Ans. 2. The exhortation lies not unto holiness and godliness in general, but as to the degrees of it, — what manner of men we ought to be in them. It is not a godly conversation at an ordinary rate, that may find acceptance at another time, which will suffice to meet Christ at his coming; and that on sundry accounts, afterward to be men- tioned. I shall at present only treat of some grounds of it from his own person who cometh, and whom we are to meet ; and speak of the Avork he hath to do in his coming afterward : —
(1.) On the account of his personal excellencies and holiness. Con- sider how he is described when he comes to walk among his churches, Rev. i. 13-17: He is full of beauty and glory. When Isaiah saw him, chap, vi., he cries out, " I am undone, I am a man of unclean lips;" because of the dread and terror of his holiness. And Peter also, " Depart from me, Lord ; for I am a sinful man." They were not able to bear the thoughts of his glorious holiness so nigh to them. When the holy God of old was to come down among the people at the giving of the law, all the people were to sanctify themselves, and to wash their clothes, Exod. xix. 10, 11. And order was still taken that no unclean thing might be in the camp, because of the presence of the holy God, though but in a type and resemblance. Whether we observe it or no, if there be any dissolving dispensations among us that relate to Christ or his church, there is a Holy One in the midst of us; or there will be, when any such dispensations shall pass over us. And to think to have to do in the works and ways wherein he hath to do, with hearts unlike and unsuitable unto him, to act our lusts and follies immediately under the eye of his holiness, to set our de- filed hands to his pure and holy hands, — his soul will abhor it. This is a boldness which he will revenge, — that Ave should bring our neglect and lusts into his holy presence. Christ is in every corner, — in every turn of our affairs ; and it is incumbent on us to consider hoAv it is fit for us to behaA'e ourselves in his special presence.
AN ARGUMENT FOE UNIVERSAL HOLINESS. 141
(2.) Upon the account of his authority. He who thus comes is the King of saints, and lie comes as the King of saints, — he comes to exert his regal power and authority, to give a testimony to it in the world. So Isa. lxiii. 1-4: He shows his gloiy, his might, his king- dom, and authority in this work. So Rev. xix. 12: When he comes to destroy his antichristian enemies, he hath many crowns on his head ; he exerciseth his regal power and authority. What is the duty of saints when their King is so nigh them, when he is come into the midst of them, — whilst he puts forth the greatness of his power round about them? Will it become them to be neglective of him? to be each man in the pursuit of his own lusts, and ways, and works, in the presence of their King? Holiness and godliness hath a due regard to the authority of Christ. Wherever there is a due subjection of soul unto Christ, all holy conversation and godliness will ensue. To be neglective in or of any part of holy conversation, — to be careless of any part of worship, under the special eye of the Lord of our lives and our worship, is not to be borne with.
(3.) On the account of the present care, kindness, and love, that he is exerting in all such dispensations towards his. It is a time of care and love. The way of his working out the designs of his heart are, indeed, ofttimes dark and hid, and his own do not see so clearly how things lie in a tendency to the event and fruits of love; but so it is; — Christ comes not but with a design of love and pity towards his, — with his heart full of compassion for them. Now, what this calls for at their hands, seeing their holiness and worship is all that his soul is delighted in, is evident unto all.
Put, now, these things together: — Every such dispensation is a coining of Christ; — the coming of Christ, as it is trying in itself, so it is the coming of the holy King of saints in his love and pity to- wards them; yea, be the dispensation what it will, never so sharp and severe unto them, yet it is in love and compassion to their souls ; — ■ their work is to meet this their holy King in the works of his love and power: and " what manner of persons ought Ave to be?"
SERMON XT.
2. The second ground is, because every such day is a lesser day of judgment, — a forerunner, pledge, and evidence of that great day of the Lord which is to come. God's great and signal judgments in the world are to be looked on as pledges of the final judgment at the last