WHO SHALL ENJOY THIS REST. 71 peace, "(n) will undoubtedly bring ins to the end of peace. How nearly are the means and end conjoin- ed ! " The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (o) They that " follow Christ in the regeneration, shall sit upon thrones of glory. "(p) Scripture assures us, that the saints have the beginnings, foretastes, earnests, and seals, of this rest here. " The' kingdom of God is within them.(q) Though they have not seen Christ, yet loving him, and believing in him, they rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory ; receiving the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls.(r) They rejoice in hope of the glory of God. "(s) And does God seal them with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of their inheritance, and will he deny the All possession ?(1) The scripture also men- tions, by name, those who have entered into this rest ; as Enoch, Abraham, Lazarus, the thief that was crucified with Christ, &c. , And if there be a rest for these, sure there is a rest for all believers. But it is vain to heap up scripture proofs, seeing it is the very end of scripture to be a guide to lead us to this blessed state, and to be the charter and grant by which we hold all our title to it. § 14. Scripture not only proves, that this rest re- mains for the people of God, but also that it remains for none but them ; so that the rest of the world shall have no part in it. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.(u) Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.(w) No whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, bath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.(w) The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the na- tions that forget God.(y) They all shall be damned, who believe not the truth, but have pleasure in un- (n) Luke i. 79. (q) Luke xvii. 21. (t) Ephes. i. 13, 14. (o) Matt. xi. 12. (r) 1 Pet. i. 8. 9. (u) Heb. xii. 14. (p) Matt. xix. 28. (s) Rom. v. 2. (w) John iii. 3, 36. (ai) Ephes. v. 5. (y) Psalm ix. 17.
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