Love to Christ, necessary to escape the curse at his coming

IX. Do you love Christ, and yet will not submit unto him in all his Offices? When you say you love Christ, whom do you mean? Or in what respect do you consider him? As a Priest only, that ⟨p. 140⟩died for your Sins? As a Jesus, to deliver you from Hell, to free you from the torments that your very Nature is against? Did you ever know a Drunkard, a Swearer, or the vilest-debauchedst Wretch, that hath heard of Hell and Christ, but was willing and desirous, on his own terms, but not on Christs, to be saved from the torments? And upon that account will you say, That this man continuing in his open Sins doth love Christ? But Christ in this one respect considered only, is not that Christ that is Preached, and offered to you in the Gospel, but also Christ as Prophet and King. Is this then your love to him, to divide him? Is this your love, to dethrone him from his Kingly Office? No, it is plain hatred to him. Luk. 19.14. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me.

X. Do you love Christ, and never care if he never come again? Nay, you could be glad you might never leave this World, if you might have your pleasures and enjoyments in it; but that Christ should come to you by Death, or at Judgment, you have no desire, but sorrow at the thoughts thereof. Doth that Woman love her Husband that is gone a Journey, and the tidings of his coming back is sorrowful News unto her? The loving of the coming of Christ, is a character of such as shall be crowned when he comes. 2 Tim. 4.8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but ⟨p. 141⟩