3. A happy or miferable Eternity de- V. When must we watch? Generally, at all Times, S. Luk. xxi. 36. 2 Tim. iv. 5. but especially, 1. In time of Afflictions, 1. That we do not charge GOD with In- li. 4. 2. That we be not impatient under them; 1. From whom they come. . 2. For what they come. 3. How Small they are, Ezra ix. 13. 4. That we do not diftruft GOD in them, But depend upon, 1. His Wifdom, 2 Pet. ii. 9. 2. Power. 3. Mercy, Exod. xxxiv. 6,7. Pfal.ciii. 8, 9. 2. For Deliverance out of them. 5. That we be not too much cast down by 6. That we do not draw finful or unwar- 1. That we are not, Ecclef. ix. 1. Or, 2. That we are, the Children of GOD, Rev. iii. 19. 7. That we improve them fo as to get Good 1. By hating Sin more, as the Cause of them. 2. Fearing GOD more, who is offended 3. Relying more upon His Promifes. 4. 8. That we do not make ufe of unlawful Means to get out of them; confidering, that there is more Evil in the least Sin, than in the greatest Suffering and Affliction. 2. In time of Prosperity. 1. That our Hearts be not proud and puff'd up with it, 1 Tim. vi. 7. For, 1. Whatsoever we have is none of our own, it is the Gift of GOD to us. 2. The more GOD gives to us here, the greater Account we must give to Him hereafter, S. Luk. xii. 48. 2. That we do not abuse it to Licentiouf nefs, S. Jam. iv. 3. For confider, 1. This will provoke GOD to take it away. 2. By this means our Profperity here will be the Occafion of our Mifery here after. 3. That it does not steal our Hearts from GOD, Pfal. lxii. 10. by Loving and Delighting in it more than GŎD. 4. That we do not take up with it instead of our chiefest Good; feeing, 1. That GOD does not intend it for our Happiness. 2. Neither is it able to fatisfy us. 3. GOD may justly then put us off with it, Pfal. xvii. 14. 5. That we do not truft in it, 1 Tim. vi. 17. 6. That we do not make finful Inferences from it. 1. That GOD doth, Ecclef. ix. 1. 2. Or doth not love us. 7. That we afcribe it all to GOD, and fo be thankful for it, Pfal. lxxv. 6, 7. 8. That we improve it for God's Glory, and the Benefit of others, Prov. iii. 9. 3. In time of Duty. 1. When we read the Scriptures, S. Joh. V. 39. 1. That we read them as the Word of 2. So read as to mind what we read. 4. So remember as to practife, S. Joh. 2. When we pray, i S. Pet. iv. 7. S. Matt. xxvi. 41. 1. That we pray with true Devotion and right Apprehenfions of GOD, Ezra ix. 6. 2. With Understanding, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. 3. With Attention. 4. With Faith, S. Fam. i. 5, 6. S. Matt. xxi. 22. 5. With good Intentions, S. Jam. iv. 3. Confidering, 1. How hard it is to pray. 2. How neceffary 3. How advantageous to pray aright, and as we ought to do. USE. To enforce the Exercife of this great Duty of Watchfulness; Confider, i. How easy it is to fin. 2. How dangerous, Rom. vi ult, 3. How many Temptations furround us, t S. Pet. v. 8. 4. Unless we watch, there is no Sin or Dan ger but we may fall into. 5. We have but a small time to watch. 6. Eternity depends upon it, S. Matt. xxv 12, 13. 7. We know not when we fhall be call'd to appear before Christ, S. Mar. xiii. 32. S. LUK. ii. 14. Glory to God in the Higheft, and on Earth Peace, Good-will towards Men. 1. THE HE ultimate End of Chrift's Coming inthe World was, the Glory of GOD. 2. The bleffed Effect of His Coming was, Peace upon Earth. 3. The only MOTIVE of His Coming was, Good-will towards Men; where observe, 1. GOD's Glory was manifested. 2. Peace upon Earth was perfected. I. The Glory of GOD was manifested, 1. The Glory of His Faithfulness, Isa. vii. 14. Hag. ii. 9: 2. 3. 4. USE. of His Juftice, Exod. xxxiv. 6. What was GOD's End in fending Chrift, the fame fhould be our End in celebrating Christmas. II. Peace upon Earth was perfected. 1. The Peace betwixt GOD and Man, Rom. V. 1. Job ix. 32, 33. betwixt Man and his own Con betwixt Man and all the World USB |