A27017:1917
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. VII.1
- 1§. 7.
3. The next Affection to be acted, is Hope. This is of singular use to the soul. It helpeth exceedingly to support it in sufferings; it encourageth to adventure upon the greatest difficulties; it firmly establisheth it in the most shaking trials; and it mightily enlivens the soul in duties; and is the very spring that sets all the wheels a going: Who would Preach, if it were not in hope to prevail with poor sinners for their Conversion and Confirmation? who would pray, but for his hope to prevail with God? who would believe, or obey, or strive, or suffer, or do any thing for Heaven, if it were not for the hope that he hath to obtain it? Would the Mariner sail, and the Merchant adventure, if they had not hope of safety and success? would the Husbandman plough, and sow, and take pains, if he had not hope of increase at Harvest? would the Soldier fight, if he hoped not for victory? Sure•io man doth adventure upon known impossibilities. Therefore it is, that they who pray merely from custom, or merely from conscience, considering it as a duty only, but looking for no great matters from God by their prayers, are generally formal and heartless therein; whereas the Christian that hath observed the wonderful success of prayer, and as verily looks for benefit by it, and thriving to his soul in the use of it, as he looks for benefit by his labours, and thriving to his body in the use of his food, how faithfully doth he follow it? and how cheerfully go through it? O, how willingly do we Ministers study? how cheerfully do we Preach? What life doth it put into our instructions and exhortations, when we have but hope that our labour will succeed? when we discern a people attend to the Word, and regard the Message, and hear them inquire what they shall do, as men that are willing to be ruled by God, and as men that would fain have their souls to be saved; you would not think how it helpeth us, both for invention and expression! O who can choose but pray heartily for, and preach heartily to such a people! As the sucking of the young one doth draw forth the milk, so will the peoples desire and obedience draw forth the Word: So that a dull people, make dull Preachers, and a lively people, make a lively Preacher. So great a force hath hope in all our duties. As hope