A27017:1167
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 8 › Section 4
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.
1. It will exceedingly confirm them in the service of Satan, and fasten them in their present way of death. They will never seek to be recovered, as long as they think their present state may serve. As the Prophet saith, Isa. 44.20. A deceived heart will turn them aside, that they cannot deliver their own soul, nor say, Is there not a lye in my right hand?
2. It will take away the efficacy of means that should do them good: Nay, it will turn the best means to their hardening and ruin. If a man mistake his bodily disease, and think it to be clean contrary to what it is, will he not apply contrary remedies which will increase it? So when a Christian should apply the Promises, his mistake will cause him to apply the threatenings: and when an ungodly man should apply the Threatenings, and Terrors of the Lord, this mistake of his estate will make him apply the promises: ⟨p. 419⟩And there is no greater strengthener of sin, and destroyer of the soul, then Scripture misapplied. Worldly delights, and the deceiving words of sinners, may harden men most desperately in an unsafe way: But Scripture misapplied, will do it far more effectually and dangerously.
2. It will take away the efficacy of means that should do them good: Nay, it will turn the best means to their hardening and ruine. If a man mistake his bodily disease, and think it to be clean contrary to what it is, will he not apply contrary remedies which will increase it? So when a Christian should apply the Promises, his mistake will cause him to apply the threatenings: and when an ungodly man should apply the Threatenings, and Terrors of the Lord, this mistake of his estate will make him apply the promises: ⟨p. 419⟩And there is no greater strengthener of sin, and destroyer of the soul, then Scripture misapplyed. Wordly delights, and the deceiving words of sinners, may harden men most desperately in an unsafe way: But Scripture misapplied, will do it far more effectually and dangerously.