A27017:1768
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. V.
- 1§. 5.
5. Another help to this Heavenly Life, is this. Make it thy business in every duty, to wind up thy affections nearer Heaven. A mans attainments and receivings from God, are answerable to his own desires and ends; that which he sincerely seeks, he finds; Gods end in the institution of his Ordinances, was, that they be as so many stepping stones to our Rest, and as the stairs by which (in subordination to Christ) we may daily ascend unto it in our affections: Let this be thy end in using them, as it was Gods end in ordaining them, and doubtless they will not be unsuccessful; though men be personally far asunder, yet they may even by Letters have a great deal of intercourse. How have men been rejoiced by a few lines from a friend, though they could not see him face to face? what gladness have we when we do but read the expressions of his Love? or if we read of our friends prosperity and welfare? Many a one that never saw the fight, hath triumphed and shouted, made Bonfires, and rung Bells, when he hath but heard and read of the Victory; and may not we have intercourse with God in his Ordinances, though our persons be yet so far remote? May not our spirits rejoice in the reading those lines, which contain our Legacy and Charter for heaven? with what Gladness may we read the expressions of Love? and hear of the state of our Celestial Country? with what triumphant shoutings may we applaud our Inheritance, though yet we have not the happiness to behold it? Men that are separated by sea and land, can yet by the mere intercourse of Letters, carry on both great and ⟨p. 677⟩gainful trades, even to the value of their whole estate; and may not a Christian in the wise improvement of duties, drive on this happy trade for Rest? Come not therefore with any lower ends to duties: Renounce Formality, Customariness, and Applause. When thou kneelest down in secret or public prayer, let it be in hope to get thy heart nearer God before thou risest off thy knees; when thou openest thy Bible or other Books, let it be with this hope, to meet with some passage of Divine truth, and some such blessing of the Spirit with it, as may raise thine affections nearer Heaven, and give thee a fuller taste thereof: when thou art setting thy foot out at thy door, to go to the public Ordinance and Worship, say, I hope to meet with somewhat from God, that may raise my affections before I return;