A27017:1384
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.
5. It is the way also to the purity and flourishing of the Church, and to the right erecting and executing the Discipline of Christ; if men would but do what they ought with their neighbours in private, what a help would it be to the success of the Public endeavours of the Ministry? and what hope might we have that daily some would be added to the Church? and if any be obstinate, yet this is the first course that must be taken to reclaim them; who dare separate from them, or excommunicate them before they have been first throughly admonished, and instructed in private? according to Christs Rule, Matth. 18.15, 16.
5. It is the way also to the purity and flourishing of the Church, and to the right erecting and executing the Discipline of Christ; if men would but do what they ought with their neighbours in private, what a help would it be to the success of the Publike endeavors of the Ministry? and what hope might we have that daily some would be added to the Church? and if any be obstinate, yet this is the first course that must be taken to reclaim them; who dare separate from them, or excommunicate them before they have been first throughly admonished, and instructed in private? according to Christs Rule, Matth. 18.15, 16.
6. It bringeth much advantage to your selves: First, It will increase your graces; both as it is a course that God will bless, and as it is an acting of them in this persuading of others; He that will not let you lose a cup of water which is given for him, will not let you lose these greater works of Charity; Besides, those that have practised this duty most conscionably, do find by experience, that they never go on more speedily and prosperously towards heaven,1 then when they do most to help others thither with them: It is not here as with worldly treasure, the more you give away, the less you have; but here, the more you give, the more