this blessed rest remains for thee. Only see thou _abide in Christ_,[202] and _endure to the end_;[203] for _if any man draw back, his soul shall have no pleasure in him_.[204]—But if no such work be found within thee; whatever thy deceived heart may think, or how strong soever thy false hopes may be; thou wilt find to thy cost, except thorough conversion prevent it, that the rest of the saints belongs not to thee. _O that thou wert wise, that thou wouldest understand this, that thou wouldest consider thy latter end!_[205] That yet, while thy soul is in thy body, and _a price in thy hand_,[206] and opportunity and hope before thee, thy ears may be open, and thy heart yield to the persuasions of God, that so thou mightest rest among his people, and enjoy _the inheritance of the saints in light_.[207] [Footnote 201] Matthew xiii, 46. [Footnote 202] John xv, 4. [Footnote 203] Matthew xxiv, 13. [Footnote 204] Hebrews x, 38. [Footnote 205] Deuteronomy xxxii, 29. [Footnote 206] Proverbs xvii, 16. [Footnote 207] Colossians i, 12. § 13. That this rest shall be enjoyed by the people of God, is a truth which the Scripture, if its testimony be further needed, clearly asserts in a variety of ways. As for instance, That they are _foreordained to it, and it for them. God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city._[208] They are styled _vessels of mercy, afore prepared unto glory_.[209] _In Christ they have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will._[210] And _whom he did predestinate, them he also glorified_.[211] Who can bereave his people of that rest which is designed for them by God's eternal purpose?—Scripture tells us, they are _redeemed to this rest. By the blood of Jesus we have boldness to enter into the holiest_;[212] whether that entrance means by faith and prayer here, or by full possession hereafter. Therefore the saints in heaven _sing a new song_ unto him who has _redeemed them to God by his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and made them kings and priests unto God_.[213] Either Christ then must lose his blood and sufferings, and never _see of the travail of his soul_, or else _there remaineth a rest to the people of God_.—In Scripture this rest is _promised to them_. As the firmament with stars, so are the sacred pages bespangled with these Divine engagements. Christ says, _fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom_.[214] _I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom_,[215] _&c. &c. &c._—All the means of grace, the operations of the Spirit upon the soul, and gracious actings of the saints, every command to repent and believe, to fast and pray, to knock and seek, to strive and labor, to run and fight, prove that there remains a rest for the people of God.