A27017:1247
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 10 › 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.
SECT. IV.
3. Consider also,1 That Afflictions be Gods most effectual means, to keep us from straggling out of the way to our Rest. If he had not set a hedge of Thorns on the right hand, and another on the left, we should hardly keep the way to Heaven:2 If there be but one gap open without these Thorns, how ready are we to find it, and turn out at it? But when we cannot go astray, but these Thorns will prick us, perhaps we will be content to hold the way. When we grow fleshly, and wanton, and worldly, and proud, what a notable means is Sickness, or other Affliction, to reduce us? It is every Christian, as well as Luther, that may call Affliction, one of his best School-masters. Many a one, as well as David, may say by experience, Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I (sincerely) kept thy Precepts: Psal. 119.67. As Physicians say of bodily destruction, so may ⟨p. 444⟩we of spiritual, That Peace killeth more then War. Read Nehem. 9. Their case is ours. When we have prosperity we grow secure and sinful: Then God afflicteth us, and we cry for mercy, and purpose reformation: But after we have a little Rest, we do evil again, (Vers. 28.) Till God take up the Rod again, that he may bring us back to his Law: (vers. 29.) And thus prosperity, and sinning, and suffering, and repenting, and deliverance, and sinning again, do run all in around: Even as Peace breeds Contention; and that breeds War;3