The brides longing for her bride-grooms second coming A sermon preached at the funeral…The brides longing for her bride-groomes second comming A sermon preached at the funerall…

Let us take all advantages, ¹to help us in this desire and prayer for the second coming of Christ, from all the crosses of this life, and from all the businesses of Satan. Satan was shut out of Paradise, but he is still creeping into the Paradise of the Church. But in Heaven, he shall never come. He was once there, and was cast down from thence, never to come there again. But in the Church he is always stirring. He is never so bound up, but he hath some mischief ⟨p. 93⟩to do. Now, let the consideration of Satan and his instruments, that are always some way or other molesting of the Church, and are as thorns in their sides, stir us up to desire the second coming of Christ. So, from all particular losses and crosses let us help our selves. If we have lost a friend, let us fill our hearts with comfort from the second coming of Christ; and from the consideration of that, that then the time will come, when all friends shall meet together. Do we leave any thing in this world behind us? we shall meet with better there; better friends, a better ⟨p. 94⟩place, better employment; all better. Therefore, let us take advantage from every thing, to help forward that desire. In a word, I beseech you (because there be many things that might be spoken to this purpose) let it be your main care, to fit your selves for that time. It is a time of longing here, while we live. It is the time between the Contract and the Marriage; let us labour to be fitted and prepared for that time.

Let us take all advantages, ¹to helpe us in this desire and prayer for the second comming of Christ, from all the crosses of this life, and from all the businesses of Satan. Satan was shut out of Paradise, but hee is still creeping into the Paradise of the Church. But in Heaven, hee shall never come. Hee was once there, and was cast downe from thence, never to come there againe. But in the Church hee is alwayes stirring. Hee is never so bound up, but hee hath some mischiefe ⟨p. 93⟩to doe. Now, let the consideration of Satan and his instruments, that are alwayes some way or other molesting of the Church, and are as thornes in their sides, stirre us up to desire the second comming of Christ. So, from all particular losses and crosses let us helpe our selves. If wee have lost a friend, let us fill our hearts with comfort from the second comming of Christ; and from the consideration of that, that then the time will come, when all friends shall meet together. Doe wee leave any thing in this world behind us? wee shall meet with better there; better friends, a better