The saints everlasting rest

1. And well may the coming of CHRIST be reckoned with those ingredients that compound this precious rest: for to this end it is intended; and to this end it is of apparent necessity. For his people's sake he sanctified himself to his office: 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 to himself, That where he is, they may be also. John xiv. 3. He that would come to suffer, will surely come to triumph: and he that would come to purchase, will surely come to possess.

But why stayed he not with his people while he was here? Why? must not the Comforter be sent? Was not the work on earth done? Must he not receive the recompense of reward, and enter into his glory? Must he not take possession in our behalf? Must he not go to prepare a place for us? Must he not intercede with the Father, and plead his sufferings, and be filled with the spirit to send it forth, and receive authority to subdue his enemies? Our abode here is short: if he had stayed on earth, what would it have been to enjoy him for a few days, and then die? But he hath more in heaven to dwell among; even the spirits of the just of many generations, there made perfect. O what a day will that be! when we who have been kept prisoners by the grave, shall be fetched out by the LORD himself; when Christ shall come from heaven to plead with his enemies, and set his captives free? It will not be such a coming as his first was, in meanness, and poverty, and contempt: he will not come to be spit upon, and buffeted, and scorned, and crucified again: he will not come, O careless world! to be slighted by you any more. And yet that coming which was in infirmity and reproach ⟨p. 33⟩for our sakes, wanted not its glory. If the angels of heaven must be the messengers of that coming, as being Tidings of joy to all people: and the heavenly host must accompany his nativity, and must praise GOD with that solemnity: O with what shoutings will angels and saints at that day proclaim, Glory to GOD, and peace and good-will towards men! If the stars of heaven must lead men to come to worship a child in a manger, how will the glory of his next appearing constrain all the world to acknowledge his sovereignty! If when he was in the form of a servant, they cry out, What manner of man is this, that both wind and sea obey him! What shall they say when they shall see him coming in his glory, and the heavens and earth obey him? Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great-glory.