A27017:1948
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. II.
- 1§. 2.
This Soliloquy hath its several parts, and its due method wherein it should be managed. The parts of it are, according to the several Affections of the soul, and according to the several necessities thereof; according to the various Arguments to be used, and according to the various ways of Arguing. So that you see if I should attempt the full handling hereof, it would take up more time and room then I intend or can allow it. Only thus much in brief. As every good Master and Father of a Family, is a good Preacher to his own Family; so every good Christian, is a good Preacher to his own soul. Soliloquy is a Preaching to ones self. Therefore the very same Method which a Minister should use in his Preaching to others, should a Christian use in speaking to himself. Dost thou understand the best Method for a public Preacher? Dost thou know the right parts and order of a Sermon? and which is the most effectual way of application? why then I need to lay it open no further: thou understandest the Method and parts of this soliloquy. Mark the most affecting, heart-melting Minister; observe his course both for matter and manner; set him as a ⟨p. 751⟩pattern before thee for thy imitation; and the same way that he takes with the hearts of his people, do thou also take with thy own heart. Men are naturally addicted to imitation, especially of those whom they most affect and approve of: How near do some Ministers come in their Preaching to the imitation of others, whom they usually hear, and much reverence and value? so mayest thou in this duty of preaching to thy heart: Art thou not ready sometime when thou hearest a Minister, to remember divers things which thou thinkest might be moving and pertinent, and to wish that he would have mentioned and pressed them on the Hearers? why, remember those when thou art exhorting thy self, and press them on thy own heart as close as thou canst.