A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

2. It bewrays it self by hearty Sighs, and Groanings, and Longings after this Happiness. Rom. 8.23. And not only they, but our selves also, who have the first Fruits of the Spirit, even we our selves groan within our selves, waiting for the Adoption, to wit, the Redemption of our Body. They that have once tasted of the Clusters of Canaan, that have the first Fruits of the Spirit, have tasted of the Goodness and Sweetness of God in Christ, think they can never be soon enough with him in Heaven; When shall it once be? They are still looking out; and the nearer they come to Enjoyment, the more impatient they are of the Want. As natural Motions are swiftest in the end; a Stone the nearer it is to the Centre, it moves the faster: so the longer a Christian lives in Christ, the more he sends forth his Desires and Heart after his Happiness, and therefore groans, waiting for the Revelation of the Sons of God, and for this blessed Hope. The Apostle says, The earnest Expectation of the Creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God, Rom. 8.19. The word [Greek or Hebrew] signifies a lifting up of the Head, as we are wont to put out our Head to see if we can spy a thing a great way off; as Judg. 5.28. Sisera's Mother and the Ladies looked out at the Window, and cried through the Lattice, Why is his Chariot so long in coming? as if they would spy him afar off: So the Soul is still looking out, When will the Change come? when will it once be? They would have a fuller Draught of the Consolations of the Spirit, more Freedom from Sin, and a more entire Love of God: they have had some Taste already, therefore they long for the increase and full perfection of it.

2. It bewrays it self by hearty Sighs, and Groanings, and Longings after this Happiness. Rom. 8.23. And not only they, but our selves also, who have the first Fruits of the Spirit, even we our selves groan within our selves, waiting for the Adoption, to wit, the Redemption of our Body. They that have once tasted of the Clusters of Canaan, that have the first Fruits of the Spirit, have tasted of the Goodness and Sweetness of God in Christ, think they can never be soon enough with him in Heaven; When shall it once be? They are still looking out; and the nearer they come to Enjoyment, the more impatient they are of the Want. As natural Motions are swiftest in the end; a Stone the nearer it is to the Center, it moves the faster: so the longer a Christian lives in Christ, the more he sends forth his Desires and Heart after his Happiness, and therefore groans, waiting for the Revelation of the Sons of God, and for this blessed Hope. The Apostle says, The earnest Expectation of the Creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God,