves, they look not for the coming of their Masters: So the Lord gives you his Ordinances, and Word to use for him, and you scramble for your selves, to enrich, and honour, and comfort your selves, you look not for the Lord. Factors that go far for wealth, they will not bring home stones and rubbish, which they know will not go in their own Countrey, hence other things that are of more price he spends his time for: So here. What p. 95do you do? You that eat the bread of carefulnesse, sell your commodities dear, and set your buyers on Tainter-hooks? I look to be rich. You that can speak well, and have parts, and professe fairly; but go into your Closets, God is neglected in your hearts, your constant union to Christ, dependance on Christ, approving your selves to Christ, is not maintained. I would fain be honoured. You are come far from your own Countrey: Why did you depart thence? To be free from trouble. And now here, what stay you for? Oh for ease. Will these Coynes go, and be taken at the last day? No, you look not for that.

II. They that say they look for Christ,Sign 2. but do not rejoyce abundantly in hope of this time. Sometimes the hopes of Gods people begin to die, and then comfortlesse, but when their hopes are up, and stirring, and not wounded by some sin or sleeping, there is a double joy that now they have.

1. This alone comforts them and fils them, Iohn 14. 1, 2, 3. So that they wonder at God, though they have never so little here, to have these blessings now, and everlasting Glory, endlesse compassions and mercy at that day, Iohn 16. 22.

2. This joy is Glorious joy, highest comfort, Rom. 5. 3. We Glory in hope of the glory of God. Disgraced, but then honoured; hated of men, but then loved of Christ; poor, but then enriched; miserable, but then blessed; empty, but then filled; fatherlesse, friendlesse, but then glorified. Oh I tell you miseries thus considered, are sweet! Can it be otherwise? Now you say you hope and look for this day. Where is your comfort of it? Where is your glory in it? Acts 1. 11, 12. Compared with Luke 24. 52. So thou wilt be in the Temple, nay in the fields rejoycing and blessing the Lord, that ever he should intend to set thee at his right hand, at that great day of his coming. No man but hath something to joy his heart. Is it Corn, and wine and Oyl, and not the Light of Gods countenance at this day? Its a sign they never look for it. Do the world rejoyce in their hopes, and not Saints?

III. They that content themselves with any measure of holinesse and Grace; they look not for Christs coming and company. For Saints that do look for him,Sign 3. though they have not that Holinesse and Grace they would have, yet they rest not satisfied with any measure, 1 John 3. 3. He that hath this hope purifieth himself as he is pure. Christ finds us not lovely, but makes us lovely, by putting on his own garments, imprinting his own Image. Hence Saints content not themselves with any dressings, till made glorious, and so fit for fellowship with that Spouse. And when the Soul sees this Love to be a Son, and then to be proclaimed Heir, Oh this makes them set Christ himself as the pattern to walk by. Now therefore,

1. When men shall think this way is bad, & another way of some Saints is good, and so take a Copy of his course from them, and now is well, this only is to be pure as man is pure.

2. When a man leaves not till he gets such a measure of Faith and Grace, and now when he hath got this, contents himself with this as a good sign he shall be saved, he looks not for Christ. Or

3. When men are heavily loaden with sin, then close with Christ, and then are comforted, sealed, and have joy that fils them, and now the work is done, and they are past Grace, and past Repentance, and daily cleansing, now they study not what to do for Christ, that neither Family no… Church where they live, are the better for them.

4. When men shall not content themselves with any measure, but wish they had more, if Grace would grow, while they tell Clocks, and sit idle, and so God must do all, but do not purge themselves, and make work of it (Indeed Saints purge not themselves of themselves, for dirty hands will never wash a foul face) but by a daily dependance on, and importunity of Faith sigh after the Lord p. 96to do it; verily if not thus, you look not for Christ, 2 Pet. 3. 11, 12, 14. For if you did, you would say and think, if to be like him be my Glory, Oh then that I might then have it now. Sons that are born to their hopes in the Court, will go in the Court-fashion: Beggars that are born and brought up under hedges, content themselves with their rags, so here: Lord where is this Spirit? especially even among us. There is scarce any but either would be honest, and then hopes God accepts of his will, or will be so, & then 'tis only so much as will credit or comfort him. Lord where is the man that mourns for this, how far short he falls of Christ, of Christs thoughts, Christs prayers, Christs speeches, Christs meekness, but only patches up his comforts with some ends of Gold and Silver, and shreds of Honesty: He hath heard others teach and preach, and gets some shreds of knowledge, thence he sees what others are, and do, and gets somewhat to be like them. Have we not cryed out, men are too good to be better in our own Land? And unlesse a few under Affliction or Temptation, who is? I pray God such a race come not over hither, where God looks you should get a higher pitch; put off your wildernesse-shoes, get those sins removed that provoked God there; or else besides the misery of a heart-brand upon thee, thou dost not look for Christ, and therefore art either not espoused, or asleep; and shalt if not by the Word, by the terrour of God be dreadfully awakened. Oh New-England, New-England, that art now making a conquest of the world, and seekest for the spoyl of it to enrich thy self, to recover thy losses, and therefore makest a truce with thy distempers for a time, and dost not purge thy self as Christ is pure, I dare not yet tell thee what Christ Jesus hath to say unto thee! Therefore think of this, if not thus, you have no hope, 'tis but talk and notion in thy head. And you that do not, he shall come in a time when thou lookest not for him: And hast not so much Grace as the five foolish Virgins had? This is the frame of men and Professors, what are they? They were troubled, humiliation is past, they have looked for salvation by Christ, that is past; they have been comforted, that is past; What Holinesse? They will pray in Families, keep company with Saints, get into Christ, receive Sacraments, that is past. What lack they yet? Many wants, but God accepts their desires for what they want, and that is their Circle of Honesty now, and there rest. Is it not thus? Is this to purge like Christ? If any have more, Oh wonder at the Lord for it. But if not, Oh thy doom!

SECT. VI.

OH you espoused and beloved of the Lord,Use 4. look for his coming, look for his company; the world looks not for him, because they care not for him. Will you also depart? Hath he called thee as a Virgin forsaken, and not comforted, as a wife of youth, and given himself to thee, and given thee a heart to give content to him, and thy self to him in lieu of his love, life and all, if it might do him any good? Oh are you born to so great hopes, and are they not worth the looking af…ter? God forbid. Do this therefore especially in these five Cases.

1. In case of strangenesse felt between thy soul and Christ: It may be thou thinkest, Oh he that hath saved, preserved me, called me, when I never lookt after him, redeemed me when a captive, every moment pardons me, a daily friend unto me, that hath given me Ordinances, given me the comfort of them: But Oh yet to be a stranger to him, this cuts: Oh look now for this time, 1 Th. 4. 17, 18. When thou shalt see that bleeding heart, that hath loved thee above all Princes and Angels; that body in the Glory of the Father, and be as familiar with him as thou art with any friend, and see his Glory, and the Father in him, and know as thou art known. Oh look for this, for it shall be so.

p. 972. In case Gods promises are not made good to thee. For at that instant a man beleeves he gives Christ and all things, all Grace, all consolation, all Glory, but 'tis in the promise, because he would have them live by Faith a while here, as by sence in Heaven; and being wrapt up in the promise, they feel it not, only plead with God: Hast not said Lord, thou wilt subdue iniquities, purge me as Gold is tried? Why then do I go childlesse, gracelesse? No more Grace, no more Spirit, no better heart for thee! Oh now the heart calls in question Gods promise or sinks! Oh now remember this day, for the perfect restitution of all things, perfect accomplishment of all promises is reserved for this time, Isa. 25. 9. Thou prayest for many things, but they come not; Christ reserves the payment till this day. What a comfort is this? What a sweet speech was it of Ioshua, Josh. 23. 14. One thing hath not failed, when he had conquered the Land. So then when the conquest is made, to see all the promises made good to thee.

3. In case of Gods absence or withdrawing, or when thou feelest but little of his presence here in his Providences or in his Ordinances, private, publick, and that in New-England too. Thou hast found one half hours time with the Lord, alone, sweeter and better than a thousand worlds. Oh but this holds not! Thou maist it may be wait on the Lord in his Ordinances, and go away with a sad heart, Oh I cannot see him, and canst not find out the cause why so heavy, and vile, and so loathest thy self, Oh now think of this day, 1 Cor. 15. 28. Then God shall be all in all, then thou shalt have thy fill of love, and fill of God.

4. In case of sorrow for the uproar of the world against God and Christ, and the wrongs done to Christ and his people; to see Christ crucified, and crying spare my life, and saying, If you seek me, let these little ones depart, yet they are abused, and every one against Christ, as this day the world is coming to the last fit of madnesse against the Lord of Glory. Oh now, remember and look for this day, 1 Cor. 15. 25. He must reign. Lord what a comfort will it be to see Christ King then? Men come to see him King here, but Oh what will it be when he shall come himself? To see all secrets open, and the Lord glorified in himself and people, of all creatures. Look for this, to see the great and last plot of God brought to perfection. Oh think that is our day, that is our victory!

5. When you come to die, and to think of leaving thy carcase to rot in the dust a long time; Oh think and look upon this day! They that hear shall live. Why do I die? John 5. 28, 29. They shall then come out of their graves, &c. Thus look for this.

Motives.

1. All creatures look for this in a manner, Rom. 8. 22, 23. Nay Christ and Saints in Heaven look for this day, Heb. 10. 13. From thence expecting till his enemies, &c. Nay Devils look for it, but tremble: Only a secure world rockt asleep to their eternal wo, look not for it.

2. This will help you to ride all storms, bear all knocks chearfully. Our Hope is our Helmet. Our Hope is our Anchor, Heb. 6. 19. Eph. 6. 17. You will meet with them here it may be before you die.

3. The Lord hath called you out of this world, he might have left you in it, and given you your hope, your portion here, and then wo to thee, but he hath called thee to this hope, that if Princes of the world knew, they would lay down, nay cast away their Crowns at thy feet for it, and say, Oh that I were in that mans case! Eph. 1. 18. Hope of his calling.

4. Hope and expectation of all other things shall fail, if God loves thee, he will make you know what 'tis to forsake your portion. If not, they shall fail you when you die, this shall not; it makes not ashamed.

5. Me-thinks this is the Glory of a Christian, that he turns his back upon the world, and lives and waits for the coming of the Lord.

6. Oh this will give Christs heart full content, when he shall come, Luke 12. 37. p. 98He will make thee sit down to eat, and serve thee. The Lord Jesus himself shall only then poure out to thee and give thee whatever thou callest for, honour thee as it were above himself. When thou art at rest in Heaven, he will be at work for thee.

7. If not, he may come in an hour thou lookest not for him. Christ may say to thee, from henceforth sleep on.

What Means are there to make me look for him?Quest.

1. Get some promise that thou maist beleeve the Lord is thine,Answ. else thou wilt never look for him; or if you do, you will be deceived, for hope is of things not seen. Nay, commonly when the Lord brings any man to his hopes, having given him a promise, and Faith to beleive it, the Lord in the mid-way seems to cross his promise. When the Lord promiseth life, glory, peace, honour, joy, fulness, Heaven, they shall then and never so much before feel darkness, death, shame, trouble, sorrow, Hell. For the Lord tries them by this, and tribulation breeds experience, and experience hope. Hence you must first get a promise of Christ and Glory, before you can hope for it, or expect Glory, and then you may, Heb. 6. 18. For the promise will support hope, when heart, and strength and all shall fail: Nay it will expect contraries out of contraries, Gen. 22. 5. I'le come again to you. Compared with Heb. 11. 18, 19. So that soul that hath a promise, may say when he considers Gods power, and what Glory he gives to God by beleeving it, God hath said he will comfort me, he will cleanse me, he will give me Glory, I will have all these out of my sorrow, my sin, my Hell.

Take heed therefore of two extreams.

First, Of hoping without a promise, for that is but Faith scared out of its wits, when it comes to be examined; I hope so, and I have had joy and perswasion of it.

Secondly, Of not expecting when God gives a promise. Can you live one day without it? It may be you have no feeling yet! But Isa. 25. 8, 9, 10. Dost wait for the Lord? i. e. From a sense of emptinesse, for all fulnesse thou shalt find it in part here, and fully then, and say, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him! When a mans anchor is strong, and in good ground, he will look for safety, when at anchor in the Harbour. Oh thou afflicted, tossed with tempests, the Lord hath brought thee at last to Christ, after many drivings to and fro, and it clasps about him according to a promise; if God changeth then thy comfort may not be. If revelations come, I know they may deceive, but a promise cannot.

2. Fear the terrour of the Lord at this day, fear parting from him: I speak not of doubting, but the holy fear of Saints, for that is the nature of fear, it makes a man eye the thing feared: As Iacob when Esau was meeting of him. Noah he fears and looks to safety in and by an Arke, Heb. 11. 7. Lots children took not his counsel, they feared not, but he seemed as one that mocked to them. Paul 2 Cor. 5. 10, 11. knew the terrour of the Lord, hence looked for him, sought to approve himself unto him. Men that fear not parting with Christ, will never look nor care for him. And let it be a strong fear, else it will never carry you above your cares and surfettings of the world.

How shall I fear thus?Quest.

1. Unlesse the Lord put it into your heart,Answ. none can; for the security of the world is not sleepy, but deadly: Men are bound up as strong as with chains of death; that till they feel the misery, they cannot fear it strongly. Oh look up to the Lord to unchain those chains of death.

2. Know the happinesse of them that shall ever be with Christ, what is the sweetnesse of Christs love, and worth of it. Imagine the last day come, and all the dead raised, Christ with flaming fire, all the wicked on the left hand, and then sent away with depart ye cursed; all the Saints on the right hand, and then p. 99Oh come! and when all is dispatched, then to go up to Heaven, and when gone, there to be for ever rejoycing, triumphing in the presence of God Almighty; and now what it will be to be far off from Christ, weeping, never to be pitied more. Oh he that was so full of pity, no heart then to pity, no hand to help! I can but only paint this fire. Oh that the Lord would help you here, that so you might look out for him. Saylors sleep in calms, and so it may be have many here in this place of rest. Others of you take heed, Ile tell you your bar, It may be most estates are brought low and sunk; when you see that, now you either look back, or look for Lots accomodations, and such an estate as is lost, it may be you will spy some hope of it, and then follow the game, and never look out till you die. The Lord keep you from it! You then will not look up for Christs coming at the last day, or in his Ordinances; here: If thou dost so, had it not been better thou hadst been buried in the Sea, or left in sorrow on the Shore? Oh take heed therefore, look for the coming and company of Christ, and let this be enough, and because you cannot look for him in the the clouds now, Oh look and wait for him in his Ordinances; and consider if espoused ones look for his coming then, and for perfect knowledge of him, and communion with him, then think, Lord what a heart have I that look not for him here! But Lord who will believe our report?

Thus they went out by hope and expectation of his coming▪ Now the Second thing follows, they went forth with longing desires after his coming.