A27017:1486
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 12 › Section 15
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.
3. Next, set presently to work, and learn your selves. If you can read, do: if you cannot, get some that can: and be much among those that will instruct and help you; be not ashamed to be seen among learners, though it be to be Catechized: but be ashamed that you had not learned soone•. God forbid you should be so mad, as to say, I am now too old to learn: Except you be too old to serve God, and be saved; how can you be too old to learn to be saved? Why not rather; I am too old to serve the Devil and the world? I have tried them too long to trust them any more? What if your parents had not taught you any trade to live by? or what if they had never taught you to speak? would not you have set your selves to learn when you had come to age? Remember that you have souls to care for, as well as your children: and therefore first begin with your selves.
3. Next, set presently to work, and learn your selves. If you can read, do: if you cannot, get some that can: and be much among those that will instruct and help you; be not ashamed to be seen among learners, though it be to be Catechized: but be ashamed that you had not learned soone•. God forbid you should be so mad, as to say, I am now too old to learn: Except you be too old to serve God, and be saved; how can you be too old to learn to be saved? Why not rather; I am too old to serve the Devil and the world? I have tryed them too long to trust them any more? What if your parents had not taught you any trade to live by? or what if they had never taught you to speak? would not you have set your selves to learn when you had come to age? Remember that you have souls to care for, as well as your children: and therefore first begin with your selves.
4. In the mean time while you are learning your selves, teach your children what do you know: and what you cannot teach them your selves, put them on to learn it of others that can: persuade them into the company of the godly, who will be glad to instruct them. If French men, or Welsh men lived in the Town among us, that could not understand our language; would they not converse with those that do understand it? and would they not daily send their children to learn it by being in the company of those that speak it? so do you, that you may learn the heavenly language: Get among those that use it; and encourage your children to do so to: Have you no godly neighbours that will be helpful to you herein? O do not keep your selves strange to them; but go among them and desire their help; and be thankful to them, that they will entertain you into their company. God forbid you should be like those that Christ speaks of