Matthew 24:44 Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes. It was s wish that Christ, when He came, might find him either praying or preaching. It was Latimers wish (and he had it) that he might shed his heart-blood for Christ. It was Jewel's wish that he might die preaching, and he did so, for presently, after his last sermon at Lacock, in Wiltshire, he was, by reason of sickness, forced to his bed, from whence he never came off till his translation to glory. I have heard the like of Mr. Lancaster, a precious man of God, some time pastor of Bloxham, in Oxfordshire, a man very famous for his living by faith. Cushamerns, a Dutch divine, and one of the first preachers of the gospel at Erfurt, in Germany, had his pulpit poisoned by the malicious Papists there, and so took his death in God's work. "What l would you that the Lord, when He comes, should find me idle?" said Calvin to his friends, who wished him to forbear studying awhile for his health's sake. And such a like answer made Dr. Reynolds to his physician upon the like occasion. Elijah was going on and talking with Elisha (about heavenly things, no doubt) when the chariot of heaven came to fetch him. There can be no better posture or state for the messenger of our dissolution to find-us in than in a diligent prosecution of our general or particular calling. (John Trapp.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.WEB: Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come. |