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

4. Why the Saints look for Christ's Appearing, is the Profit of this Expectation which they shall receive; partly as it engageth to a heavenly Conversation, Phil. 3.20. Our Conversation is in Heaven, from whence we look for a Saviour. Where should we converse most, but where Christ is? Now where is Christ but in Heaven? and therefore our Minds should be ever running upon it, our Eyes ever looking that way, and our Hearts ever longing for him. Partly as it engageth us to Faithfulness in our Relations: there is a Day coming when we shall give an account for the Duties of our Relations, because that is the particular Sphere of our Activity. 2 Tim. 4.1. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus, who shall judg the Quick and the Dead at his Appearing, and his Kingdom. Paul there presseth Timothy to discharge the Duty of a Minister, and so for a Master of a Family, and for a Servant. Your Relations are not things of chance, but they fall under the special Care of God's Providence, and therefore you must be accountable for them: here God hath confined you by the Wisdom of his Providence to serve the great Ends of your Creation; therefore whatever is omitted, you are to give an account of your Relations; Magistrates, Ministers, Masters, Servants, all of their several Relations. Partly, as it calms the Heart against the Injuries and Molestations of the present Life: 1 Pet. 2.23. our Lord Christ when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judged righteously: So you must learn of him, when you meet with Trouble, and hard Usage, and unworthy dealing in the World, commit your selves to God; the Judg is at the Door, and he will review all things again. Look as Paschalus, a Minister of the Albigenses, when he was burnt at Rome, cited the Pope and his Cardinals before the Tribunal of the Lamb; thus do you. Partly, as it engages to Perseverance. If a Man hath followed a distressed and afflicted Party for a long time, if nothing comes of it, he tires; but remember, if we follow Christ here, all our Pains will be recompensed to us; 1 John 2.28. Abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have Confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Christ will come, and that with Salvation to them that look for him; therefore let me be faithful in my Duty.