A27017:1309
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 9
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. IX.
6. Yet lest you run into extremes,1 I advise you to do it with Prudence and discretion. Be as serious as you can; but yet with Wisdom. And especially you must be wise in these things following. 1. In choosing the fittest season for your Exhortation: not to deal with men when they are in passion, or drunk, or in public, where they will take it for a disgrace. M•n should observe when sinners are fittest to hear instructions. Physic must not be given at all times, but in season. Opportunity ⟨p. 472⟩advantageth every work. It is an excellent example that Paul giveth us, Gal. 2.•. He communicated the Gospel to them, yet privately to them of reputation, lest he should run in vain. Some men would take this to be a sinful complying with their Corruption, to yield so far to their pride and bashfulness, as to teach them only in private, because they would be ashamed to own the Truth in Public: But PAUL knew how great a hinderance mens reputation is to their entertaining of the Truth; and that the remedy must not only be fitted to the disease, but also to the strength of the Patient; and that in so doing the Physician is not guilty of favouring the disease, but is praise-worthy for taking the right way to cure; and that learners and young-beginners, must not be dealt with as open professors. Moreover, means will work easily if you take the opportunity; when the Earth is soft, the Plough will enter. Take a man when he is under affliction, or in the house of mourning, or newly stirred by some moving Sermon, and then set it home, and you may do him good. Christian Faithfulness doth require us, not only to do good when it falls in our way, but to watch for opportunities of doing good.