A27017:1342
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 18
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.
But his brethren on earth they did not see and feel as he, and therefore they did not believe, nor would have been persuaded though one had risen from the dead. 1I am afraid most of us do believe the predictions of Scripture, but as we believe the predictions of an Almanac, which telleth you that such a day will be rain, and such a day wind; you think it may come to pass, and it may be not; and so you think of the predictions of the damnation of the wicked. Oh were it not for this cursed Unbelief, our own Souls and our neighbours would gain more by us then they do.
But his brethren on earth they did not see and feel as he, and therefore they did not believe, nor would have been perswaded though one had risen from the dead. 1I am afraid most of us do believe the predictions of Scripture, but as we believe the predictions of an Almanack, which telleth you that such a day will be rain, and such a day wind; you think it may come to pass, and it may be not; and so you think of the predictions of the damnation of the wicked. Oh were it not for this cursed Unbelief, our own Souls and our neighbors would gain more by us then they do.
3. This faithful dealing with men for their Salvation, is much Hindered also by our want of Charity and Compassion to mens Souls. We are hard-hearted and cruel towards the miserable; and therefore (as the Priest and the Levite did by the wounded man) we look on them and pass by. Oh what tender heart could endure to look upon a poor, blind, forlorn sinner, wounded by sin, and captivated by Satan, and never once open our mouths for his recovery? What though he be silent, and do not desire thy help himself; yet his very misery cries aloud: Misery is the most effectually suitor to one that is compassionate. If God had not heard the cry of our Miseries before he heard the cry of our prayers, and been moved by his own pity before he was moved by our importunity, we might have long enough continued the slaves of Satan. Is it not the strongest way of arguing that a poor Lazar hath, to unlap his sores, and show them the passengers? all his words will not move them so much as such a pitiful sight. Alas, what pitiful sights do we daily see? The Ignorant, the profane, the neglecters of Christ and their Souls; their sores are open and visible to all that know them: and yet do we not pity them? You will pray to God for them in customary duties, that God would open the eyes, and turn the hearts of your ignorant carnal friends and neighbours: And why do you not endeavour their conversion if you desire it? And if you do not desire it, why do you ask it? Doth not your negligence convince you of hypocrisy in your prayers, and of abusing the high God with your deceitful words?