The Excellencies of the Saint's Rest.
§ 1. The excellencies of the Saint's Rest are enumerated. § 2. (1.) It
is the purchased possession. § 3, 4. (2.) A free gift. § 5. (3.)
Peculiar to saints. § 6. (4.) An association with saints and angels.
§ 7. (5.) It derives its joys immediately from God himself. § 8. (6.) It
will be seasonable. § 9. (7.) Suitable. § 10-12. (8.) Perfect, without
sin and suffering. § 13. (9.) And everlasting. § 14. The chapter
concludes with a serious address to the reader.
§ 1. Let us draw a little nearer, and see what further excellencies this
rest affordeth. The Lord hide us _in the clefts of the rock, and cover
us with the hands_ of indulgent grace, while we approach to take this
view! This rest is excellent for being—a purchased possession;—a free
gift;—peculiar to saints;—an association with saints and angels; yet
deriving its joys immediately from God;—and because it will be a
seasonable,—suitable,—perfect,—and eternal rest.
§ 2. (1.) It is a most singular honor of the saint's rest, to be called
_the purchased possession_.[122] That is, the fruit of the blood of the
Son of God; yea, the chief fruit, the end and perfection of all the
fruits and efficacy of that blood. Greater love than this there is not,
to lay down the life of the lover. And to have this our Redeemer ever
before our eyes, and the liveliest sense and freshest remembrance of
that dying, bleeding love still upon our souls: How will it fill our
souls with perpetual joy, to think that in the streams of this blood we
have swam through the violence of the world, the snares of Satan, the
seducements of flesh, the curse of the law, the wrath of an offended
God, the accusations of a guilty conscience, and the vexing doubts and
fears of an unbelieving heart, and are arrived safe at the presence of
God! _Now_, he cries to us, _is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?
Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow!_[123] and we
scarce regard the mournful voice, nor scarce turn aside to view the
wounds. But _then_ our perfected souls will feel, and flame in love for
love. With what astonishing apprehensions will redeemed saints
everlastingly behold their blessed Redeemer? the purchaser, and the
price, together with the possession? Neither will the view of his wounds
of love, renew our wounds of sorrow. He, whose first words after his
resurrection were to a great sinner, _Woman, why weepest thou?_[124]
knows how to raise love and joy, without any cloud of sorrow, or storm
of tears. If any thing we enjoy was purchased with the life of our
dearest friend, how highly should we value it! If a dying friend deliver
us but a token of his love, how carefully do we preserve it! And still
remember him when we behold it, as if his own name were written on it!
And will not then the death and blood of our Lord everlastingly sweeten
our possessed glory! As we write down the price our goods cost us; so on
our righteousness and glory, write down the price, the _precious blood
of Christ_. His sufferings were to satisfy the justice that required
blood, and to bear what was due to sinners, and so to restore them to
the life they lost, and the happiness they fell from. The work of
Christ's redemption so well pleased the Father, that he gave him power
to advance his chosen, and give them the glory which was given to
himself, and all this _according to his good pleasure, and the counsel
of his own will_.[125]
[Footnote 122] Ephesians i, 14.
[Footnote 123] Lamentations i, 12.
[Footnote 124] John xx, 15.
[Footnote 125] Ephesians i, 9, 11.
§ 3. (2.) Another pearl in the saint's diadem is, that it is _a free
gift_. These two, _purchased_ and _free_, are the chains of gold which
make up the wreaths for the tops of the pillars in the temple of
God.[126] It was dear to Christ, but free to us. When Christ was to buy,
silver and gold were nothing worth; prayers and tears could not suffice,
not any thing below his blood; but our buying is receiving; we have it
freely, _without money and without price_.[127] A thankful acceptance of
a free acquittance is no paying of the debt. Here all is free; if the
Father freely give the Son, and the Son freely pay the debt; and if God
freely accepts that way of payment, when he might have required it of
the principal; and if both Father and Son freely offer us the purchased
life on our cordial acceptance, and if they freely send the Spirit to
enable us to accept; what is here then that is not free? Oh the
everlasting admiration that must needs surprize the saints to think of
this freeness! "What did the Lord see in me, that he should judge me
meet for such a state? That I, who was but a poor, diseased, despised
wretch, should be clad in the brightness of this glory! That I, a
creeping worm, should be advanced to this high dignity! That I, who was
but lately groaning, weeping, dying, should now be as full of joy as my
heart can hold! yea, should be taken from the grave, where I was
rotting, and from the dust and darkness, where I seemed forgotten, and
be here set before his throne! That I should be taken, with Mordecai,
from captivity, and be set next unto the king; and, with Daniel, from
the den, to be made ruler of princes and provinces! Who can fathom
unmeasurable love?" If worthiness were our condition for admittance, we
might sit down and _weep_ with St. John, _Because no man was found
worthy_. But _the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is worthy, and hath
prevailed_;[128] and by that title must we hold the inheritance. We
shall _offer_ there the _offering_ that David refused, even praise for
_that which cost us nothing_.[129] Here our commission runs, _freely ye
have received, freely give_;[130] but Christ has dearly bought, yet
freely gives.
[Footnote 126] 1 Kings vii, 17.
[Footnote 127] Isaiah lv, 1.
[Footnote 128] Revelation v, 4, 5.
[Footnote 129] 2 Samuel xxiv, 24.
[Footnote 130] Matthew x, 8.
§ 4. If it were only for nothing, and without our merit, the wonder were
great; but it is moreover against our merit, and against our long
endeavoring our own ruin. What an astonishing thought it will be, to
think of the unmeasurable difference between our deservings and
receivings! Between the state we should have been in, and the state we
are in! To look down upon hell, and see the vast difference that grace
hath made betwixt us and them! To see the inheritance there, which we
were born to, so different from that which we are _adopted_ to! What
pangs of love will it cause within us, to think, "_yonder_ was the place
that sin would have brought me to, but _this_ is it that Christ hath
brought me to! Yonder _death_ was _the wages of my sin_, but this
_eternal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ my Lord_![131]
_Who made me to differ?_[132] Had I not now been in those flames, if I
had had my own way, and been let alone to my own will? Should I not have
_lingered in Sodom_, till the flames had seized on me, if God had not in
mercy _brought me out_?"[133] Doubtless this will be our everlasting
admiration, that so rich a crown should fit the head of so vile a
sinner! That such high advancement, and such long unfruitfulness and
unkindness, can be the state of the same person! And that such vile
rebellions can conclude in such most precious joys! But no thanks to us,
nor to any of our duties and labors, much less to our neglects and
laziness; we know to whom the praise is due, and must be given for ever.
Indeed to this very end it was that infinite Wisdom cast the whole
design of man's salvation into this mould of purchase and freeness, that
the love and joy of man might be perfected, and the honor of grace most
highly advanced; that the thought of merit might neither cloud the one,
nor obstruct the other? and that on these two hinges the gate of heaven
might turn. So then let DESERVED be written on the door of hell, but on
the door of heaven and life, THE FREE GIFT.
[Footnote 131] Romans vi, 23.
[Footnote 132] 1 Corinthians iv, 7.
[Footnote 133] Genesis xix, 16.
§ 5. (3.) This rest is peculiar to saints, belongs to no other of all
the sons of men. If all Egypt had been light, the Israelites would not
have had the less; but to enjoy that light alone, while their neighbors
lived in thick darkness, must make them more sensible of their
privilege. Distinguishing mercy affects more than any mercy. If Pharaoh
had passed as safely as Israel, the Red Sea would have been less
remembered. If the rest of the world had not been drowned, and the rest
of Sodom and Gomorrah not burned, the saving of Noah had been no wonder,
nor Lot's deliverance so much talked of. When one is enlightened, and
another left in darkness; one reformed, and another by his lust
enslaved; it makes the saints cry out, _Lord, how is it that thou wilt
manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?_[134] When the prophet
is sent to one _widow_ only of all that _were in Israel_, and to
_cleanse_ one _Naaman_ of all the _lepers_,[135] the mercy is more
observable. That will sure be a day of passionate sense on both sides,
when _there shall be two in one bed_, and _two in the field, the one
taken, and the other left_.[136] The saints shall look down upon the
burning lake, and in the sense of their own happiness, and in the
approbation of God's just proceedings, they shall rejoice and sing,
_Thou art righteous, O Lord, which wast, art, and shalt be, because thou
hast judged thus_.[137]
[Footnote 134] John xiv, 22.
[Footnote 135] Luke iv, 25-27.
[Footnote 136] Luke xvii, 34, 36.
[Footnote 137] Revelation xvi, 5.
§ 6. (4.) But though this rest be proper to the saints, yet it is common
to all the saints; for it is an association of blessed spirits, both
saints and angels; a corporation of perfected saints, whereof Christ is
the Head; the communion of saints completed. As we have been together in
the labor, duty, danger, and distress; so shall we be in the great
recompense and deliverance. As we have been scorned and despised, so
shall we be owned and honored together. We, who have gone through the
day of sadness, shall enjoy together that day of gladness. Those, who
have been with us in persecution and prison, shall be with us also in
that palace of consolation. How oft have our groans made, as it were,
one sound? our tears one stream? and our desires one prayer? But now all
our praises shall make up one melody; all our churches, one church, and
all ourselves, one body; for we shall be all one in Christ, even, _as he
and the Father are one_.[138] 'Tis true, we must be careful, not to look
for that in the saints, which is alone in Christ. But if the forethought
of _sitting down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of
heaven_,[139] may be our lawful joy; how much more the real sight and
actual possession? It cannot choose but be comfortable to think of that
day, when we shall join with Moses in his song, with David, in his
psalms of praise, and with all the redeemed in _the song of the Lamb_
for ever;[140] when we shall see _Enoch walking with God_;[141] Noah
enjoying the end of his singularity; Joseph of his integrity; Job of his
patience; Hezekiah of his uprightness; and all the saints _the end of
their faith_.[142] Not only our old acquaintance, but all the saints, of
all ages, whose faces in the flesh we never saw, we shall there both
know, and comfortably enjoy. Yea, angels as well as saints, will be our
blessed acquaintance. Those, who now are willingly our _ministering
spirits_,[143] will willingly then be our companions in joy. They, who
had such joy in heaven for our conversion,[144] will gladly rejoice with
us in our glorification. Then we shall truly say, as David, _I am a
companion of all them that fear thee_;[145] _when we are come unto Mount
Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly, and church
of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of
all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the
Mediator of the new covenant_.[146] 'Tis a singular excellence of
heavenly rest, that we _are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the
houshold of God_.[147]
[Footnote 138] John xvii, 21.
[Footnote 139] Matthew viii, 11.
[Footnote 140] Revelation xv, 3.
[Footnote 141] Genesis v, 24.
[Footnote 142] 1 Pet. i, 9.
[Footnote 143] Heb. i, 14.
[Footnote 144] Luke xv, 7, 10.
[Footnote 145] Psal. cxix, 63.
[Footnote 146] Heb. xii, 22-24.
[Footnote 147] Eph. ii, 19.
§ 7. (5.) As another property of our rest, we shall derive its joys
immediately from God. Now we have nothing at all immediately, but at the
second or third hand, or how many, who knows? From the earth, from man,
from sun and moon, from the ministration of angels, and from the Spirit,
and Christ. Though in the hand of angels the stream savors not of the
imperfection of sinners, yet it does of the imperfection of creatures;
and as it comes from man, it savors of both. How _quick and piercing is
the word_ in itself?[148] Yet many times it never enters, being managed
by a feeble arm. What weight and worth is there in every passage of the
blessed gospel? Enough, one would think, to enter and force the dullest
soul, and wholly possess its thoughts and affections; and yet how oft
does it fall as water upon a stone? The things of God, which we handle,
are divine; but our manner of handling is human. There is little we
touch, but we leave the print of our fingers behind. If God speaks the
word himself, it will be a piercing, melting word indeed. The Christian
now knows by experience, that his most immediate joys are his sweetest
joys; which have least of man, and are most directly from the Spirit.
Christians, who are much in secret prayer and contemplation, are men of
the greatest life and joy; because they have all more immediately from
God himself. Not that we should cast off hearing, reading, and
conference, or neglect any ordinance of God: but to live above them,
while we use them, is the way of a Christian. There is joy in these
remote receivings; but the _fulness of joy is in God's_ immediate
_presence_.[149] We shall then have light without a candle, and
perpetual day without the sun; for _the city has no need of the sun,
neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God lightens it,
and the Lamb is the light thereof; there shall be no night there, and
they need no candle, neither light, for the Lord God giveth them light,
and they shall reign for ever and ever_.[150] We shall then have
enlightened understandings without Scripture, and be governed without a
written law; for the Lord will perfect his law in our hearts, and we
shall be all perfectly taught of God. We shall have joy, which we drew
not from the promises, nor fetched home by faith or hope. We shall have
communion without sacraments, without _this fruit of the vine, when
Christ shall drink it new with us in his Father's kingdom_,[151] and
refresh us with the comforting wine of immediate enjoyment. To have
necessities, but no supply, is the case of them in hell. To have
necessity supplied by means of the creatures, is the case of us on
earth. To have necessity supplied immediately from God, is the case of
the saints in heaven. To have no necessity at all, is the prerogative of
God himself.
[Footnote 148] Heb. iv, 12.
[Footnote 149] Psalm xvi, 11.
[Footnote 150] Revelation xxi, 23. xxii, 5.
[Footnote 151] Matthew xxvi, 29.
§ 8. (6.) A farther excellence of this rest is, that it will be
seasonable. He that expects _the fruit of his vineyard at the
season_,[152] and makes his people _like a tree planted by the rivers of
water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season_,[153] will also give
them the crown in season. He that will have _a word of joy spoken in
season, to him that is weary_,[154] will surely cause the time of joy to
appear in the fittest season. They who _are not weary in well doing,
shall, if they faint not, reap in due season_.[155] If God _giveth rain_
even to his enemies, _both the former and the latter in his season_, and
_reserveth the appointed weeks of harvest, and covenants that there
shall be day and night in their season_;[156] then surely the glorious
harvest of the saints shall not miss its season. Doubtless he that would
not stay a day longer than his promise, but brought Israel out of Egypt
on _the self same day when the four hundred and thirty years_ were
expired;[157] neither will he fail of one day or hour of the fittest
season for his people's glory. When we have had in this world a long
night of darkness, will not the day breaking and the rising of the Sun
of Righteousness, be then seasonable? When we have passed a long and
tedious journey, through no small dangers, is not home then seasonable?
When we have had a long and perilous war, and received many a wound,
would not a peace with victory be seasonable? Men live in a continual
weariness; especially the saints, who are most weary of that which the
world cannot feel. Some weary of a blind mind; some, of a hard heart;
some, of their daily doubts and fears, some of the want of spiritual
joys; and some, of the sense of God's wrath. And when a poor Christian
hath desired, and prayed, and waited for deliverance many years, is it
not then seasonable? We grudge that we do not find a Canaan in the
Wilderness; or the songs of Sion in a strange land; that we have not a
harbor in the main ocean, nor our rest in the heat of the day, nor
heaven before we leave the earth; and would not all this be very
unseasonable.
[Footnote 152] Mark xii, 2.
[Footnote 153] Psalm i, 3.
[Footnote 154] Isaiah i, 4.
[Footnote 155] Galatians vi, 9.
[Footnote 156] Jeremiah v, 24. xxxiii, 20.
[Footnote 157] Exodus xii, 40, 41.
§ 9. (7.) As this rest will be seasonable, so it will be suitable. The
new nature of the saints doth suit their spirits to this rest. Indeed
their holiness is nothing else but a spark taken from this element, and
by the Spirit of Christ kindled in their hearts; the flame whereof,
mindful of its own divine original, ever tends to the place from whence
it comes. Temporal crowns and kingdoms could not make a rest for saints.
As they _were not redeemed with_ so low a price,[158] neither are they
endued with so low a nature. As God will have from them a spiritual
worship, suited to his own spiritual being, he will provide them a
spiritual rest, suitable to their spiritual nature. The knowledge of God
and his Christ, a delightful complacency in that mutual love, an
everlasting rejoicing in the enjoyment of our God, with a perpetual
singing of his high praises; this is a heaven for a saint. Then we shall
live in our own element. We are now as the fish in a vessel of water,
only so much as will keep them alive; but what is that to the ocean! We
have a little air let into us, to afford us breathing; but what is that
to the sweet and fresh gales upon Mount Sion? We have a beam of the sun
to lighten our darkness, and a warm ray to keep us from freezing; but
then we shall live in its light, and be revived by its heat for ever. As
the natures of saints are, such are their desires; and it is the desires
of our renewed nature which this rest is suited to. Whilst our desires
remain corrupted and misguided, it is a far greater mercy to deny them,
yea, to destroy them, than to satisfy them: but those which are
spiritual are of his own _planting_, and he will surely _water_ them,
and _give the increase_. He quickened our hunger and thirst for
righteousness, that he might make us happy in a full satisfaction.
Christian, this is a rest after thy own heart; it contains all that thy
heart can wish; that which thou longest, prayest, laborest for, _there_
thou shalt find it all. Thou hadst rather have God in Christ, than all
the world: there thou shalt have him. What wouldst thou not give for
assurance of his love? There thou shalt have assurance without
suspicion. Desire what thou canst, and ask what thou wilt, as a
Christian, and it shall be given thee, not only to half of the kingdom,
but to the enjoyment both of kingdom and King. This is a life of desire
and prayer, but that is a life of satisfaction and enjoyment.—This rest
is very suitable to the saints's necessities also, as well as to their
natures and desires. It contains whatsoever they truly wanted; not
supplying them with gross created comforts, which, like Saul's armor on
David, are more burden than benefit. It was Christ and perfect holiness
which they most needed, and with these shall they be supplied.
[Footnote 158] 1 Peter i, 18.
§ 10. (8.) Still more, this rest will be absolutely perfect. We shall
then have joy without sorrow, and rest without weariness. There is no
mixture of corruption with our graces, nor of suffering with our
comfort. There are none of those waves in that harbor, which now so toss
us up and down. To-day we are well, to-morrow sick; to-day in esteem,
to-morrow in disgrace; to-day we have friends, to-morrow none; nay, we
have wine and vinegar in the same cup. If _revelations_ raise us _to the
third heaven_, _the messenger of Satan_ must presently _buffet_ us, and
_the thorn in the flesh_ fetch us down.[159] But there is none of this
inconstancy in heaven. If _perfect love casteth out fear_,[160] then
perfect joy must needs cast out sorrow, and perfect happiness exclude
all the reliques of misery. We shall there rest from all the evil of sin
and of suffering.
[Footnote 159] 2 Corinthians xii, 2, 7.
[Footnote 160] 1 John iv, 18.
§ 11. Heaven excludes nothing more directly than sin; whether of nature,
or of conversation. _There shall in no wise enter any thing that
defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie._[161]
What need Christ at all to have died, if heaven could have contained
imperfect souls? _For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that
he might destroy the works of the devil._[162] His blood and spirit have
not done all this, to leave us after all defiled. _What communion hath
light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial?_[163]
Christian, if thou be once in heaven, thou shalt sin no more. Is not
this glad news to thee, who hast prayed, and watched against it so long?
I know, if it were offered to thy choice, thou wouldst rather choose to
be freed from sin, than have all the world. Thou shalt have thy
desire.—That hard heart, those vile thoughts, which accompanied thee to
every duty, shall now be left behind for ever. Thy understanding shall
never more be troubled with darkness. All dark scriptures shall be made
plain; all seeming contradictions reconciled. The poorest Christian is
presently there a more perfect divine than any here. O that happy day,
when error shall vanish for ever! When our understanding shall be filled
with God himself, whose light will leave no darkness in us! His face
shall be the scripture, where we shall read the truth. Many a godly man
hath here, in his mistaken zeal, been a means to deceive and pervert his
brethren, and when he sees his own error, cannot again tell how to
undeceive them. But there we shall conspire in one truth, as being one
in Him who is the truth. We shall also rest from all the sin of our
will, affection, and conversation. We shall no more retain this
rebelling principle, which is still drawing us from God: no more be
oppressed with the power of our corruptions, nor vexed with their
presence: no pride, passion, slothfulness, insensibility, shall enter
with us; no strangeness to God, and the things of God; no coldness of
affections, nor imperfection in our love; no uneven walking, nor
grieving of the Spirit; no scandalous action, nor unholy conversation;
we shall rest from all these for ever. Then shall our will correspond to
the Divine will, as face answers face in a glass, and from which, as our
law and rule, we shall never swerve. _For he that is entered into his
rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his._[164]
[Footnote 161] Revelation xxi, 27.
[Footnote 162] 1 John iii, 8.
[Footnote 163] 2 Corinthians vi, 14, 15.
[Footnote 164] Hebrews iv, 10.
§ 12. Our sufferings were but the consequences of our sinning, and in
heaven they both shall cease together. We shall rest from all our doubts
of God's love. It shall no more be said, that "Doubts are like the
thistle, a bad weed, but growing in good ground."[165] They shall now be
weeded out, and trouble the gracious soul no more. We shall hear that
kind of language no more, "What shall I do to know my state? How shall I
know that God is my Father? that my heart is upright? that conversion is
true? that faith is sincere? I am afraid my sins are unpardoned; that
all I do is hypocrisy; that God will reject me; that he does not hear my
prayers." All this is there turned into praise. We shall rest from all
sense of God's displeasure. Hell shall not be mixed with heaven. At
times the gracious soul _remembered God, and was troubled; complained,
and was overwhelmed, and refused to be comforted_; Divine _wrath lay
hard upon him, and God afflicted him with all his waves_.[166] But that
blessed day shall convince us, that though God _hid his face from us for
a moment_, yet _with everlasting kindness will he have mercy on
us_.[167] We shall rest from all _temptations of Satan_. What a grief is
it to a Christian, though he yield not to the temptation, yet to be
solicited to deny his Lord? What a torment, to have such horrid motions
made to his soul? such blasphemous ideas presented to his imagination?
Sometimes cruel thoughts of God, undervaluing thoughts of Christ,
unbelieving thoughts of Scripture, or injurious thoughts of Providence?
To be tempted sometimes to turn to present things, to play with the
baits of sin, and venture on the delights of flesh, and sometimes to
atheism itself? Especially when we know the treachery of our own hearts,
ready, as tinder, to take fire, as soon as one of these sparks shall
fall upon them? Satan hath power here to tempt us _in the wilderness_,
but he entereth not _the holy city_; he may _set us on a pinnacle of the
temple_ in the _earthly Jerusalem_, but the _new Jerusalem_ he may not
approach; he may _take us up into an exceeding high mountain_, but the
_Mount Sion_ he cannot ascend; and if he could, _all the kingdoms of the
world and the glory of them_,[168] would be a despised bait to a soul
possessed of the kingdom of our Lord. No, 'tis in vain for Satan to
offer a tempation more.—All our _temptations from the world and the
flesh_ shall also cease. O the hourly dangers that we here walk in!
Every sense, and member, is a snare; every creature, every mercy, and
every duty, is a snare to us. We can scarce open our eyes, but we are in
danger of envying those above us, or despising those below us; of
coveting the honors and riches of some, or beholding the rags and
beggary of others with pride and unmercifulness. If we see beauty, 'tis
a bait to lust; if deformity, to loathing and disdain. How soon do
slanderous reports, vain jests, wanton speeches, creep into the heart!
How constant and strong a watch does our appetite require! Have we
comeliness and beauty? What fuel for pride! Are we deformed? What an
occasion of repining! Have we strength of reason, and gifts of learning?
O how prone to be puffed up, hunt after applause, and despise our
brethren! Are we unlearned! How apt then to despise what we have not!
Are we in places of authority? How strong is the temptation to abuse our
trust, make our will our law, and cut out all the enjoyments of others
by the rules and model of our own interest and policy! Are we inferiors?
How prone to grudge at others' pre-eminence, and bring their actions to
the bar of our judgment! Are we rich, and not too much exalted? Are we
poor, and not discontented? Are we not lazy in our duties, or make a
Christ of them? Not that God hath made all these things our snares; but
through our own corruption they become so to us. Ourselves are the
greatest snare to ourselves. This is our comfort, our rest will free us
from all these. As Satan hath no entrance there, so neither hath any
thing to serve his malice! but all things there shall join with us in
the high praises of our great Deliverer.—As we rest from the
temptations, we shall likewise from _the abuses and persecutions of the
world_. The prayers of _the souls under the altar_ will then be
answered, and God will _avenge their blood on them that dwell on the
earth_.[169] _This_ is the time for crowning with thorns; _that_ for
crowning with glory. _Now, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus,
shall suffer persecution_;[170] _then_ they _that suffered with him_,
shall _be glorified with him_.[171] _Now_ we must _be hated of all men
for Christ's name's sake_.[172] _Then_ Christ will _be admired in his
saints_ that were thus hated.[173] _We are_ here _made a spectacle unto
the world, and to angels, and to men; as the filth of the world, and the
off-scouring of all things_;[174] _men separate us from their company,
and reproach us, and cast out our names as evil_:[175] But we shall then
be as much gazed at for our glory; and they will be shut out of the
church of the saints, and separated from us, whether they will or not.
We can now scarce pray in our families, or sing praises to God, but our
voice is a vexation to them: how must it torment them then, to see us
praising and rejoicing, while they are howling and lamenting! You,
brethren, who can now attempt no work of God, without losing the love of
the world, consider you shall have none in heaven but will further your
work, and join heart and voice with you in your everlasting joy and
praise. Till then, _possess ye your souls in patience_.[176] Bind all
reproaches as a crown to your heads. Esteem them greater riches than the
world's treasures. _It is a righteous thing with God, to recompense
tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you, who are troubled, rest
with Christ._[177]—We shall then rest from all our sad divisions, and
unchristian quarrels with one another. How lovingly do thousands live
together in heaven, who lived at variance upon earth! There is no
contention, because none of this pride, ignorance, or other corruption.
There is no plotting to strengthen our party, nor deep designing against
our brethren. If there be sorrow or shame in heaven, we shall then be
both sorry and ashamed to remember all this carriage on earth; as
Joseph's brethren were to behold him, when they remembered their former
unkind usage. Is it not enough that all the world is against us, but we
must also be against one another? O happy days of persecution, which
drove us together in love, whom the sunshine of liberty and prosperity
crumbles into dust by our contentions! O happy day of the saint's rest
in glory, when, as there is one God, one Christ, one Spirit, so we shall
have one heart, one church, one employment for ever!—We shall then rest
from our participation of our brethren's sufferings. The church on earth
is a mere hospital; some groaning under a dark understanding, some under
an insensible heart, some languishing under unfruitful weakness, and
some bleeding for miscarriages and wilfulness, some crying out of their
poverty, some groaning under pains and infirmities, and some bewailing a
whole catalogue of calamities. But a far greater grief it is, to see our
dearest and most intimate friends turned aside from the truth of Christ,
continuing their neglect of Christ and their souls, and nothing will
awaken them out of their security: To look on an ungodly father or
mother, brother or sister, wife or husband, child or friend, and think
how certainly they shall be in hell for ever, if they die in their
present unregenerate state: To think of the gospel departing, the glory
taken from our Israel, poor souls left willingly dark and destitute, and
blowing out the light that should guide them to salvation! Our day of
rest will free us from all this, _and the days of mourning shall be
ended_; then _thy people_, O Lord, _shall be all righteous; they shall
inherit the land for ever, the branch of thy planting, the work of thy
hands, that thou mayest be glorified_.[178]—Then we shall rest from all
our own personal sufferings. This may seem a small thing to those that
live in ease and prosperity; but to the daily afflicted soul it makes
the thoughts of heaven delightful. O the dying life we now live! as full
of sufferings as of days and hours! Our Redeemer leaves this measure of
misery upon us, to make us know for what we are beholden, to mind us of
what we should else forget, to be serviceable to his wise and gracious
designs, and advantageous to our full and final recovery. Grief enters
at every sense, seizes every part and power of flesh and spirit. What
noble part is there, that suffereth its pain or ruin alone? But sin and
flesh, dust and pain, will all be left behind together. O the blessed
tranquillity of that region, where there is nothing but sweet, continued
peace! O healthful place, where none are sick! O fortunate land, where
all are kings! O holy assembly, where all are priests! How free a state,
where none are servants, but to their supreme Monarch! The poor man
shall no more be tired with his labors: _No more hunger or thirst_, cold
or nakedness: No pinching frosts or scorching heats. Our faces shall no
more be pale or sad: No more breaches in friendship, nor parting of
friends asunder; no more trouble accompanying our relations, nor voice
of lamentation heard in our dwellings: _God shall wipe away all tears
from our eyes_.[179] O my soul, bear with the infirmities of thine
earthly tabernacle; it will be thus but a little while; _the sound of_
thy Redeemer's _feet is even at the door_.—We shall also rest from all
_the toil of duties_. The conscientious magistrate, parent, and
minister, cries out, "O the burden that lieth upon me!" Every relation,
state, age, hath variety of duties; so that every conscientious
Christian cries out, "O the burden! O my weakness, that makes it
burdensome!" But our remaining rest will ease us of the burdens.—Once
more we shall rest from all those troublesome afflictions which
necessarily accompany our absence from God. The trouble that is mixt in
our desires and hopes, our longings and waitings, shall then cease. We
shall no more look into our cabinet, and miss our treasure; into our
hearts, and miss our Christ; no more seek him from ordinance to
ordinance; but all be concluded in a most full and blessed enjoyment.
[Footnote 165] Dr. John Preston.
[Footnote 166] Psalm lxxvii, 2, 3. lxxxviii, 7.
[Footnote 167] Isaiah liv, 9.
[Footnote 168] Matthew iv, 1, 5, 8.
[Footnote 169] Revelation vi, 9, 10.
[Footnote 170] 2 Timothy iii, 12.
[Footnote 171] Romans viii, 17.
[Footnote 172] Matthew x, 22.
[Footnote 173] 2 Thessalonians i, 10.
[Footnote 174] 1 Corinthians iv, 9, 13.
[Footnote 175] Luke, vi, 22.
[Footnote 176] Luke xxi, 19.
[Footnote 177] 2 Thessalonians i, 6, 7.
[Footnote 178] Isaiah lx, 20, 21.
[Footnote 179] Revelation vii, 16, 17.
§ 13. (9.) The last jewel of our crown is, that it will be an
everlasting rest. Without this all were comparatively nothing. The very
thought of leaving it, would embitter all our joys. It would be a hell
in heaven, to think of once losing heaven: As it would be a kind of
heaven to the damned, had they but hopes of once escaping. Mortality is
the disgrace of all sublunary delights. How it spoils our pleasure, to
see it dying in our hands! But, O blessed eternity! where our lives are
perplexed with no such thoughts, nor our joys interrupted with any such
fears! where we shall be _pillars in the temple of our God, and go no
more out_.[180] While we were _servants_, we held by lease, and that but
for the term of a transitory life; _but the son abideth in the house for
ever_.[181] "O my soul, let go thy dreams of present pleasures, and
loose thy hold of earth and flesh. Study frequently, study thoroughly,
this one word, _eternity_. What! Live, and never die! Rejoice, and ever
rejoice!" O happy souls in hell, should you but escape, after millions
of ages! O miserable saints in heaven, should you be dispossessed, after
the age of millions of worlds! This word, _everlasting_, contains the
perfection of their torment, and our glory. O that the sinner would
study this word, methinks it would startle him out of his dead sleep! O
that the gracious soul would study it, methinks it should revive him in
his deepest agony! "And must I, Lord, thus live for ever? Then will I
also love for ever. Must my joys be immortal? And shall not my thanks be
also immortal? Surely, if I shall never lose my glory, I will never
cease thy praises. If thou wilt both perfect, and perpetuate me and my
glory; as I shall be thine, and not my own; so shall my glory be thy
glory. And as thy glory was thy ultimate end in my glory; so shall it
also be my end, when thou hast crowned me with that glory which hath no
end. _Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only-wise God, be
honor and glory, for ever and ever. Amen._"[182]
[Footnote 180] Revelation iii, 12.
[Footnote 181] John viii, 35.
[Footnote 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]
[Footnote 183] Hebrews iii, 19.