592 The ExcellencyandUnivcrfa(ity of Vol. II. what ufe we fhould make of the Advantages and'(ppctuuities, which by the glo- rious Light of the Gofpel are afforded to us, fohn 12. 35. Walk whileye have the light ; led darknefr come uponyou. Ephef. 5. 8. For ye were fometimes darknefs; but nowareye light in the Lord: walk therefore as children of the light. Rom. t 3. I 1, 12, 13, 14. It is now high time to awake out offleep : for now is our Salva- tion nearer than when we believed. The night isfar fpent, the day is 'at hand : let± US therefore call off' the works of darknef., and let us put on the armour of lights Let us walkhandily as in theday ; not in rioting and drunkennefs, not in chambering andwantonnefs, not in firife andenvying: but putye on the Lord Jefus Chrirî, and make not previfion for the fell:, to fulfil the lulls thereof. This Counfel is proper for Chriftians at all times, who live under the light of the Gofpel : but more efpecially at this time, when we commemorate thecoining of this light into the World. Nothing can be moreunfuitable and contrary to it, than works ofdarknefs , I mean fin and wickednefs, and thofe abominable vices, which too many are apt to indulge themfelves in at this timemore efpecially, fuck as the Apoftle names in the Text juf now mentioned, rioting and drunkennefs, chamberingandwantonnefs, contention andquarrelling. We fhould at thistime more efpeciallyput of thofe vices, and put on the Lordfetus Chrifl, that is, be cloathed with all thofeGraces and Virtues, which in the Precepts of his Religion, and the Example of his Life, he hath recommended to ús. This is the time when the Wordwas madeflefh, and put on our Nature : and what return can be more proper for us at this Seafon, than to put on the LordJeffs ; and to make no provifienfor fefb to fulfil the lulls thereof? Nay at this time we fhould retrench more thanufual from our Excefs and fuper- fluity, both becaufe of thecrying Neceffities of the poor, who arevery numerous; and likewife for the Reliefof our diftreffed and perfecuted Brethren, who are fled to us for fhelter from the barbarous rage of their Perfecutors. What wewould have done for the honour ofChrift at another time, let us now do for the Reliefof his Members ; and whatever Kindnefswe Phew to them, he will take it as done to him- felf. We have great caufe to be chearful at this time, and we may teftifie our joy by Feafting, or anyother lawful expreffions of it : but wemuff not fo feaft, as to forget theaffliElion ofJofeph, andnot to remember that we alfo are in the body, and liable to the fame Sufferings. We muff therefore take heed, that our Table donot become a fnare to us ; and that our Mirth do not degenerate into Senfuality and Sin. Every Chriftian hath fo manyArguments againft fin, that we fhould abftain from it at all times : but of all other time's we should be molt afhamed tó be guilty of any lewdnefs and wickednefs, when we are remembring the appearance of the Son. ofGod, tobring Salvation tous, and to teach us to deny ungodlinefs and worldly lofts, and to live foberly, righteoufly andgodly in this prefent world. To conclude, Let us by all that hath been faid be perfuaded fo to celebrate the memory of Chrift's firft coming, to take awayfin by thefacrificeofhiñifelf, that we may with comfort and joy waitfor the bleffed hope, and theglorious appearance of thegreat God and our SaviourJefus Chr f, whenhe(hall appearafecond timewithout fin unto Salvation. 5 SER-
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