orruptions, and
use this world as strangers, in your passage through it, that owns nothing
as their own? Ye have no propriety(525) here, and therefore ye may the
better live as strangers. But, 2. In relation to watching; Christ Jesus is
coming, and is near, therefore watch. This Christ himself presses
earnestly: Be as men that wait for the coming of their Lord, since he is
not far off. Therefore, Christians, ye ought to be upon your feet, and not
sit down with the creature. Ye should entertain this hope of his coming,
and comfort yourselves by it, and be kept at your duty by it. I may say,
there is nothing that is less known among Christians. Christ and his
apostles often pressed it, as it seems he would have it the one ever
running duty, through all generations. Ye ought then to be ready for
Christ's coming, and not be found sleeping. 3. In relation to prayer; for
if the end of all things is at hand, and Christ will soon come again, then
the Spirit's exercise, and the bride's should be, "Come, Lord Jesus, come
quickly." Pray Christ back again, and say, Why tarry his chariot wheels?
Pray him back with salvation, and hasten his return by prayer. He hath
left such a dependent condition, left such an employment for us, as speaks
dependence and necessity. This is the time of promises, and we ought to
pray for their accomplishment. In heaven there will be no prayer, for
prayer shall be swallowed up in praise, faith in vision, and hope in
possession. But prayer is a duty suitable to the time, and to the
Christian's minority, to his banishment and sojourning. Dream not of an
eternity here-away. Learn wisdom to number your days, and apply your
hearts to religious wisdom; and if ye die thus, ye may rejoice that so
many of the number are passed, and cannot return again.

FOOTNOTES

1 Baillie's Letters and Journals, vol. iii. pp. 286-288, MSS in Bib.
Col. Glas.

2 "A Letter from Head Quarters in Scotland"

"SIR, We came hither on Saturday last, April 19th. The ministers and
townsmen generally staid at home, and did not quit their habitations
as formerly. These ministers that are here are those that have
deserted from the proceedings beyond the water, yet they are equally
dissatisfied with us. And though they preach against us in the
pulpit to our forces, yet we permit them without disturbance, as
willing to gain them by love. My Lord General sent to them to giv