A27017:1071
The Saints' Everlasting Rest
The saints everlasting rest, or, A treatise of the blessed state of the saints in their enjoyment of God in glory wherein is showed its excellency and certainty, the misery of those that lose it, the way to attain it, and assurance of it, and how to live in the continual delightful forecasts of it and now published by Richard Baxter ...The saints everlasting rest, or, A treatise of the blessed state of the saints in their enjoyment of God in glory wherein is shewed its excellency and certainty, the misery of those that lose it, the way to attain it, and assurance of it, and how to live in the continual delightful forecasts of it and now published by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by Rob. White for Thomas Underhil and Francis Tyton, 1650
THE SAINTS Everlasting REST. PART. III. › Chapter 7 › Section 5
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. If we may be certain of the Premises, then may we also be certain of the undeniable Conclusion of them. But here we may be certain of both the Premises. For 1. That whosoever believeth in Christ shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life, is the voice of the Gospel; and therefore that we may be sure of: That we are such Believers, may be known by Conscience and internal Sense. I know all the question is in this, Whether the Moral Truth or Sincerity of our Faith and other Graces can be known thus, or not? And that it may I prove thus.
2. If we may be certain of the Premises, then may we also be certain of the undenyable Conclusion of them. But here we may be certain of both the Premises. For 1. That whosoever believeth in Christ shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life, is the voyce of the Gospel; and therefore that we may be sure of: That we are such Believers, may be known by Conscience and internal Sense. I know all the question is in this, Whether the Moral Truth or Sincerity of our Faith and other Graces can be known thus, or not? And that it may I prove thus.
1. From the natural use of this Conscience, and internal Sense; which is to acquaint us not only with the Being, but the Qualifications of the Acts of our Souls. All voluntary Motions are Sensible. And though the heart is so deceitful, that no man can certainly know the heart of another, and with much difficulty clearly know their own; yet by diligent observation and examination known they may be: for though our inward Sense and Conscience may be depraved, yet not extirpated, or quite ••••inguished.
2. The Commands of Believing, Repenting, &c. were in Vain, especially as the Condition of the Covenant, if we could not know whether we perform them or not.