Post by Admin on Feb 2, 2024 17:14:11 GMT -5
The Best Things Reserved Until Last
"An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and which fades
not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4
I have chosen this text upon a double ground.
1. To make a diversion of immoderate sorrow and grief from my own
spirit and yours, who are most nearly concerned in this sad loss. And,
2. Because it will afford us matter most suitable to the blessed state
and condition of this glorified saint, at whose funeral we are here met.
In the inscription, verses 1 and 2, you have first a holy salutation,
showing first by whom this epistle was written, namely, Peter, an
apostle of Jesus Christ; secondly, to whom it was written. Now they
are described two ways: first, by their outward condition, "strangers,
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and
Bithynia." There are divers opinions about these strangers—but the
most common and received opinion among the learned is, that Peter
wrote this epistle to the converted Jews, scattered through the
provinces in Asia, who met with much opposition and affliction for
the gospel's sake. Secondly, they are described by their spiritual and
inward condition, which is set forth,
(1.) By the fundamental cause of it, namely, election of God.
(2.) By the final cause, namely, sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience.
(3.) By the subservient cause, namely, reconciliation, conferred in
obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
In the third verse you have, (1.) A very stately prelude, and such as
can hardly be matched again, "Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ." (2.) You have regeneration or effectual calling
described, and that
[1.] First, By the principal efficient cause thereof, which is, "God the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
[2.] By the impulsive cause thereof, the mercy of God, which is
described by the quantity of it, "abundant."
[3.] By the immediate effect thereof, a "lively hope," the singular
cause whereof is showed to be the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead, 1 John 3:2-3. Now hope is called a lively hope,
[1.] Because it makes a man lively and active for God and goodness.
[2.] Because it cheers, comforts, and revives the soul. It brings, it
breeds, it feeds, it preserves spiritual life in the soul. This lively hope
is like Myrtilus' shield, which after the use he had of it in the field,
having it with him at sea, and suffering shipwreck, it served him for a
boat to waft him to shore, and so preserved his life. This lively hope
is a shield ashore, and an anchor at sea.
[3.] It is called a lively hope, in opposition to the fading, withering,
dying hopes of hypocrites, and profane people, "Whose hope is as a
spider's web," "the crackling of thorns under a pot."
A Christian's hope is not like that of Pandora, which may fly out of
the box, and bid the soul farewell; no, it is like the morning light: the
least beam of it shall commence into a complete sunshine; it shall
shine forth brighter and brighter until perfect day; but the
hypocrite's hope, the presumptuous sinner's hope is like a cloud, or
the morning dew.
Now, in my text you have the object about which this "lively hope" is
exercised; and that is, "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
and which fades not away" [What these words import I shall show
you when I open that doctrine which I intend to stand upon at this
time], "reserved in heaven for you."
There are three heavens: the first is the airy heaven, where the fowls
of heaven do fly; the second is where the stars of heaven are; the
third is the heaven of the blessed, where God appears in eminency,
and where Christ shines in glory; and this is the heaven the text
speaks of.
The text will afford several points—but I shall only name one, which I
intend to stand on at this time, and that is this,
DOCTRINE. God reserves the best and greatest favors and blessings
for believers until they come to heaven.
The Best Rest is Reserved for Believers
Until They Come to Heaven.
This life is full of trials, full of troubles, and full of changes. Sin
within, and Satan and the world without, will keep a Christian from
rest, until he comes to rest in the bosom of Christ. The life of a
Christian is a race—and what rest have they that are still a-running
their race? The life of a Christian is a warfare—and what rest have
they that are still engaged in a constant warfare? The life of a
Christian is the life of a pilgrim—and what rest has a pilgrim, who is
still a-traveling from place to place? A pilgrim is like Noah's dove,
which could find no rest for the sole of her foot. The fears, the snares,
the cares, the changes, etc., which attend believers in this world, are
such that will keep them from taking up their rest here on earth. A
Christian hears that word always sounding in his ears, "Arise, for this
is not your resting-place, because it is polluted." Micah 2:10. A man
may as well expect to find heaven in hell, as expect to find rest in this world!
It was the complaint of Ambrose, What misery do we undergo in
this life? What storms and tempests do we endure? with what
troubles are we tossed? Who is spared? Man's sorrows begin when
his days begin, and his sorrows are multiplied as his days are
multiplied; his whole life is but one continued grief; labor wears him,
care tears him, fears toss him, losses vex him, dangers trouble him,
crosses disquiet him, nothing pleases him. In the day he wishes—Oh,
that it were night; and in the night—Oh, that it were day! Before he
rises he sighs; before he washes he weeps; before he feeds he fears;
under all his abundance he is in wants, and "in the midst of his
sufficiency he is in straits," Job 20:22; his heart, as Gregory Nyssene
speaks, is not so much quieted in those things which it has, as it is
tormented for those things which it has not.
In a word, all the rest we have in this world, is but a very short nap—
compared to that glorious rest which is reserved in heaven for us:
Heb. 4:9, "There remains therefore a rest to the people of God."
There remains a rest to the people of God, or as the Greek has it, a
sabbatism, a celestial rest, an eternal rest, a Sabbath that shall never
have end. Rest is a jewel very desirable on earth—but we shall not
wear it in our bosoms until we come to heaven. Rest is beyond this
world; and it is beyond this world that the fruit of rest is to be had.
I shall show you, observing brevity, the excellency of that rest which
is reserved for believers in heaven. As,
(1.) First, It is a superlative rest; a rest that infinitely exceeds all
earthly rest. All other rest is not to be named in the day wherein this
rest is spoken of. Some have purchased rest, for a time, with silver
and gold—but this is a rest that all the gold and silver in the world
can never purchase. Over this rest is written—not the price of gold,
but the price of blood, yes, the price of the best and noblest blood
that ever ran in veins. That rest we have here on earth, must needs be
a poor, low-priced rest, where the health of the body is preserved
with much watchfulness; being preserved, is also lost; being lost, is
recovered with much labor; and yet being recovered, is always in
danger and doubtfulness, what will become of it. Our estate in this
world is not a fixed estate; what then is our rest? Our very living is
but a passing away; our lives are full of troubles, and they fill our
souls full of unquietness.
After the Trojans had been tossing and wandering in the
Mediterranean Sea, as soon as they espied Italy, they cried out with
exulting joy, "Italy! Italy!" and so when saints, after all their tossings
and restlessness in this world, shall come to heaven, then, and not
until then, they will cry out, Rest, rest, no rest to this rest! But,
(2.) Secondly, The rest reserved in heaven for believers is a universal
rest, Rev. 14:13, a rest from all sin and a rest from all sorrow; a rest
from all afflictions and a rest from all temptations; a rest from all
oppressions, and a rest from all vexations; a rest from all labor and
pains, from all trouble and travail, from all aches, weaknesses, and
diseases. There is no crying out, O my bones! O my back! O my
sides! O my head! O my heart! Our rest here in this world, is only in
part and imperfect. Here on earth we have rest in one part and pain
in another, quiet in one part and torment in another. Sometimes
when the head is well, the heart is sick; and sometimes when there is
peace in the conscience, there is pain in the bones. Here on earth
many return us hatred for our love, and this hinders our rest. Here
on earth we are apt to create cares and fears for ourselves, and this
hinders our rest. Here on earth we are very apt to give offence, and as
apt to take offence, though none be given—and this hinders our rest,
1 Cor. 10:32. Sometimes we have rest abroad and none at home;
sometimes rest at home and none abroad, Job 7:13-16. Our rest here
on earth is imperfect and incomplete—but our rest in heaven shall be
most perfect and complete; there the inward and the outward man
shall be both at rest, etc. But,
(3.) Thirdly, It is an uninterupted rest; it is a rest which none can
interrupt. Here on earth sometimes sin interrupts our rest.
Sometimes temptations interrupt our rest. Sometimes divine
withdrawings interrupt our rest. Sometimes the sudden changes and
alterations which God makes in our conditions interrupt our rest.
Sometimes the power, and sometimes the policy, and sometimes the
cruelty of wicked men interrupts our rest. Sometimes the crossness
of friends, sometimes the deceitfulness of friends, sometimes the loss
of friends, and sometimes the death of friends interrupts our rest.
One thing or another is still interrupting our rest!
Oh! but in heaven there shall be no sin, no devil, no sinner, no false
friends; there shall be nothing, there shall not be the least thing that
may interrupt a saint's rest; indeed, heaven could not be heaven, did
it admit of anything that might interrupt a saint's rest. Heaven is
above all winds and weather, storms and tempests, earthquakes and
heartquakes. There is only that which is amiable and desirable; there
is nothing to cloud a Christian's joy, or to interrupt a Christian's rest.
When once a soul is asleep in the bosom of Abraham, none can
awake him, none can molest or disturb him. Here in heaven—is joy
without sorrow, blessedness without misery, health without sickness,
light without darkness, abundance without want, beauty without
deformity, honor without disgrace, ease without labor, and peace
without interruption or perturbation. Here shall be—eyes without
tears, hearts without fears, and souls without sin. Here shall be no
evil to molest the soul; here shall be all good to cheer the soul, and all
happiness to satisfy the soul! What then can possibly interrupt the
rest of the soul? But,
(4.) Fourthly, As it is an uninterrupted rest, so it is a peculiar rest; it
is a rest peculiar to sons, to saints, to heirs, to beloved ones. Psalm
127:2, "So he gives his beloved rest," or as the Hebrew has
it, dearling, or dear beloved, quiet rest, without care or sorrows. The
Hebrew word denotes the more quietness and rest. This rest is
a crown which God sets only upon the head of saints. This rest is
a gold chain that he only puts about his children's necks. This rest is
a jewel which he only hangs between his beloveds' breasts. This rest
is a flower which he only sticks in his darlings' bosoms. This rest is
a tree of life which is proper and peculiar to the inhabitants of that
heavenly country. This rest is children's bread—and shall never be
given to dogs.
Here on earth wicked men have their good things; their peace, their
rest, their quiet, etc., their heaven; while the people of God are
troubled and disquieted on every side. But the day is a-coming
wherein the saints shall have rest, and sinners shall never more have
a good day, never have an hour's rest more; their torments shall be
endless and ceaseless.
The old world had their resting-time—but at last God's patience and
justice, tired and abused, put an end to their rest, by washing and
sweeping them to hell with a flood; and then Noah, and those
righteous souls who were with him, had their time of rest and peace;
and so shall it be with sinners and saints at last, etc. But,
(5.) Fifthly, The rest reserved for the saints in heaven, as it is a
peculiar rest, so it is a rest that is universally communicable to all
the sons and daughters of God. "And to you who are troubled, rest
with us," says the apostle Paul; "rest with us," with us apostles, with
us saints, and with all the family of heaven together, 2 Thess. 1:6-7.
Here on earth some saints are at liberty, when others are in prison;
here some sit under their own vines and drink the blood of the grape,
while others have their blood poured out as water upon the ground,
etc. But in heaven they shall all have rest together, the believing
husband and the believing wife shall rest together; and believing
parents and believing children shall rest together. Here on earth one
has rest, when the other has not—but there they shall all rest
together. There the painstaking preacher and the diligent hearer
shall rest together; there the gracious master and the pious servant
shall rest together, etc. Isaiah 57:2, "He shall enter into peace, they
shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness; they
shall rest in their beds," or as some read it, they shall rest in their
bee-hives, expressing the Hebrew by the Latin; cubile signifies a beehive,
as well as a couch or bed. Look, as the poor wearied bees do rest
all together in their bee-hives, in their honey-houses—so all the
saints shall rest together in heaven, which is their bee-hive, their
honey-house; and oh what a happy rest will that be, when all the
saints shall rest together! But,
(6.) Sixthly and lastly, It is a permanent, a constant rest. Of this rest
there shall be no end. It is a rest that shall last as long as heaven
lasts; yes, as long as God himself shall continue. Time shall be no
more, and this world shall be no more—but this rest shall remain
forever! Rev. 10:6, 2 Pet. 3:10, et seq.
The rest of the people of God in this world is transient, it is
inconstant. Now they have rest, and at another time they have none;
now a calm, presently a storm; now all is in quiet, at another time all
is in an uproar. Their rest in this world is like a morning cloud and
the early dew, which is soon dried up by the beams of the sun, Hosea
6:4. Since God has cast man out of paradise, out of his first rest—he
can find but little rest in this world. Sometimes the unfitness of the
creature troubles him. Sometimes the fickleness of the creature vexes
him. Sometimes the treachery of the creature enrages him. And
sometimes the lack of the creature distracts him. When in his heart
he says, Now I shall have rest, now I shall be quiet, then troubles
and changes come—so that his whole life is rather a dreaming of
rest than an enjoying of rest. Oh! but in heaven the rest of the saints
shall have no end; there shall be nothing that can put an end to their
rest, there shall be everything that may conduce to the perpetuating
of their rest. Heaven would be but a poor base thing—did it not
afford a perpetual rest!
"An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and which fades
not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4
I have chosen this text upon a double ground.
1. To make a diversion of immoderate sorrow and grief from my own
spirit and yours, who are most nearly concerned in this sad loss. And,
2. Because it will afford us matter most suitable to the blessed state
and condition of this glorified saint, at whose funeral we are here met.
In the inscription, verses 1 and 2, you have first a holy salutation,
showing first by whom this epistle was written, namely, Peter, an
apostle of Jesus Christ; secondly, to whom it was written. Now they
are described two ways: first, by their outward condition, "strangers,
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and
Bithynia." There are divers opinions about these strangers—but the
most common and received opinion among the learned is, that Peter
wrote this epistle to the converted Jews, scattered through the
provinces in Asia, who met with much opposition and affliction for
the gospel's sake. Secondly, they are described by their spiritual and
inward condition, which is set forth,
(1.) By the fundamental cause of it, namely, election of God.
(2.) By the final cause, namely, sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience.
(3.) By the subservient cause, namely, reconciliation, conferred in
obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
In the third verse you have, (1.) A very stately prelude, and such as
can hardly be matched again, "Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ." (2.) You have regeneration or effectual calling
described, and that
[1.] First, By the principal efficient cause thereof, which is, "God the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
[2.] By the impulsive cause thereof, the mercy of God, which is
described by the quantity of it, "abundant."
[3.] By the immediate effect thereof, a "lively hope," the singular
cause whereof is showed to be the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead, 1 John 3:2-3. Now hope is called a lively hope,
[1.] Because it makes a man lively and active for God and goodness.
[2.] Because it cheers, comforts, and revives the soul. It brings, it
breeds, it feeds, it preserves spiritual life in the soul. This lively hope
is like Myrtilus' shield, which after the use he had of it in the field,
having it with him at sea, and suffering shipwreck, it served him for a
boat to waft him to shore, and so preserved his life. This lively hope
is a shield ashore, and an anchor at sea.
[3.] It is called a lively hope, in opposition to the fading, withering,
dying hopes of hypocrites, and profane people, "Whose hope is as a
spider's web," "the crackling of thorns under a pot."
A Christian's hope is not like that of Pandora, which may fly out of
the box, and bid the soul farewell; no, it is like the morning light: the
least beam of it shall commence into a complete sunshine; it shall
shine forth brighter and brighter until perfect day; but the
hypocrite's hope, the presumptuous sinner's hope is like a cloud, or
the morning dew.
Now, in my text you have the object about which this "lively hope" is
exercised; and that is, "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
and which fades not away" [What these words import I shall show
you when I open that doctrine which I intend to stand upon at this
time], "reserved in heaven for you."
There are three heavens: the first is the airy heaven, where the fowls
of heaven do fly; the second is where the stars of heaven are; the
third is the heaven of the blessed, where God appears in eminency,
and where Christ shines in glory; and this is the heaven the text
speaks of.
The text will afford several points—but I shall only name one, which I
intend to stand on at this time, and that is this,
DOCTRINE. God reserves the best and greatest favors and blessings
for believers until they come to heaven.
The Best Rest is Reserved for Believers
Until They Come to Heaven.
This life is full of trials, full of troubles, and full of changes. Sin
within, and Satan and the world without, will keep a Christian from
rest, until he comes to rest in the bosom of Christ. The life of a
Christian is a race—and what rest have they that are still a-running
their race? The life of a Christian is a warfare—and what rest have
they that are still engaged in a constant warfare? The life of a
Christian is the life of a pilgrim—and what rest has a pilgrim, who is
still a-traveling from place to place? A pilgrim is like Noah's dove,
which could find no rest for the sole of her foot. The fears, the snares,
the cares, the changes, etc., which attend believers in this world, are
such that will keep them from taking up their rest here on earth. A
Christian hears that word always sounding in his ears, "Arise, for this
is not your resting-place, because it is polluted." Micah 2:10. A man
may as well expect to find heaven in hell, as expect to find rest in this world!
It was the complaint of Ambrose, What misery do we undergo in
this life? What storms and tempests do we endure? with what
troubles are we tossed? Who is spared? Man's sorrows begin when
his days begin, and his sorrows are multiplied as his days are
multiplied; his whole life is but one continued grief; labor wears him,
care tears him, fears toss him, losses vex him, dangers trouble him,
crosses disquiet him, nothing pleases him. In the day he wishes—Oh,
that it were night; and in the night—Oh, that it were day! Before he
rises he sighs; before he washes he weeps; before he feeds he fears;
under all his abundance he is in wants, and "in the midst of his
sufficiency he is in straits," Job 20:22; his heart, as Gregory Nyssene
speaks, is not so much quieted in those things which it has, as it is
tormented for those things which it has not.
In a word, all the rest we have in this world, is but a very short nap—
compared to that glorious rest which is reserved in heaven for us:
Heb. 4:9, "There remains therefore a rest to the people of God."
There remains a rest to the people of God, or as the Greek has it, a
sabbatism, a celestial rest, an eternal rest, a Sabbath that shall never
have end. Rest is a jewel very desirable on earth—but we shall not
wear it in our bosoms until we come to heaven. Rest is beyond this
world; and it is beyond this world that the fruit of rest is to be had.
I shall show you, observing brevity, the excellency of that rest which
is reserved for believers in heaven. As,
(1.) First, It is a superlative rest; a rest that infinitely exceeds all
earthly rest. All other rest is not to be named in the day wherein this
rest is spoken of. Some have purchased rest, for a time, with silver
and gold—but this is a rest that all the gold and silver in the world
can never purchase. Over this rest is written—not the price of gold,
but the price of blood, yes, the price of the best and noblest blood
that ever ran in veins. That rest we have here on earth, must needs be
a poor, low-priced rest, where the health of the body is preserved
with much watchfulness; being preserved, is also lost; being lost, is
recovered with much labor; and yet being recovered, is always in
danger and doubtfulness, what will become of it. Our estate in this
world is not a fixed estate; what then is our rest? Our very living is
but a passing away; our lives are full of troubles, and they fill our
souls full of unquietness.
After the Trojans had been tossing and wandering in the
Mediterranean Sea, as soon as they espied Italy, they cried out with
exulting joy, "Italy! Italy!" and so when saints, after all their tossings
and restlessness in this world, shall come to heaven, then, and not
until then, they will cry out, Rest, rest, no rest to this rest! But,
(2.) Secondly, The rest reserved in heaven for believers is a universal
rest, Rev. 14:13, a rest from all sin and a rest from all sorrow; a rest
from all afflictions and a rest from all temptations; a rest from all
oppressions, and a rest from all vexations; a rest from all labor and
pains, from all trouble and travail, from all aches, weaknesses, and
diseases. There is no crying out, O my bones! O my back! O my
sides! O my head! O my heart! Our rest here in this world, is only in
part and imperfect. Here on earth we have rest in one part and pain
in another, quiet in one part and torment in another. Sometimes
when the head is well, the heart is sick; and sometimes when there is
peace in the conscience, there is pain in the bones. Here on earth
many return us hatred for our love, and this hinders our rest. Here
on earth we are apt to create cares and fears for ourselves, and this
hinders our rest. Here on earth we are very apt to give offence, and as
apt to take offence, though none be given—and this hinders our rest,
1 Cor. 10:32. Sometimes we have rest abroad and none at home;
sometimes rest at home and none abroad, Job 7:13-16. Our rest here
on earth is imperfect and incomplete—but our rest in heaven shall be
most perfect and complete; there the inward and the outward man
shall be both at rest, etc. But,
(3.) Thirdly, It is an uninterupted rest; it is a rest which none can
interrupt. Here on earth sometimes sin interrupts our rest.
Sometimes temptations interrupt our rest. Sometimes divine
withdrawings interrupt our rest. Sometimes the sudden changes and
alterations which God makes in our conditions interrupt our rest.
Sometimes the power, and sometimes the policy, and sometimes the
cruelty of wicked men interrupts our rest. Sometimes the crossness
of friends, sometimes the deceitfulness of friends, sometimes the loss
of friends, and sometimes the death of friends interrupts our rest.
One thing or another is still interrupting our rest!
Oh! but in heaven there shall be no sin, no devil, no sinner, no false
friends; there shall be nothing, there shall not be the least thing that
may interrupt a saint's rest; indeed, heaven could not be heaven, did
it admit of anything that might interrupt a saint's rest. Heaven is
above all winds and weather, storms and tempests, earthquakes and
heartquakes. There is only that which is amiable and desirable; there
is nothing to cloud a Christian's joy, or to interrupt a Christian's rest.
When once a soul is asleep in the bosom of Abraham, none can
awake him, none can molest or disturb him. Here in heaven—is joy
without sorrow, blessedness without misery, health without sickness,
light without darkness, abundance without want, beauty without
deformity, honor without disgrace, ease without labor, and peace
without interruption or perturbation. Here shall be—eyes without
tears, hearts without fears, and souls without sin. Here shall be no
evil to molest the soul; here shall be all good to cheer the soul, and all
happiness to satisfy the soul! What then can possibly interrupt the
rest of the soul? But,
(4.) Fourthly, As it is an uninterrupted rest, so it is a peculiar rest; it
is a rest peculiar to sons, to saints, to heirs, to beloved ones. Psalm
127:2, "So he gives his beloved rest," or as the Hebrew has
it, dearling, or dear beloved, quiet rest, without care or sorrows. The
Hebrew word denotes the more quietness and rest. This rest is
a crown which God sets only upon the head of saints. This rest is
a gold chain that he only puts about his children's necks. This rest is
a jewel which he only hangs between his beloveds' breasts. This rest
is a flower which he only sticks in his darlings' bosoms. This rest is
a tree of life which is proper and peculiar to the inhabitants of that
heavenly country. This rest is children's bread—and shall never be
given to dogs.
Here on earth wicked men have their good things; their peace, their
rest, their quiet, etc., their heaven; while the people of God are
troubled and disquieted on every side. But the day is a-coming
wherein the saints shall have rest, and sinners shall never more have
a good day, never have an hour's rest more; their torments shall be
endless and ceaseless.
The old world had their resting-time—but at last God's patience and
justice, tired and abused, put an end to their rest, by washing and
sweeping them to hell with a flood; and then Noah, and those
righteous souls who were with him, had their time of rest and peace;
and so shall it be with sinners and saints at last, etc. But,
(5.) Fifthly, The rest reserved for the saints in heaven, as it is a
peculiar rest, so it is a rest that is universally communicable to all
the sons and daughters of God. "And to you who are troubled, rest
with us," says the apostle Paul; "rest with us," with us apostles, with
us saints, and with all the family of heaven together, 2 Thess. 1:6-7.
Here on earth some saints are at liberty, when others are in prison;
here some sit under their own vines and drink the blood of the grape,
while others have their blood poured out as water upon the ground,
etc. But in heaven they shall all have rest together, the believing
husband and the believing wife shall rest together; and believing
parents and believing children shall rest together. Here on earth one
has rest, when the other has not—but there they shall all rest
together. There the painstaking preacher and the diligent hearer
shall rest together; there the gracious master and the pious servant
shall rest together, etc. Isaiah 57:2, "He shall enter into peace, they
shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness; they
shall rest in their beds," or as some read it, they shall rest in their
bee-hives, expressing the Hebrew by the Latin; cubile signifies a beehive,
as well as a couch or bed. Look, as the poor wearied bees do rest
all together in their bee-hives, in their honey-houses—so all the
saints shall rest together in heaven, which is their bee-hive, their
honey-house; and oh what a happy rest will that be, when all the
saints shall rest together! But,
(6.) Sixthly and lastly, It is a permanent, a constant rest. Of this rest
there shall be no end. It is a rest that shall last as long as heaven
lasts; yes, as long as God himself shall continue. Time shall be no
more, and this world shall be no more—but this rest shall remain
forever! Rev. 10:6, 2 Pet. 3:10, et seq.
The rest of the people of God in this world is transient, it is
inconstant. Now they have rest, and at another time they have none;
now a calm, presently a storm; now all is in quiet, at another time all
is in an uproar. Their rest in this world is like a morning cloud and
the early dew, which is soon dried up by the beams of the sun, Hosea
6:4. Since God has cast man out of paradise, out of his first rest—he
can find but little rest in this world. Sometimes the unfitness of the
creature troubles him. Sometimes the fickleness of the creature vexes
him. Sometimes the treachery of the creature enrages him. And
sometimes the lack of the creature distracts him. When in his heart
he says, Now I shall have rest, now I shall be quiet, then troubles
and changes come—so that his whole life is rather a dreaming of
rest than an enjoying of rest. Oh! but in heaven the rest of the saints
shall have no end; there shall be nothing that can put an end to their
rest, there shall be everything that may conduce to the perpetuating
of their rest. Heaven would be but a poor base thing—did it not
afford a perpetual rest!