A27017:1649
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
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.
1SECT. VI.
- 1§. 6.
4. Consider, A heart in heaven will be a most excellent preservative against temptations, a powerful means to kill thy corruptions, and to save thy conscience from the wounds of sin: God can prevent our sinning, though we be careless, and keep off the temptation which we would draw upon our selves; and sometime doth so; but this is not his usual course, nor is this our safest way to escape. When the mind is either idle, or ill employed, the devil needs not a greater advantage; when he finds the thoughts let out on Lust, Revenge, Ambition, or Deceit, what an opportunity hath he to move for Execution, and to put on the Sinner to practise what he thinks on? Nay, if he find the mind but empty, there's room for any thing that he will bring in; but when he finds the heart in heaven, what hope that any of his motions should take? Let him entice to any forbidden course, or show us the bait ⟨p. 611⟩of any pleasure, the soul will return Nehemiah's Answer, I am doing a great work, and cannot come, Neh. 6.3. Several ways will this preserve us against Temptations. First, By keeping the heart employed. Secondly, By clearing the Understanding, and so confirming the Will. Thirdly, By prepossessing the Affections with these highest delights. Fourthly, And by keeping us in the way of Gods blessing.
4. COnsider, A heart in heaven will be a most excellent preservative against temptations, a powerful means to kill thy corruptions, and to save thy conscience from the wounds of sin: God can prevent our sinning, though we be careless, and keep off the temptation which we would draw upon our selves; and sometime doth so; but this is not his usual course, nor is this our safest way to escape. When the minde is either idle, or ill imployed, the devil needs not a greater advantage; when he finds the thoughts let out on Lust, Revenge, Ambition, or Deceit, what an opportunity hath he to move for Execution, and to put on the Sinner to practise what he thinks on? Nay, if he finde the minde but empty, there's room for any thing that he will bring in; but when he finds the heart in heaven, what hope that any of his motions should take? Let him entice to any forbidden course, or shew us the baite