Sermons preached

I. What this patient waiting for Christ is. II. The Connection between it, and the Love of God. III. That it hath a great influence upon the spiritual Life, or keeps Religion alive in the Soul. IV. The Necessity of God's concurrence hereto, the Lord direct your Hearts into the patient waiting for Christ.

I. What is this patient waiting for Christ? I answer, it is the Grace of Hope, fortifying our resolutions for God, and the World to come, that we may continue in our Duty, till our work be finished, and our warfare ended. The Act of ⟨p. 125⟩Hope is three ways expressed. Sometimes by Looking, which notes a certain expectation. Tit. 2. 13. Looking for the blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour. Sometimes by Loving or Longing, which notes a desirous and earnest expectation: 2 Tim. 4. 8. Not to me only, but to all that love his appearing. Sometimes by Waiting, which notes a patient Expectation; 1 Thess. 10. He makes it there the Fruit of our Conversion, He saith, we are turned to God, that we may wait for his Son from Heaven. This last Notion is expressly mentioned in the Text, the other are implied: as looking; there can be no waiting for that we do not look for: and longing, for delay is only troublesome to them, that earnestly desire his coming, and build their Hopes upon it. Faith adds certainty, and Love earnestness, and both give strength to Patience. Let us open all these things. As

I. What is this patient waiting for Christ? I answer, it is the Grace of Hope, fortifying our resolutions for God, and the World to come, that we may continue in our Duty, till our work be finished, and our warfare ended. The Act of ⟨p. 125⟩Hope is three ways exprest. Sometimes by Looking, which notes a certain expectation.