[180] Revelation iii, 12.
[181] John viii, 35.
[182] 1 Timothy i, 17.
§ 14. Thus I have endeavored to shew you a glimpse of approaching glory. But how short are my expressions of its excellency! Reader, if thou be an humble, sincere believer, and waitest with longing and laboring for this rest, thou wilt shortly see, and feel the truth of all this. Thou wilt then have so high an apprehension of this blessed state, as will make thee pity the ignorance and distance of mortals, and will tell thee, all that is here said falls short of the whole truth a thousand fold. In the mean time, let this much kindle thy desires and quicken thy endeavors: Up, and be doing, run, and strive, and fight, and hold on; for thou hast a certain, glorious prize before thee. God will not mock thee; do not mock thyself, nor betray thy soul by delaying, and all is thine own. What kind of men, dost thou think, would Christians be in their lives and duties, if they had still this glory fresh in their thoughts? What frame would their spirits be in, if their thoughts of heaven were lively and believing? Would their hearts be so heavy? their countenances be so sad? or would they have need to take up their comforts from below? Would they be so loth to suffer; so afraid to die; or would they not think every day a year till they enjoy it? May the Lord heal our carnal hearts, lest we enter not into this rest because of unbelief![183]
[183] Hebrews iii, 19.
CHAP. IV.
The Character of the Persons for whom this rest is designed.
§ 1. 'Tis wonderful that such rest should be designed for mortals. § 2. The people of God, who shall enjoy this rest, are, (1.) Chosen from eternity. § 3. (2.) Given to Christ. § 4. (3.) Born again. § 5-8. (4.) Deeply convinced of the evil of sin, their misery by sin, the vanity of the creature, and the all-sufficiency of Christ. § 9. (5.) Their will is proportionably changed. § 10. (6.) They engage in covenant with Christ. § 11. and, (7.) They persevere in their engagements. § 12. The reader invited to examine himself by these characteristics of God's people. § 13. Further testimony from Scripture that this rest shall be enjoyed by the people of God. § 14. Also that none but they shall enjoy it. § 15-16. And that it remains for them, and is not to be enjoyed till they come to another world. § 17. The chapter concludes with shewing, that their souls shall enjoy this rest while separated from their bodies.
§ 1. While I was in the mount, describing the excellencies of the saint's rest, I felt it was good being there, and therefore tarried the longer; and was there not an extreme disproportion between my conceptions and the subject, much longer had I been. Can a prospect of that happy land be tedious? Having read of such an high and unspeakable glory, a stranger would wonder for what rare creature this mighty preparation should be made, and expect some illustrious sun should break forth. But behold! only a shellfull of dust, animated with an invisible, rational soul, and that rectified with as unseen a restored power of grace; and this is the creature that must possess such glory. You would think it must needs be some deserving piece, or one that brings a valuable price: But behold! one that hath nothing; and can deserve nothing; yea, that deserves the contrary, and would, if he might proceed in that deserving; but being apprehended by love, he is brought to him that is All;[184] and most affectionately receiving him, and resting on him, he doth, in and through him, receive all this. More particularly, the persons for whom this rest is designed, are—chosen of God from eternity;—given to Christ, as their Redeemer;—born again;—deeply convinced of the evil and misery of a sinful state, the vanity of the creature, and the all-sufficiency of Christ:—their will is renewed;—they engage themselves to Christ in covenant;—and they persevere in their engagements to the end.