§ 6. (4.) But though this rest be proper to the saints, yet it is common to all the saints; for it is an association of blessed spirits, both saints and angels; a corporation of perfected saints, whereof Christ is the Head; the communion of saints completed. As we have been together in the labor, duty, danger, and distress; so shall we be in the great recompense and deliverance. As we have been scorned and despised, so shall we be owned and honored together. We, who have gone through the day of sadness, shall enjoy together that day of gladness. Those, who have been with us in persecution and prison, shall be with us also in that palace of consolation. How oft have our groans made, as it were, one sound? our tears one stream? and our desires one prayer? But now all our praises shall make up one melody; all our churches, one church, and all ourselves, one body; for we shall be all one in Christ, even, _as he and the Father are one_.[138] 'Tis true, we must be careful, not to look for that in the saints, which is alone in Christ. But if the forethought of _sitting down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven_,[139] may be our lawful joy; how much more the real sight and actual possession? It cannot choose but be comfortable to think of that day, when we shall join with Moses in his song, with David, in his psalms of praise, and with all the redeemed in _the song of the Lamb_ for ever;[140] when we shall see _Enoch walking with God_;[141] Noah enjoying the end of his singularity; Joseph of his integrity; Job of his patience; Hezekiah of his uprightness; and all the saints _the end of their faith_.[142] Not only our old acquaintance, but all the saints, of all ages, whose faces in the flesh we never saw, we shall there both know, and comfortably enjoy. Yea, angels as well as saints, will be our blessed acquaintance. Those, who now are willingly our _ministering spirits_,[143] will willingly then be our companions in joy. They, who had such joy in heaven for our conversion,[144] will gladly rejoice with us in our glorification. Then we shall truly say, as David, _I am a companion of all them that fear thee_;[145] _when we are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly, and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant_.[146] 'Tis a singular excellence of heavenly rest, that we _are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the houshold of God_.[147] [Footnote 138] John xvii, 21. [Footnote 139] Matthew viii, 11. [Footnote 140] Revelation xv, 3. [Footnote 141] Genesis v, 24. [Footnote 142] 1 Pet. i, 9. [Footnote 143] Heb. i, 14. [Footnote 144] Luke xv, 7, 10. [Footnote 145] Psal. cxix, 63. [Footnote 146] Heb. xii, 22-24. [Footnote 147] Eph. ii, 19.