Thirdly, This hope and expectation will stir us up to pray for the con- summation and hrinfjlnf] to pass the performance of all those j^romises tvhich are to be pcrformnl before the coming of Christ, as that the gospel should be preached in all places ; that the conversion of the Jews might be hastened, and the downfall of antichrist might speedily come to pass. And this hope will also encourage us and put us forward, that in our several callings and standings, we should help on the performance of them as much as is in our power to perform, by helping on the building of the church and the en- largement of Christ's kingdom, and the confusion of his enemies.
Lastly, This hope will ivork in us a street and comfortable carriage in all estates and conditions, carrying us through all impediments with courage. For ' yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry,' Heb. x. 37, and he will come full handed. ' My reward is with me,' saith Christ ; and lest we should think it long before he comes, he told us long ago that those were the latter days, and that the ends of the world were then come upon them. Do men, then, molest us, persecute, and vex us ? Let us be comforted. He comes that will tread all our enemies under our feet. Do we find that we have but short spirits, that our graces are but weak ? Let us not dishearten ourselves. He that keeps heaven for us will give us necessary graces to bring us thither. If we want, go to the God of faith and love. He hath promised to give us his Spirit, to make all grace abound in us, never to leave us nor forsake us till he hath per- fected his work, in setting us with him in glory.
But to proceed to the object of this expectation, it is Christ who is described unto us by the Saviour, whom he calls also Jesus, which signi- fies a Saviour ; and this he doth to impress it the deeper into his affections.
Quest. But some may say, Christ hath saved us already. What need is there, therefore, of his second coming ?
Ans. I answer. It is to perfect our salvation. For redemption of our bodies and glorious liberty are reserved to his second coming. We look not that he should die any more, but appear as a Lord of glory in glory, without humiliation for sin, having already gotten victory of it.
Doct. The observation is, that Christ is a Saviour, and the Saviour by ivay of excellency. He saves all that are of his mystical body from all evil, and preserves them to all good. He saves their bodies and their souls now from the power of all evil, and hereafter he will free them from all evil. He is the everlasting Saviour. While we live here his blood runs continually. This is the ' fountain opened for the house of Judah for sin and uncleanness,' Zech. xiii. 1. In it are we cleansed from the guilt and damnation of sin. What would we have more ? * We are kept by faith to salvation,' 1 Peter i. 5. Let this raise up our souls. Are we swallowed up with the sense of any misery ? Let us know that we trust a Saviour that is every way absolute, that invites those that are sick with sin to come unto him ; and * how can we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ?' Heb. ii. 3. Away, therefore, with all popish conceits of meriting by our works. All glory must be given only to his mercy ; all that he did for us was to the glory of his grace, Eph. i. G.
PHILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VER. 21. 143
Lastly, This should comfort us ivhen we think of the last dm/, to think withal, that he shall ho our judge that is our Saviour, and therefore should cast away all terror from us, knowing that our head will not destroy his members, but that he our husband being a great king, will also crown us his spouse with a glorious crown. Therefore, when we see the foregoing signs come to pass, ' let us lift up our heads, knowing our redemption draweth near,' Luke xxi. 28.
To go on, in the next place : Christ is not only our Saviour, ' but he is our Lord,' wherein we may see the apostle's Christian wisdom. He useth such titles as may most of all sti-engthen his faith and affection of the pre- sent meditation, which being a point of the resurrection, a thing seeming contrary to reason, to flesh and blood, he strengthens himself in this con- sideration, that he ' is the Lord,' who hath all power and authority com- mitted to him. Mat. xxviii. 18.
Secondly, He is Lord bi/ title of redemption, so as we are no more our own, but his ; for he hath bought us with a price.
Thirdly, He is Lord of the u-orld, and of the devil hj conquest, Heb. ii. 14.
Fourthly, He is Lord over his church hij marriage. He is our husband, governing his church with sweetness and love.
He is also the Lord by way of excellency above others, depending on no creature. He is ' Lord of lords.'