A27017:1672
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.
For in time of trouble he shall hide me in his Pavilion; in the secret of his Tabernacle he shall hide me, he shall set me up upon a rock. And then shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; therefore shall I offer in that his Tabernacle sacrifices of joy, and sing, yea, sing praises unto the Lord, Psal. 27.4, 5, 6. Therefore as thou wilt then be ready with David to pray, Be not far from me, for trouble is near, Psal. 22.11. So let it be thy own chiefest care, not to be far from God and Heaven, when trouble is near; and thou wilt then find him to be unto thee, a very present help in trouble, Psal. 46.1. Then though the figtree should not blossom, neither should fruit be in the Vines, the labour of the Olive should fail, and the fields should yield no meat, the stock should be cut off from the fold, and there were no heard in the stalls: Yet thou mightest rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of thy Salvation, Hab▪ 3.17, 18. All sufferings are nothing to us, so far as we have the foresight of this salvation. No bolts, nor bars, nor distance of place, can shut out these supporting joys; because they cannot confine our faith and thoughts, although they may confine our flesh. Christ and Faith are both Spiritual; and therefore prisons and banishments cannot hinder their intercourse. Even when persecution and fear hath shut the doors, Christ can come in, and stand in the midst, and say to his Disciples, Peace be unto you. And Paul and Silas can be in Heaven, even when they are locked up in the inner prison, and their bodies scourged, and their feet in the stocks. No wonder if there be more mirth in their stocks, then on Herod's throne; for there was more of Christ and Heaven. The Martyrs find more Rest in the ⟨p. 625⟩flames, then their persecutors can in their pomp and tyranny; because they foresee the flames they scape, and the Rest which that fiery Chariot is conveying them too. It is not the place that gives the Rest, but the presence and beholding of Christ in it. If the Son of God will walk with us in it,1