[Footnote 5] Matthew vii, 13.
[Footnote 6] Luke xiii, 24.
[Footnote 7] Matthew xi, 12.
[Footnote 8] Galatians iii, 3.
[Footnote 9] Matthew xxiv, 13.
[Footnote 10] Matthew vi, 21.
§ 4. Now we have ascended these steps into the outward court, may we look within the vail? May we shew what this rest contains, as well as what it presupposes? Alas, how little know I of that glory! The glimpse which Paul had, contained what could not, or must not, be uttered. Had he spoke the things of heaven in the language of heaven, and none understood that language, what the better? The Lord reveal to me what I may reveal to you! The Lord open some light, and shew both you and me our inheritance! Not as to Balaam only, whose eyes were opened to see the goodliness of Jacob's tents, and Israel's tabernacles, where he had no portion, and from whence must come his own destruction! Not as to Moses, who had only a discovery, instead of possession, and saw the land which he never entered! But as the pearl was revealed to the merchant in the gospel, who rested not till he had sold all he had, and bought it! And as heaven was opened to blessed Stephen, which he was shortly to enter, and the glory shewed him which should be his own possession!—The things contained in heavenly rest are such as these;—a ceasing from means of grace;—a perfect freedom from all evils;—the highest degree of the saint's personal perfection, both of body and soul;—the nearest enjoyment of God the chief good; and a sweet and constant action of all the powers of body and soul in this enjoyment of God.
§ 5. (1.) One thing contained in heavenly rest is, the ceasing from means of grace. When we have obtained the haven, we have done sailing. When the workman receives his wages, it is implied he has done his work. When we are at our journey's end, we have done with the way. _Whether prophecies, they shall fail; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge it_ also, so far as it had the nature of means, _shall vanish away_.[11] There shall be no more prayer, because no more necessity, but the full enjoyment of what we prayed for. Neither shall we need to fast and weep, and watch any more, being out of the reach of sin and temptations. Preaching is done; the ministry of man ceaseth; sacraments become useless; the laborers are called in, because the harvest is gathered, the tares burned, and the work finished; the unregenerate past hope, and the saints past fear, for ever.
[Footnote 11] 1 Corinthians xiii, 8.
§ 6. (2.) There is in heavenly rest a perfect freedom from all evils. All the evils that accompanied us through our course, and which necessarily follow our absence from the chief good: Besides our freedom from those eternal flames, and restless miseries, which the neglecters of Christ and grace must remedilessly endure; a woeful inheritance, which, both by birth and actual merit, was due to us, as well as to them! In heaven there is _nothing that defileth_, or is unclean: All _that_ remains _without_.[12] And doubtless there is not such a thing as grief and sorrow known there: Nor is there such a thing as a pale face, a languid body, feeble joints, unable infancy, decrepit age, peccant humors, painful or pining sickness, griping fears, consuming cares, nor whatsoever deserves the name of evil. We did _Weep and lament_, when _the world did rejoice_; but our _sorrow is turned into joy, and_ our _joy shall no man take from_ us.[13]
[Footnote 12] Revelation xxi, 27, xxii, 15.
[Footnote 13] John xvi, 20, 22.
§ 7. (3.) Another ingredient of this rest is, the highest degree of the saint's personal perfection, both of body and soul. Were the glory ever so great, and themselves not made capable of it, by a personal perfection suitable thereto, it would be little to them. _Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him._[14] For the eye of flesh is not capable of seeing them, nor this ear of hearing them, nor this heart of understanding them: but there the eye, and ear, and heart, are made capable; else how do they enjoy them? The more perfect the sight is, the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical the ear, the more pleasant the melody. The more perfect the soul, the more joyous those joys, and the more glorious to us is that glory.
[Footnote 14] 1 Corinthians ii, 9.