BOOK II.—The Demeanour of a Christian
hastening unto the coming of the day of the Lord;' that is, despatching and doing all we can for our lives against that day; and if we have neglected our time, let us begin now to hasten, and to be holy in all manner of conversations. It is expressed in the plural number, to instruct us that in all ways, towards a man's self and towards others, and in all duties towards God, we should be holy.
Our lives should, as it were, be in a hurry after the day of judgment; as those that are to remove at the quarter-day, they hasten to do all against the time. Let a man think with himself, I must have all my time filled up, with every grace I must abound, and hold forth Christ in everything, in every condition, and in every relation; and the more fruitful I have been, I shall appear so at the latter day, and it shall all redound to my account. Let a man consider this; it will make him to be like one in a continual haste, despatching as much business as he can for his life.
BOOK II The demeanour of a Christian, as it is expressed under the notion of friendship with God.—The example of Abraham's being the friend of God.—How, in the sense of the apostle James, he was justified by works.—How great, excellent, and kind a friend God is to us.—How this consideration should engage us in a sincere friendship to him.—
What are the duties and offices to be performed by us, as proper and owing to such a friendship?—Of the behaviour of a Christian, as it is named service to God.