A27017:1108
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 9
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.
5. Besides, most men do search but by the halves. If it will not easily & quickly be done, they are discouraged, and leave off. Few set to it and follow it, as beseems them in a work of such moment. He must give all diligence that means to make sure.
5. Besides, most men do search but by the halves. If it will not easily & quickly be done, they are discouraged, and leaveoff. Few set to it and follow it, as beseems them in a work of such moment. He must give all diligence that means to make sure.
6. Also men try themselves by false Marks and Rules; not knowing wherein the truth of Christianity doth consist; some ⟨p. 402⟩looking beyond, and some short of the Scripture standard.
7. Moreover there is so great likeness betwixt the lowest degree of special grace, and the highest degree of Common Grace, that it is no wonder if the unskilful be mistaken. It is a great Question, whether the main difference between special grace and common, be not rather gradual, then specific: If it should be so (as some think) then the discovery will be much more difficult. However to discern by what principle our affections are moved, and to what ends, and with what sincerity, is not very easy; there being so many wrong Ends and motives which may excite the like Acts. Every grace in the Saints hath its counterfeit in the Hypocrite.
7. Moreover there is so great likeness betwixt the lowest degree of special grace, and the highest degree of Common Grace, that it is no wonder if the unskilful be mistaken. It is a great Question, whether the main difference between special grace and common, be not rather gradual, then specifical: If it should be so (as some think) then the discovery will be much more difficult. However to discern by what principle our affections are moved, and to what ends, and with what sincerity, is not very easie; there being so many wrong Ends and motives which may excite the like Acts. Every grace in the Saints hath its counterfeit in the Hypocrite.