[66] John xiv, 3.
[67] 1 Corinthians xi, 26.
[68] Matthew xxiv, 32.
[69] Matthew xxiv, 48.
[70] Luke xxi, 28.
[71] Matthew x, 16.
[72] Psalm lvii, 4.
[73] Matthew iii, 7.
[74] 1 Corinthians xv, 19.
§ 3. O, Fellow Christians, what a day will that be, when we, who have been kept prisoners by sin, by sinners, by the grave, shall be fetched out by the Lord himself? It will not be such a coming as his first was, in poverty and contempt, to be spit upon, and buffeted, and crucified again. He will not come, O careless world! to be slighted and neglected by you any more. Yet that coming wanted not its glory. If the heavenly host, for the celebration of his nativity, must praise God;[75] with what shoutings will angels and saints at that day proclaim glory to God, peace and good will towards men? If a star must lead men from remote parts of the world to come to worship a child in a manger;[76] how will the glory of his next appearing constrain all the world to acknowledge his sovereignty? If, riding on an ass, he enter Jerusalem with hosannas,[77] with what peace and glory will he come toward the New Jerusalem? If, when he was in the form of a servant,[78] they cry out, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?[79] What will they say, when they shall see him coming in his glory, and the heavens and the earth obey him? Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn.[80] To think and speak of that day with horror, doth well beseem the impenitent sinner, but ill the believing saint. Shall the wicked behold him and cry, "Yonder is he whose blood we neglected, whose grace we resisted, whose counsels we refused, whose government we cast off!" And shall not the saints, with inconceivable gladness, cry, "Yonder is he whose blood redeemed us, whose Spirit cleansed us, whose law did govern us, in whom we trusted, and he hath not deceived our trust; for whom we long waited, and now we see we have not waited in vain! O cursed corruption! that would have had us turn to the world, and present things, and say, Why should we wait for the Lord any longer?[81] Now we see, Blessed are all they that wait for him."[82] And now, Christians, should we not put up that petition heartily, Thy kingdom come? The Spirit and the bride say come: And let him that heareth, and readeth, say, Come. Our Lord himself says, Surely I come quickly. Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.[83]