A27017:1218
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 9 › Section 2
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.
9. When by all this pains and means thou hast discovered the truth of thy state, then pass the Sentence on thy self accordingly. A mere examination will do thee little good, if it proceed not to a Judgment. Conclude as thou findest: Either that thou art a true Believer: or that thou art not. But pass not this Sentence rashly; nor with self-flattery, nor from Melancholy terrors and fears: But do it groundedly and deliberately; and truly as thou findest, according to thy Conscience. Do not conclude, as some do, [I am a good Christian,] or as others do, [I am a Reprobate, or a Hypocrite, and shall be damned,] when thou hast no ground for what thou sayest, but thy own fancy, or hopes, or fears; nay, when thou art convinced by Scripture and Reason of the contrary; and hast nothing to say against the Arguments. Let not thy Judgment be any way by assed, or bribed; and so fore-stalled from sentencing aright.
9. When by all this pains and means thou hast discovered the truth of thy state, then pass the Sentence on thy self accordingly. A meer examination will do thee little good, if it proceed not to a Judgment. Conclude as thou findest: Either that thou art a true Beleever: or that thou art not. But pass not this Sentence rashly; nor with self-flattery, nor from Melancholly terrors and fears: But do it groundedly and deliberately; and truly as thou findest, according to thy Conscience. Do not conclude, as some do, [I am a good Christian,] or as others do, [I am a Reprobate, or a Hypocrite, and shall be damned,] when thou hast no ground for what thou sayst, but thy own fancy, or hopes, or fears; nay, when thou art convinced by Scripture and Reason of the contrary; and hast nothing to say against the Arguments. Let not thy Judgment be any way by assed, or bribed; and so fore-stalled from sentencing aright.
10. Labour to get thy heart kindly Affected with its discovered condition, according to the sentence passed on it. Do not think it enough to know: but labour to feel, what God hath made thee see. If thou find thy self undoubtedly graceless, Oh get this to thy heart; and think what a doleful Condition it is: To be an Enemy to God! to be unpardoned! unsanctified! and if thou shouldst so dye, to be Eternally damned! One would think such a thought should make a heart of stone to quake! On the contrary: If thou find thy self renewed and sanctified indeed; Oh get this warm and close to thy heart. Bethink thy self; What a blessed state the Lord hath brought thee into! To be his Child! his Friend! to be pardoned, justified, and sure to be saved! Why what needest thou fear? but sinning against him? Come war, or plague, or sickness, or death, thou art sure they can but thrust thee into Heaven.