Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

298 Horn we mull expert the fecond comingof Chrift. with vigilancie , having our loyns girt and our lights burning , like the vigilant fervants , Luke 12.35,36,37,4x. and the wife virgins, Matth.25. not like the ungodly fervant, who Pith in his heart, «íy mailer deferreth his coming, &c. Luke 2.4 5". nor the foolifh virgins, who fleeping in fecuritie, and contenting themfelves with the shining lamp of an outward profesfion , at the coming of the bride- groom were Phut out. 3. We muff III. The third duty. So to live in this expectation remain con- as that neither profperity nor adverfity Ihail be Rant in p P Y Gods love, able to remove us from the love of God, being flayed with the anchor of hope, Heb. 6. r9. appre- hending and expeaing the heavenly joyes fet be- fore us, in refpet whereof all the profperity and pleafures of this life are to be contemned, and all adversities patiently to be indured. For thofe that have this affixed expectation, contemne all the pro- fperity of the world as mere vanity in refpeet oftlie glory that shall be revealed, and therefore are cruci- fied to the world, and mind heavenly things, &c. A- gain, this expeaation fwalloweth up the fenfe of all temporali afiaions, as experience bath taught us in the martyrs: For the affliaions ofthis life are not worthy of the glory which Jima be revealed in us, Rom. 8.18. Therefore,as the Apostle exhorteth Heb. r z. I, 2. let us, having ruck a cloud of martyrs, with pa- tience runne the race that is fit before us, looking to lerus, &c. Jacob for the promifed reward, viz.the marriage of Rachel, thought his feven yeares trou- blefome fervice to be but eafie and short: how much more ought we chearfully to bear all the af_ flidions