to be "looking for the glorious appearing of their God and Saviour;" to be "waiting the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." Thus our Saviour directs His Disciples to be "like unto men that wait for their Lord." And in

like manner we find the Saints in the text representing their conduct towards the Lord in the days of their flesh, by the same term, "we have waited for Him." It may be useful then to point out some of the particulars implied in this general description of the Christian character.

1st. To "wait for Christ," implies a firm belief of His Second Coming, and of the infinitely momentous consequences which will follow that event. The true Christian is one, who "walks by faith, and not by sight.' He receives with implicit submission and belief, whatever he finds revealed in the word of God. Hence he really believes, that "Christ will come to be our Judge." While some are profanely asking, "where is the promise of His coming?" he lays it down in his mind as an infallible truth, that "the day of the Lord will come." He entertains no more doubt, that at the appointed hour, "the Lord Jesus will be revealed from Heaven in flaming fire, taking vengeance on His enemies," than if the aweful hour were already arrived. Faith leads him to overlook the time and space which intervene, and to

contemplate the future as actually present. But true Faith has another property. It not only realizes unseen things, and makes distant events to become near; but it oper ates effectually in the heart. It is a working, an active, a holy principle. It sets a man to seek, and to avoid the objects which it reveals; and to make provision against those events, which it believes to be coming. Hence,

2dly. To "wait for Christ," implies not only a firm belief of His Second Coming, but a constant endeavour to be prepared for that event. The Servant who waits for his Lord, not only expects that He will come, but strives to be ready for His coming. The wise virgins, who waited for the return of the bridegroom, took oil, not only in their lamps, but also in their vessels; that at whatever hour he should come, they might be ready to enter with him into the Marriagefeast. Thus, those in the text, who are described as saying, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him," are represented by that expression as intimating, that while they were on earth, they lived in a state of Preparation for Christ's Second Coming. Let us then enquire what this state of preparation is. Who are they that are now prepared for the Coming of Christ to Judgement? They are those who are now living by faith in

Him those, who, conscious of their own guilt and weakness, are now trusting to Him for pardon and strength. The true Christian is One,(my Brethren, attend to the description,) the true Christian is One, who, though in his heart he has renounced, and in his life has forsaken the ways of sin, yet still feels himself to be a Sinner; still finds, that he does many things which he ought not to do; and leaves undone many things which he ought to do; and has no health in him: One, therefore, who, adopting the Publican's confession and prayer, cries, "God be merciful to me a Sinner;" while at the same time he daily comes to the blood of Jesus for the cleansing of his Soul, and for the purging of his conscience from dead works to serve the living God. He is one, whose hope, and peace, and joy, are placed in Christ alone. Through Christ alone he draws near with comfort, and confidence to the throne of mercy. On Christ alone he depends for grace to make his heart good and holy, and to enable him to overcome the devil, the world, and the flesh. For this grace he daily prays; and strives to increase and improve it in the use of all the appointed means. Such is the true Christian. Such is the man, who, living the life he now lives in the flesh, by faith in the Son of

God;" is prepared for the coming of Christ, and thus waits for Him. But,

3dly. Under this general expression of waiting for Christ another particular is also included. It implies a patient continuance in well doing. The true Disciples of Christ not only believe that He will come, and prepare themselves for His coming, but they also patiently wait the time of His coming. They do not murmur and repine at the services imposed on them, or at the trials which they are called to endure. They are not impatient at bearing (if such be the Lord's will respecting them) the burden and heat of the day. They are perhaps labouring under pain and sickness. They are involved in difficulties. Their conduct, it may be, is falsely represented. Their reputation is injured. These are evils which they cannot but deeply feel, and would gladly avoid. They naturally wish for an end to their trials; but they still submit themselves to the will of Christ, and leave both the time, and the manner of deliverance to his power and wisdom. They remember how long the Lord waited for their repentance; and shall they now refuse to tarry the Lord's leisure? Shall they think it long to wait for Christ, who waited so long for them? No. "Thy Will," they cry, "be done; not ours." Thou wilt appear for us, at the time, and

in the way, which Thou knowest to be best. We leave ourselves in thy hands. Do with us what is good in thy sight. We wait patiently for the Lord. We will

wait upon Him, and he shall renew our strength.'

It may be seen, then, on the whole, what is the character of true Christians. They assuredly believe that Christ will come to be their Judge. In that belief they now prepare for His coming; and without impatience faithfully endure unto the end. These are the persons who are now waiting for Christ. And these it is evident are the only persons who will have a real Interest in Him, at his appearing. For they are the only persons who really know Him; who really belong to Him; who really believe in Him; who really serve, obey, and honour Him. These therefore are the only persons who can have joy and confidence at his coming, These are the only persons who will be enabled to adopt the language of the Text, and say, "Lo, this is our God: we have waited for Him; and he will save us. This is the Lord: we have waited for Him: we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." As for all other persons, they must be filled with shame and terror at his coming: for they will know, that He is not their God. They waited not for Him on earth. They