the Grace of GoD in the fpiritual Life SERM. is as neceffary as the Bleffing of GOD in VI. the natural Life, to crown our Endeavours with Succefs; and without our own Care and Pains and Diligence we have no warrant to hope for the Grace of GoD in the one cafe, or his Bleffing in the other. - I now proceed,

3. Another thing that we may learn from the Metaphor in the Text is, that the Saints on Earth should patiently wait for their Glory in Heaven. So the Hufbandman waiteth for the precious Fruit of the Earth, and hath long Patience for it, Jam. v. 7.

And the Author to the Hebrews tells them they have need of Patience in this Cafe, Heb. x. 36. Ye have need of Patience, that after ye have done the Will of GOD ye may receive the Promifes. That is, ye have need of Patience in waiting for the Accomplishment of them. And the more joyful Prospects they have had of the heavenly Light and Glory, and the more grievous Calamities they have fuffered in the present state of Darkness and Sorrow, the more need they have to fortify their ardent and longing Souls VOL. II. with

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SERM. with this Grace, fo proper to a ftate of Suffering and Hope. For the ardent Hopes of a Christian may create fome tryal to his Patience, as well as his long and heavy Sufferings. And when they both meet, fore and grievous Sufferings here, and bright and ardent Hopes of Glory hereafter, then it is that the Christian stands in the greatest need of Patience, both in bearing and waiting the Will of GOD.

Great was the Attainment of the Apostle Paul in this refpcct (which is not the leaft eminent part of his Character) that though few Perfons ever endured more on Earth, or had more glorious Hopes and Foretaftes of Heaven, yet he was quite refigned as to the manner how, or the time when, he fhould receive his Difmiffion out of this Life, and enter upon his Reward. I am in a Streight (faith he) between two, having a defire to depart, and to be with Chrift, which is far better. Moreover, to abide in the Flesh is more needful for you, Phil.i. 22, 24. And to this he chearfully fubmitted, with the Hope of being further useful to the Church of Chrift, before he entered into his full Glory.

Chriftians

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Christians of a warm Spirit of Devotion SERM. efpecially should take care of an impatience of Expectation. As their Hope should support their Patience in fuffering, fo the Ardor of it fhould not tranfport them beyond the Bounds of Patience in waiting. As it did that good Man, who, upon his dying Bed, declared, that he would not for a World be to live any longer; and the very Thoughts of a Poffibility of Recovery made him even tremble; which I think is mistakenly recorded to his Praife; fuch a ftrong Expreffion favouring too much of Impatience, and a want of that abfolute Submiffion to the all-wife Disposals of Heaven, which is every Chriftian's Duty (c).

Let Chriftians then learn of the Husbandman (as the Apostle James directs them) to wait patiently for their future Harvest of Joy and Glory. Now is their time of Suffering their Day of Triumph is not far off. Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Wait patiently then all the Days of your appointed time; and bear patiently all that may be appointed you

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(c) Life of Mr. John Janeway, pag. 101.

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SERM. in the mean time, and your Expectation shall not be cut off.

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IV. Another thing we may learn from the Metaphor in the text is, that true Chriftians fhould frequently encourage themselves with the Profpects and Hopes of their future Glory; and thankfully acknowledge those Providences and Difpenfations which tend to advance and promote it.

Thus does the prudent Husbandman. Many Streights and Difficulties he may be in, but he hath a Profpect of a plentiful Harveft, which will foon ease him of them all, and amply recompenfe all his Pains. And hath not the righteous and upright Man much more reafon to encourage himself with the profpect of that Harvest of Light and Gladness, which is fpringing up for him in Heaven? Where no Fear fhall ever more distress his Mind; nor a Thought fhall ever enter there but what fhall delight and ele

vate it.

And for this end it is, that the Happiness of the Saints in Heaven is represented in Scripture under fuch Figures as are most apt to charm and exalt the Mind, and invite it's most

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most delightful Contemplations. And for SERM, that End have I endeavoured in the two preceding Discourses, to improve the Representation of it in the text, under the notion of Light and Gladness.

And why should you be backward to think of Heaven, you who hope for ever to dwell there? Why backward to folace and refresh yourselves with fuch Views, under all the Fatigues of your earthly Pilgrimage; or why fhould not the Sorrows of Earth drive you to that Resource of Joy and Comfort, ever acceffible, ever open? Establish well but your Hopes of it, and you cannot too frequently enjoy those Hopes. They will purify the Soul, and exalt it; and refine it from the Soil and Filth, which a too close attention to the things of this World, is apt to leave upon it.

And thus have I endeavoured particularly to open and improve the Metaphor in the text, where the Happiness of Heaven is faid to be SOWN for the Righteous. I fhall now conclude all with a few fhort Reflections upon the whole.

1. If the future Happiness of the righteous and upright in Heart be Light and Gladness, what will hereafter be the Portion