The great preparatives to the Saint's Rest.
§ 1. The happiness of Christians in having a way open into paradise. There are four things which principally prepare the way to enter into it; § 2, 3. particularly, (1.) The glorious appearing of Christ; § 4. (2.) The general resurrection: § 5-8. (3.) The last judgment; § 9, 10. and, (4.) The saint's coronation; § 11. Transition to the subject of the next chapter.
§ 1. The passage of paradise is not now so blocked up, as when the law and curse reigned. Wherefore finding, _beloved Christians, a new and living way consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, the flesh of Christ, by which_ we may with _boldness, enter into the holiest_, I shall _draw near with fuller assurance_:[65] And finding the _flaming sword_ removed, shall look again into the paradise of our God: And because I know that this is no _forbidden fruit_, and withal that _it is good for food, and pleasant to the_ spiritual _eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one_ truly _wise_ and happy; I shall through the assistance of the Spirit, _take and eat thereof_ myself, _and give_ to you, according to my power, that you may _eat_. The _porch_ of this _temple_ is exceeding glorious, and _the gate of it is called Beautiful_. Here are four things, as the four corners of this porch. Here is the most glorious coming and appearance of the Son of God;—that great work of Jesus Christ in raising our bodies from the dust, and uniting them again to the soul;—the public and solemn process at their judgment, where they shall first themselves be acquitted and justified, and then with Christ judge the world;—together with their solemn coronation, and receiving the kingdom.
[Footnote 65] Hebrews x, 19, 20, 22.
§ 2. (1.) The most glorious coming and appearance of the Son of God may well be reckoned into his people's glory. For their sake he came into the world, suffered, died, rose, ascended, and for their sake it is that he will return. To this end _will Christ come again to receive his people unto himself, that where he is, there they may be also_.[66] The bridegroom's departure was not upon divorce. He did not leave us with a purpose to return no more. He hath left pledges enough to assure us of the contrary. We have his word, his many promises, his sacraments, which _shew forth his death till he come_;[67] and his Spirit, to direct, sanctify, and comfort, till he return. We have frequent tokens of love from him, to shew us, he forgets not his promise, nor us. We daily behold the forerunners of his coming, foretold by himself. We see _the fig-tree putting forth leaves_, and therefore _know that summer is nigh_.[68] Though the riotous world _say, my Lord delayeth his coming_;[69] yet let the saints _lift up their heads, for their redemption draweth nigh_.[70] Alas, Fellow Christians, what should we do if our Lord should not return? What a case are we here left in? What, leave us _in the midst of wolves_,[71] and _among lions_,[72] _a generation of vipers_,[73] and here forget us? Did he buy us so dear, and then leave us sinning, suffering, groaning, dying daily, and will he come no more to us? It cannot be.—This is like our unkind dealing with Christ, who when we feel ourselves warm in the world, care not for coming to him: But this is not like Christ's dealing with us. He that would come to suffer, will surely come to triumph. He that would come to purchase, will surely come to possess. Where else were all our hopes? What were become of our faith, our prayers, our tears, and our waiting? What were all the patience of the saints worth to them? Were we not left _of all men most miserable_?[74] Christians, hath Christ made us forsake all the world, and be forsaken of all the world? to hate all, and be hated of all? and all this for _him_, that we might have _him_, instead of all? And will he, think you, after all this, forget us, and forsake us himself? Far be such a thought from our hearts!—But why staid he not with his people while he was here? Why? Was not the work on earth done? Must he not take possession of glory in our behalf? Must he not intercede with the Father, plead his sufferings, be filled with the Spirit to send forth, receive authority, and subdue his enemies? Our abode here is short. If he had staid on earth, what would it have been to enjoy him for a few days, and then die? He hath more in heaven to dwell among; even the spirits of many generations. He will have us live by faith, and not by sight.
[Footnote 66] John xiv, 3.
[Footnote 67] 1 Corinthians xi, 26.
[Footnote 68] Matthew xxiv, 32.
[Footnote 69] Matthew xxiv, 48.
[Footnote 70] Luke xxi, 28.
[Footnote 71] Matthew x, 16.
[Footnote 72] Psalm lvii, 4.
[Footnote 73] Matthew iii, 7.
[Footnote 74] 1 Corinthians xv, 19.