The true Christians love of the unseen Christ, or, A discourse chiefly tending to…

5. show your love to Christ in your readiness to take up and patiently bear Christ's cross: I don't say you should desire sufferings for Christ, but sure I am that strong love to Christ will not permit you to decline them; don't go out of Gods way for them, neither go out of God's way from them, if you meet with the cross in the way of duty, don't either turn back, or start aside, but cheerfully take it up, & when you have got it up, patiently bear it, and don't throw it off, till God take it off; when it is your duty to suffer for Christ, look upon it also to be your privilege and be glad of the opportunity, rejoicing that you have any thing to part withal for the sake of Christ, if it be good name, or good estate, or good Friends, if it be liberty or life it self; such expressions of love are very honourable and very pleasing to your Lord and Master.

5. shew your love to Christ in your readiness to take up and patiently bear Christ's cross: I don't say you should desire sufferings for Christ, but sure I am that strong love to Christ will not permit you to decline them; don't go out of God•s way for them, neither go out of God's way from them, if you meet with the cross in the way of duty, don't either turn back, or start aside, but chearfully take it up, & when you have got it up, patiently bear it, and don't throw it off, till God take it off; when it is your duty to suffer for Christ, look upon it also to be your priviledge and be glad of the opportunity, rejoycing that you have any thing to part withal for the sake of Christ, if it be good name, or good estate, or good Friends, if it be liberty or life it self; such expressions of love are very honourable and very pleasing to your Lord and Master.

6. And lastly, Show your love to Christ in your desires after Christ's presence here, and in your longing for his second appearance ⟨p. 162⟩at the last day. 1. Desire Christ's Gracious presence here, and the manifestations thereof, that according to his promises he would come unto you, that he would draw near, and that you might feel that he is near; desire that you might have clearer discoveries of Christ, and more intimate communion and fellowship with Christ; above all company and fellowship, desire the company fellowship and acquaintance with Christ, that you might walk with him and converse with him, and that there might be a daily intercourse between Christ and your souls, and that all distances between you, and strangeness might be removed; let your love express it self in desires after Christ when he is absent, and in delights when he is present; rejoice in the Lord exceedingly when he doth manifest himself unto you graciously, admire his beauty and delight in his smiles, admire his love and delight in the persuasions of his favour, let the actings of your love, and the workings of it, be such to your beloved daily. 2. Desire also and long for the second appearance of Christ at the last day; when he saith, Surely I come quickly, do you say, Amen, Even so come Lord Jesus. Look upon time as slow of heel and wing, that it runs no faster, that