§ 1. While I was in the mount, describing the excellencies of the saint's rest, I felt it was good being there, and therefore tarried the longer; and was there not an extreme disproportion between my conceptions and the subject, much longer had I been. Can a prospect of that happy land be tedious? Having read of such an high and unspeakable glory, a stranger would wonder for what rare creature this mighty preparation should be made, and expect some illustrious sun should break forth. But behold! only a shellfull of dust, animated with an invisible, rational soul, and that rectified with as unseen a restored power of grace; and this is the creature that must possess such glory. You would think it must needs be some deserving piece, or one that brings a valuable price: But behold! one that hath nothing; and can deserve nothing; yea, that deserves the contrary, and would, if he might proceed in that deserving; but being apprehended by love, he is brought to him that _is All_;[184] and most affectionately receiving him, and resting on him, he doth, in and through him, receive all this. More particularly, the persons for whom this rest is designed, are—chosen of God from eternity;—given to Christ, as their Redeemer;—born again;—deeply convinced of the evil and misery of a sinful state, the vanity of the creature, and the all-sufficiency of Christ:—their will is renewed;—they engage themselves to Christ in covenant;—and they persevere in their engagements to the end. [Footnote 184] Colossians iii, 11. § 2. (1.) The persons for whom this rest is designed, whom the text calls _the people of God_, are _the chosen of God from eternity_.[185] That they are but a small part of mankind, is too apparent in Scripture and experience. They are the _little flock_, to whom _it is their Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom_.[186] Fewer they are than the world imagines; yet not so few as some drooping spirits think, who are suspicious that God is unwilling to be their God, when they know themselves willing to be his people. [Footnote 185] Ephesians i, 4, 5. [Footnote 186] Luke xii, 32. § 3. (2.) These persons are given of God to his Son, to be by him redeemed from their lost state, and advanced to this glory. God hath given all things to his Son, but not as he hath given his chosen to him. _God hath given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him._[187] The difference is clearly expressed by the apostle; _he hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church_.[188] And though Christ is, in some sense, _a ransom for all_,[189] yet not in that special manner as for his people. [Footnote 187] John xvii, 2. [Footnote 188] Ephesians i, 22. [Footnote 189] Timothy ii, 6.