[184] Colossians iii, 11.
§ 2. (1.) The persons for whom this rest is designed, whom the text calls the people of God, are the chosen of God from eternity.[185] That they are but a small part of mankind, is too apparent in Scripture and experience. They are the little flock, to whom it is their Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom.[186] Fewer they are than the world imagines; yet not so few as some drooping spirits think, who are suspicious that God is unwilling to be their God, when they know themselves willing to be his people.
[185] Ephesians i, 4, 5.
[186] Luke xii, 32.
§ 3. (2.) These persons are given of God to his Son, to be by him redeemed from their lost state, and advanced to this glory. God hath given all things to his Son, but not as he hath given his chosen to him. God hath given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him.[187] The difference is clearly expressed by the apostle; he hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.[188] And though Christ is, in some sense, a ransom for all,[189] yet not in that special manner as for his people.
[187] John xvii, 2.
[188] Ephesians i, 22.
[189] Timothy ii, 6.
§ 4. (3.) One great qualification of these persons is, that they are born again.[190] To be the people of God without regeneration, is as impossible as to be the children of men without generation. Seeing we are born God's enemies, we must be new born his sons, or else remain enemies still. The greatest reformation of life that can be attained to without this new life wrought in the soul, may procure our farther delusion, but never our salvation.
[190] John iii, 3.