Lectures upon the three first chapters of the RevelationLectures vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation

Secondly, this word may serve to strike our hearts with a fear and reverence of Christ, when we consider that he shall come to judgement. So often as we consider of his coming, so often we should have our hearts lively touched with awe and reverence to him. We stand in awe and reverence to Magistrates, when we consider that they have authority to attach, apprehend, and to bring us to their Courts and assizes: how much more should this work an awe and reverence, when we consider that Christ Jesus shall come and apprehend, and attach each of us before his bar of judgement?

Secondly, this word may serue to strike our hearts with a feare and reuerence of Christ, when we consider that he shall come to iudgement. So often as we consider of his coming, so often we should haue our hearts liuely touched with awe and reuerence to him. We stand in awe and reuerence to Magistrates, when we consider that they haue authoritie to attach, apprehend, and to bring vs to their Courts and assizes: how much more should this worke an awe and reuerence, when we consider that Christ Iesus shall come and apprehend, and attach each of vs before his barre of iudgement?

Secondly, he propounds the coming of Christ himself, He comes: that is, Christ shall descend from the highest heaven in his manhood, to that place where the clouds be, to the earth locally. In that he saith not, shall come, but in the present time, he comes: first, he showeth it is a thing not far off, but present: secondly, that it is certain, even as though he now came: thirdly, he would have us consider of the coming of Christ, not as a thing to come far off, but present. This S. John learned, and so should we by his example learn, that it is present, and persuade our selves so: and therefore we should often think and consider of the coming of Christ, seeing it is of so great use. Hence then our duty is, to do that every day, which we would do in the day of judgement: seeing it is always present, we must do, think, and speak that which we would do that day. He which can do so, he is an happy man.

Secondly, he propounds the coming of Christ himselfe, He comes: that is, Christ shall descend from the highest heauen in his manhood, to that place where the cloudes be, to the earth locally. In that he saith not, shall come, but in the present time, he comes: first, he sheweth it is a thing not farre off, but present: secondly, that it is certain, euen as though he now came: thirdly, he wold haue vs consider of the coming of Christ, not as a thing to come farre off, but present. This S. Iohn learned, and so shold we by his example learne, that it is present, and perswade our selues so: and therefore we should often thinke and consider of the coming of Christ, seeing it is of so great vse. Hence then our dutie is, to do that euery day, which we would do in the day of iudgement: seeing it is alwaies present, we must do, think, and speake that which we would do that day. He which can do so, he is an happie man.