A27017:1763
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.
SECT. IV.
4. Another help to this Heavenly Life, is, To be much in serious discoursing of it, especially with those that can speak from their hearts, and are seasoned themselves with an heavenly nature. Its pity, (saith Mr. Bolton) that Christians should ever meet together, without some talk of their meeting in Heaven, or the way to it before they part: Its pity so much precious time is spent among Christians, in vain discourses, foolish janglings, and useless disputes, and not a sober word of Heaven among them; Methinks we should meet together of purpose, to warm our spirits with discoursing of our Rest. To hear a Minister or private Christian set forth that blessed Glorious State, with power and life from the Promises of the Gospel; Methinks should make us say, as the two Disciples,1 Did not our hearts burn within us, while he was opening to us the Scripture? while he was opening to us the windows of Heaven?2 If a Felix, or wicked wretch will tremble, when he hears his judgment powerfully denounced, why should not the believing soul be revived, when he hears his Eternal Rest revealed? Get then together, fellow Christians, and talk of the affairs of your Country and Kingdom, and comfort one another with such words, 1 Thess. 4.18. If Worldlings get together, they will be talking of the World; when Wantons are together, they will be talking of their Lusts, and wicked men can be delighted in talking of wickedness; and should not Christians then delight themselves in talking of Christ? and the heirs of heaven in talking of their Inheritance? This may make our hearts revive within us, as it did Jacobs to hear the Message that called him to Goshen, and to see the Chariots that should bring him to Joseph O that we were furnished with skill and resolution, to turn the stream of mens common discourse, to these more sublime and precious things! And when men begin to