Sermons preached

2. Come we now to the Regenerate. Such the Apostle looks upon the Thessalonians to be. They need to have their Hearts directed to the patient waiting for Christ, for these Reasons.

(1.) Because we have too dim and doubtful a foresight of these things. How dark a Prospect have even the best of God's Children of the World to come? We may speak of ⟨p. 137⟩others as Unbelievers, but God knows how doubtful our own Thoughts are about Eternity and Christ's Coming; how little we can shut the Eye of Sense, and open that of Faith, and say truly with the Apostle, 2 Cor. 4. 18. We look not at the Things that are seen, that are temporal; but to the Things unseen, that are Eternal. Alas! we have no through Sight into another World. The best Christians have need to have their Eyes anointed with spiritual Eye-salve, that their Sight may be more sharp and piercing; to beg the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, to open the Eyes of their Mind, that they may see what is the Hope of Christ's calling, Eph. 1. 17, 18. There are too many intervening Clouds between us and Eternity, that darken our Sight, and obscure our Faith.

(2.) Our Thoughts of these things are strange and dull, and too rare and unfrequent. How seldom have we any serious thoughts of his Coming, and how unwelcome are they to our Hearts? It was a Complaint against Israel, that they did put far away the evil Day; but the Complaint against us may be taken up thus, that we put far away the good Day, when all our Desires and Hopes shall be accomplished and satisfied. The Atheistical World deny it, and we forget it. Solomon saith to the sensual young Man, Remember, that for all these things God shall bring thee to Judgment. Young Men forget or put off these Thoughts, lest, like cold Water cast into a boiling Pot, they should check the Fervour of their Lusts. But alas! grave Men, good Men, forget these things. When Christ had spoken of his Coming to Judgment, he saith,