The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

titles, but real dominion. Christ will grant them to sit with him on his throne,
and will give them power over the nations, even as he received of his Father;
and he "will give them the morning star." The Lord himself will give them
possession, with these applauding expressions: "Well done, good and faithful
servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
And with this solemn and blessed proclamation shall he enthrone them:
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world." Every word is full of life and joy. "Come "--
this is the holding forth of the golden sceptre, to warrant our approach unto
this glory. Come now as near as you will; fear not the Bethshemites'
judgment; for the enmity is utterly abolished. This is not such a "Come" as
we were wont to hear, "Come, take up your cross and follow me." Though
that was sweet, yet this is much more. "Ye blessed"--blessed indeed, when
that mouth so pronounce us! For though the world hath accounted us
accursed, and we have been ready to account ourselves so; yet, certainly,
those that he blesseth are blessed; and those only whom he curseth are
cursed; and his blessing cannot be reversed. "Of my Father"--blessed in the
Father's love, as well as the Son's; for they are one. The Father hath testified
his love in their election, donation to Christ, and in the sending of Christ, and
accepting his ransom, as the Son hath also testified his. "Inherit"--no longer
bondsmen, nor servants only, nor children under age, who differ not in
possession, but only in title, from servants; but now we are heirs of the
kingdom, and joint-heirs with Christ. "The kingdom"--no less than the
kingdom! Indeed, to be King of kings and Lord of lords is our Lord's own
proper title; but to be kings, and reign with him, is ours. The enjoyment of
this kingdom is as the light of the sun; each has the whole, and the rest none
the less. "Prepared for you"--God is the Alpha as well as the Omega of our
blessedness. Eternal love hath laid the foundation. He prepared the kingdom
for us, and then prepared us for the kingdom. This is the preparation of his
counsel and decree, for the execution whereof Christ was yet to make a
32