60 CHARACTER OF THOSE FOR [Chap. 4. ment, for all the world ? If this be truly thy case, thou art one of the people of God in my text ; and as sure as the promise of God is true, this blessed rest remains for thee. Only see thou "abide in Christ," and " endure to the end;" for " if any man draw back, his soul shall have no pleasure in him." But if no such work be found within thee, what-. ever thy deceived heart may think, or how strong soever thy false hopes may be, thou wilt find to thy cost, except thorough conversion prevent it, that the rest of the saints belongs not to thee. " 0 that thou wert wise, that thou wouldst understand this, that thou wouldst consider thy latter end !" that yet, while thy soul is in thy body, and " a price in thy hand," and opportunity and hope before thee, thine ears may be open, and thy heart yield to the persuasions of God, that so thou mightest rest among his people, and enjoy "the inheritance of the saints in light !" That this rest shall be enjoyed by the people of God, is a truth which the Scripture, if its testimony be further needed, clearly asserts in a variety of ways; as, for in- stance, that they are " foreordained to it, and it for them. God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city." They are styled " vessels of mercy, afore prepared unto glory." " In Christ they have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the coun- sel of his own will." And " whom he did predestinate, them he also glorified." Who can bereave his people of that rest which is designed for them by God's eternal pur- pose ? Scripture tells us, they are " redeemed to this rest. By the blood of Jesus, we have boldness to enter into the holiest;" whether that entrance means by faith and prayer here, or by full possession hereafter. Therefore the saints in heaven sing a new song unto him who has " redeemed them to God by his blood, out of everykindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and made them kings and priests unto God." Either Christ, then, must lose his blood and sufferings, and never " see of the travail of his soul," or else " there remaineth a rest to the people of God." In Scripture this rest is promised to them. As the firma- ment with stars, so are the sacred pages bespangled with these divine engagements. Christ says, " Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
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