Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

296 We muff expeci and pray this is made a note of a true Chrilian, to love and defire it, 2. Tim. 4.8. For, as Th. Aquinas faith, 2ui diligit amicum cum deftderio exfpetlat eum,He that loveth his friend expe6leth him with longing de- fire. And alfo they who believe that Chrift is their Saviour, they will alfo defire his coming. And as the creature earneftly waiteth for that time which Acts 3.21. is called the time of the reflitution of all things, which now are fubjecl to vanity, Rom. 8.20. for then the heaven & earth shall be renewed, 2.Pet. 3.13. fo we alto, who have the firfl fruits of the Spi- rit, filth within our f Ives, waiting for the adoption, even the redemption of our bodies, Rom. 8.2 3. Then is the time of Chrifts marriage with his Church, and of our conformation with him in glory, i .John 3.2. For when he fhall appear, weJhall be like unto him. If then the fecond coming of Chrift (hall be a day of refrefhing, of full redemption, of Chrifls marriage with his Church; then thofe who hope to be par- takers of thefe benefits, & are efpoufed unto Chrift by faith,will with as carnet} defire expet his fecond coming as the loving bride doth the marriage -day. Wherefore, as it is Revel. 22.17. the Spirit and the bride fay, Come: and let him that heareth f y, Come. and v. 20. Come, Lord 7efu, come quickly. And fo the Lord hath taught us here to pray. And therefore if we will pray unto the Lord in truth,we mull labour to attein unto.this affurance of faith 5 that being af- fured of Gods everlafling love towards us in Ch rift, we may carnef}ly defire the Lord, that an end being put to thefe evil dayes, he would haften the coming of Chrift. Neither let us think that we have well profited