1I0 rnE wont) TO COME. The second hint of caution is this, " you that shall be the glory of Christ in that day, dare not do any thing that may dis- honour him now." Walk answerable to your character and your hope, nor indulge the least sinful defilement. Say within your- selves: " Am Ito make one in that splendid retinue of my Lord, where every one must appear in robes of holiness, and shall I Spot my garments with the flesh i When I am provoked to an- ger and indignation, let me say, dotti wrath and bluster become a follower and an attendant of the meek and peaceful Jesus ? When 1 am tempted to pride and vanity of mind, will this be a beauty or a blemish to that assembly, that shines in glorious humility ? Or perhaps, I atn wavering, and ready to yield, and become a captive 'to some foolish temptation ; but how then can I expect a place in that holy triumph, which is appointed for none but conquerors ? And how shall I be able to look my blessed General in the face on that day, if I prove a coward under his banner, and abandon my profession of strict holiness, at the de- mand of a sinful and threatening world ?" V. The last use I shall make of the text, is matter of conso- lation and joy to two sorts of christians. First, To the poor, mean and despised followers of Christ, and in whom Christ himself is despised by the ungodly world. Read my text and believe, that in you Christ shall be glorified and admired, when with a million of angels he shall descend from heaven, and make his last appearance upon earth ; mean as you are in your own esteem, because of your ignorance and your weakness in this world, you shall be one of the glories of Christ in the world to come : Little and despicable as you are hi the esteem of proud sinners, they shall behold your Lord exalted on his throne, and you sitting among the honours at his right -hand, while they shall rage afar off and gnash their teeth at your glory : When the eye of faith is open, it can spy this bright hour at a distance, and bid the mourning christian rejoice in hope. Secondly, There is comfort also in my text to those who mourn for the dishonour of Christ in the world ; those lively members of the mystical body, who sympathize with the blessed head under all the reproaches that are cast upon him and his gospel, who groan under the load of scandal that is thrown upon Christ in an infidel age, as though it were personally thrown upon themselves. It is matter of lamentation indeed, that there are but few of this sort of christians in our day, few that love our Lord Jesus with such tenderness ; but if such there be among you, open your eyes and look forward to this glorious day. This day to which Enoch the first of all the prophets; and John the last of all the apostles, directs our faith. Read their own words; Jude 14, 15. Behold, the Lord cometh
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