A27017:1306
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 11 › Section 8
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. VIII.
5. And as you must do it Plainly,1 so also Seriously, Zealously, and Effectually. The exceeding stupidity and deadness of mens hearts is such, that no other dealing will ordinarily work. You must call loud to awake a man in a Swoon or Lethargy. If you speak to the common sort of men, of the evil of their sin, of their need of Christ, of the danger of their Souls. and of the necessity of Regeneration, they will wearily and unwillingly give you the hearing, and put off all with a sigh, or a few good wishes, and say, [God forgive us, we are all sinners,] and there's an end. If ever you will do them good therefore, you must sharpen your exhortation, and set it home, and follow it with their hearts, till you have roused them up, and made them begin to look about them. Let them know that thou speak not to them of indifferent things, not about children's games, or worldlings vanities, or matters of a few days or years continuance; nor yet about matters of uncertainty, which perhaps may never come to pass: But it is about the saving or damning of their Souls and bodies; and whether they shall be Blessed with Christ, or tormented with Devils, and that for ever and ever without any change; It is, how to stand before God in Judgment, and what answer to give, and how they are like to speed: And this Judgment and eternal state they shall very shortly see; they are almost at it; yet a few more nights and days, and they shall presently be at that last day; ⟨p. 470⟩a few more breathes they have to breathe, and they shall breathe out their last; and then as certainly shall they see that mighty change, as the Heaven is over their heads, and the earth under their feet. Oh labour to make men know, that it is mad jesting about Salvation or Damnation; and that Heaven and Hell be not matters to be plaid with, or passed over with a few careless thoughts! Is it most certain that one of these days thou shalt be either in everlasting unchangeable Joy or Torments, and doth it not awake thee? Is there so few that find the way of life? so many that go the way of death? so hard to escape? so easy to miscarry? and that while we fear nothing but think all is well? and yet do you fit still and trifle! Why what do you mean? what do you think on? The world is passing away: its pleasures are fading: its honours are leaving you: its profits will prove unprofitable to you: