judgment to come; yea, more inconsiderate and in- SERM. sensible we appear, than those obstinate sons of darkness, the devils themselves, who believe and tremble Jam. ii. 29. thereat.

XXXIII.

7, 8. i. 18.

If, on the other hand, we are conscious to ourselves of having seriously and carefully endeavoured to please God, and obey his commandments, how can we think of it without a comfortable hope of finding mercy and favour in that day! If in our hearts we can say with St. Paul, I have combated the good 2 Tim. iv. combat, I have finished (or I have continued) the race, I have kept the faith; then may we hopefully say after him, as he said confidently before us, From henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which in that day the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall render unto me. If by virtue of the saving grace of God, which hath appeared to all men, and according to its holy instructions, we have denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, living so-Tit. ii. 12, berly, righteously, and piously, in this present world; then may we joyfully expect the blessed hope, and the appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; then may we indeed heartily wish, cheerfully hope, and earnestly pray for that day; doing which is the character, and hath been the practice of the best men; The Lord, saith 1 Cor. i. 7. St. Paul, will render the crown of righteousness to Tit. ii. 9. all them who love his appearance; and, Looking Pet.iii.12. for and hastening the presence of the day of God, Rev. xxii. saith St. Peter, intimating the practice of the primitive Christians; and, Yea, come, O Lord Jesus, is St. John's petition in the close of the Revelation, and may be the prayer of those who have the like conscience and affections with him.

13.

I

Phil. iii. 20.

2 Tim.iv.8.

20.

XXXIII.

SERM. I conclude, wishing and exhorting that the meditation of this most important affair may be continually present to our minds; that we may seem, with that devout man, always to hear the last trump sounding in our ears, and through our hearts; that so with a pious awe and with a well-grounded hope we may expect the coming of our Lord, and may love his appearance; that from hence, being effectually restrained from all impious and vicious conversation, being induced to a circumspect and watchful pursuit of all piety and virtue, guiding our lives inoffensively in all good conscience toward God and man, we may in the end be able to render a good account, and with comfort unexpressible may at that day, from the mouth of our Judge, hear those happy words, Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into your Master's joy; Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Unto the possession whereof, Almighty God in his infinite mercy, by the grace of his holy Spirit, vouchsafe to bring us, through the merits of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom for ever be all glory and praise. Amen.

1 Thess. v.

23.

I

The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and pray God your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.