This is gathered from verse 7. Now this may be understood, 1. of the end of all men, that live together, because a generation of men soone passeth away, and so the end of all those is properly said to be at hand. 2. It may also by the same reason be understood of the finall condition of all those: because looke how every one dyes, so shall he continue for ever, either happy or wretched. 3. It may also in some sort be understood of the end of the world. _Reason_ 1. Because these are the last ages, after which there is no comming of Christ to be expected, but unto judgement, nor any change of worship, but upon the consummation of all things. 2. Because the Lord doth not delay the promise of his comming, but prepares all things for himselfe, and in their order shewes forth the judgements of that day which is approaching. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish us, not to think with the evill servant that the comming of the Lord is farre off, but certainly to look for it, and accordingly to prepare our selves for that day, _Matthew 24.44,46._ Doctrine 2. _For the preparing of our selves aright against the comming of the Lord, it is chiefly required, that we should pray continually._ This is gathered from verse 7. _Reason_ 1. Because in our prayers we do stirre up our faith, hope, and desire touching those good things, which the Lord will impart unto us at his comming. 2. Because by our prayers we do turne aside and remove those evils from our selves, which make his comming dreadfull unto sinners: for by flying unto Gods mercy, we do flye both from our sinnes, and from his wrath. _Vse._ This may serve to exhort us, to be diligent in prayer. Doctrine 3. _Temperance and sobriety should be joyned with our prayers._ This is also gathered from verse 7. It is the same which is said every where, _Watch and pray_. _Reason_ 1. Because the effectuall consideration thereof, that the end of all things is at hand, makes us to love this world the lesse, and so to use it, as not to abuse it, that is, soberly and temperately, _1 Corinthians 7.31._ 2. Because these are the meanes whereby our prayers are helped and furthered; therefore it is said in the text, _Be sober and watch unto prayer_. _Vse._ This may serve to exhort us, to make conscience of doing our duty in prayer. Doctrine 4. _Above all things we should labour for brotherly love, that it may be sincere and fervent._ This is gathered from verse 8. Not that charity towards men is more excellent then faith hope and love towards God, but because it is the chiefest of those things which belong unto men, and should be preferred before all those things, which might any way hinder it. _Reason_ 1. Because love is the summe of the whole law, and so containes in it all other duties. 2. Because charity covers a multitude of sinnes, as it is in the text: _amongst men themselves, that they stirre not up anger, hatred, and contention_, _Proverbs 10.12._