A27017:1820
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. II.1
- 1§. 2.
2. I Advise thee also, concerning thy time for this duty, That as it be stated, so it be frequent; Just how oft it should be, I cannot determine, because mens several conditions may vary it: But in general,1 that it be frequent the Scripture requireth, when it mentioneth meditating continually, and day and night. Circumstances of our condition, may much vary the circumstances of our duties. It may be one mans duty to hear or pray oftener then another's; and so it may be in this Meditation. But for those that can conveniently omit other business, I advise, That it be once a day at least. Though Scripture tell us not, how oft in a day we should eat or drink, yet prudence and experience will direct us, to twice or thrice a day, according to the temper and necessities of our bodies. Those that think they should not tie themselves to order or number of duties, but should then only meditate or pray, when they find the Spirit provoking them to it, do go upon uncertain and unchristian grounds. I am sure, the Scripture provokes us to frequency, and our necessity secondeth the voice of Scripture; and if through my own neglect, or resistance of the Spirit, I do not find it so to excite and quicken me, I dare not therefore disobey the Scripture, nor neglect the necessities of my own soul*. I should suspect that Spirit which would turn my soul from constancy in duty; if the Spirit in Scripture bid me meditate or pray. I dare not forbear it, because I find not the Spirit within me, to second the command: if I find not incitation to duty before, yet I may find assistance, while I wait in performance. I am afraid of laying my corruptions upon the Spirit, or blaming the want of the Spirits assistance, when I should blame the backwardness of my own heart; nor dare I make one corruption a plea for