A27017:120
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
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.
SECT. XI.
111. There is presupposed also to the obtaining of this Rest, a strong desire after it. The Souls motion is not that which we call violent or constrained, (none can force it) but natural, viz. according to our new nature. As every thing inclines to its proper Centre, so the Rational Creature is carried on in all its motion, with desires after its end. This end is the first thing intended, and chiefest desired, though last obtained. Observe it, and believe it, who ever thou art; there was never Soul that made Christ and glory the principal end; nor that obtained Rest with God, whose desire was not set upon him, and that above all things else in the world whatsoever: Christ brings the heart to heaven first, and then the person: His own mouth spoke it; Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, Mat. 6.21. A sad conclusion to thousands of professed Christians. He that had truly rather have the enjoyment of God in Christ, then any thing in the world, shall have it; and he that had rather have any thing else, shall not have this, (except God change him.) It's true, the Remainder of our old nature will much weaken and interrupt these desires, but never overcome them.
111. THere is presupposed also to the obtaining of this Rest, a strong desire after it. The Souls motion is not that which we call violent or constrained, (none can force it) but natural, viz. according to our new nature. As every thing inclines to its proper Center, so the Rational Creature is carryed on in all its motion, with desires after its end. This end is the first thing intended, and chiefest desired, though last obtained. Observe it, and beleeve it, who ever thou art; there was never Soul that made Christ and glory the principal end; nor that obtained Rest with God, whose desire was not set upon him, and that above all things else in the world whatsoever: Christ brings the heart to heaven first, and then the person: His own mouth spoke it; Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,