effects of it. 2. The promifes of fanctification fhall then be perfected, the body that was fown in corruption, fhall be raised in incorruption; it was fown in difhonour, it is raised in glory; it was fown in weakness, it is raised in power; it was fown a natural body, it is raifed a fpiritual body; that body that bare the image of the earthly Adam, fhall bear the image of the heavenly, &c. 1 Cor. xv. 4249. This corruption fhall put on incorruption, and this mortal fhall put on immortality." And Phil. iii. 21. He fhall change our vile bodies, and make them like unto his own glorious body;" our bodies are not fo much vile for their natural form, as for original corruption that fticketh unto us. 3. The promises of confolation are then perfected, "Where he is there fhall his fervants be." He shall then fay, "Come ye bleffed of my Father, inherit the kingdom;" come, faithful fervants, enter into the joy of your Lord and mafter. 4. The promifes of freedom from croffes are then perfected. In this life believers are fubject to perfecution, and have no full freedom from fin, and while fin is in them, the cross attendeth them; but then there fhall be no more curfe, no more crying, nor complaining, the fecond coming of Chrift brings abfo

૦ ૧૩

lute freedom from fin, and all the effects

of it.

Lastly, The promifes of glorification, the conforming of us to his image, the placing of us on the throne, the fouls and bodies of all the elect, united together, and entered in poffeffion of glory, to have rooms among them that ftand by, to eat and drink with him in his kingdom; all these, and whatever we can think on that tendeth to believers comfort, and much more is perfected there.

2. As the promises, fo all the prophefies of the glory of God, of his victory over enemies, of his calling in his ancient people, &c. fhall then be accomplished: that day puts an end to all prophefies, all that is in part is then done away, 'when that which is perfect is come.

3. The perfecting of believers, I mean all of them together, and in foul and body, is fully done in that day, when their shall be no darkness upon their understandings, but they fhall fee the incomprehenfible God fo far as they are capable, and is as meet for them to comprehend him, to the encrease of their wondering and admiration, and for a foundation to their praise without any mistake, all infirmities being then done away.

4. That time putteth an end to all inter

vening ordinances, there fhall be no more preaching nor prayer, no more hearing of preaching, nor reading of fcripture, nor coming to the church, the Lord is the temple, and the light of the higher house, and there is an immediate enjoying of him, which fwalloweth up the need of all intervening means. And,

5. In a word, there is no more time, and under time we comprehend all that is fuitable to time, and is under time, death changeth distance with God, croffes and. perfecutions, all that is imperfect, being the appendicles of time, there is nothing then but what is unchangeable, and in the highest degree perfect; and all thefe accompanying, Chrift's coming, and bringing believers confolation to the height, is it any wonder his coming be defirable and longed for by them?

Taking this then for a granted truth, that there is nothing more lovely to a believer, nor more defiròus nor more longed and prayed for by him when he is in a good frame, we come to make our use of it.

And first, It is a mark to try a lively frame by, for if it be true that believers are not right when they are not in frame, and if it is an evidence of the bride being in a lively frame, that the fays, "Even fo, come Lord Jefus," then believers are in a

for

right frame, when they can, on good grounds put up this prayer, when they defire and long for, and wrestle in prayer his coming. For clearing of this ufe, we fhall speak a word or two of three things, to prevent mistakes. 1. To clear what I understand by a good or lively frame. What are the characters of a right or folid defire after Chrift's coming. 3. A word for anfwering fome objections of believers.

2.

For the first, a right frame for Chrift's coming, and wherein believers defire his coming, is, in fhort, this.

1. When believers are clear in their intereft. 2. When they are acting and exercifing their faith, love and hope, when it is thus with them, it is impoffible but they will be longing to have their love fatisfied in enjoying and delighting in the object of their faith and hope: and a serious defire for Chrift's coming, is a companion of this frame, and it is impoffible others can defire his coming, for they have him to look for as an enemy. And be lievers cannot defire his coming, if they be out of the exercife of grace, for then they are under ground of challenge.

For the fecond, the characters of a right defire after Christ's coming. 1. It is accompanied with a good frame, take never that for a right defire of Chrift's coming,

that proceedeth not from peace with God' on good grounds, and from the exercife of faith and love in the heart. It is but profane atheism that dare fay," let the Lord come," and looketh not into the heart, to fee if it be in a fit pofture for his coming.2. A right and folid defire of Christ's coming, takes in all that accompanieth, his coming, as that Chrift would perfect his faints, that antichrift may come down, and the Jews may be called in. As it defireth that Chrift may come for its own good, so it defireth that all these things may be performed in their new order. So that it is a rational and fubmiffive defire waiting for thefe things that concern his honour. 3. Where a right defire is there will be a defire of haftening all these things before his coming, that the bride may be made ready, the old covenant renewed betwixt him and his people, and antichrift brought down, and it dare not precipitate nor, half his coming. 4. Where a right defire is, there will be a ferious preparing for his coming, that it may, be found of him in peace, and in its flation endeavouring to make others ready with itself, 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. "I have fought a good fight, I have finifhed my courfe henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righte oufnefs, which the Lord the righteous judge