TO THE SAINT'S REST. 35 Shall ttfe wicked behold him and cry, "Yonder is he, whose blood we neglected, whose grace we resisted, whose counsels we refused, whose government we cast off ?" And shall not the saints, with inconceivable gladness, cry, " Yonder is he, whose blood redeemed us, whose Spirit cleansed us, whose law did govern us, in whom we trusted, and he hath not deceived our trust ; for whom we long waited, and now we see we have not waited in vain ? O cursed corruption, that would have had us turn to the world and present things, and say, " Why should we wait for the Lord any longer ?"(i) Now we see "blessed are all they that wait for him."(k) And now, Christians, should we not put up that petition heartily, " Thy kingdom come !" The Spirit and the Bride say, Come ; and let him that heareth and readeth say, Come. Our Lord himself says, Surely I come quickly. Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus.(l) § 4 (2) Another thing that leads to paradise is, that great work of Jesus Christ, in raising our bodies from the dust, and uniting them again into the soul. A wonderful effect of infinite power and love ! Yea, wonderful indeed, says unbelief, if it be true. What ! shall all these scattered bones and dust become a man ? Let me with reverence plead for God, for that power whereby I hope to arise. What beareth the massy body of the earth ? What limits the vast ocean of the waters? Whence is that constant ebbing and flowing of the tides ? How many times larger than all the earth is the sun, that glorious body of light ? Is it not as easy to raise the dead, as to make heaven and earth and all of nothing ? Look not on the dead bones, and dust, and difficulty, but at the promise. Contentedly commit these carcases to a prison, that shall not long contain them. Let us lie down in peace and take our rest : it will not be an everlasting night, nor endless sleep. If unclothing be the thing thou fearest, it is that thou mayest have better clothing.(rn) If to be turned out of doors be the thing thou fearest, (i) 2 Kings vi. 33. (k) Isa. xxx. 18. (l) Rev. xx. 17, (m) 2 Cor. v. 4.
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