A27017:2066
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.
Come away my soul then, stop thine ears to the ignorant language of infidelity; Thou art able to answer all its Arguments; Or if thou be not, yet tread them under thy feet. Come away, stand not looking on that grave, nor turning those bones, nor reading thy lesson now in the dust; Those lines will soon be wiped out: But lift up thy head and look to heaven; and read thy instructions in those fixed Stars: Or yet look higher then those eyes can see into that foundation which standeth sure;1 and see thy name in golden letters written before the foundations of the world, in the book of life of the slain Lamb. What if an Angel from Heaven should tell thee, that there is a mansion prepared for thee? that it shall certainly be thine own, and thou shalt possess it for ever? would not such a message make thee glad? And dost thou make light of the infallible word of promises, which were delivered by ⟨p. 807⟩the spirit,2 and by the Son himself? Suppose thou hadst seen a fiery chariot come for thee, and fetch thee up to Heaven like Elijah! would not this rejoice thee? Why, my Lord hath acquainted me, and assured me, that the soul of a Lazarus, a beggar, goes not forth of its corrupted flesh, but a Convoy of Angels are ready to attend it, and bring it to the comforts in Abraham's bosom. Shall a drunkard be so merry among his cups? and a glutton in his delicious fare? and the proud in his bravery and dignity? and the lustful wanton in the enjoyment of his mate? And shall not I rejoice who must shortly be in Heaven? How glad is voluptuous youth of their playtimes and holidays? Why, in Heaven I shall have an everlasting Holiday of Pleasure. Can meat and drink delight me when I hunger and thirst? Can I find pleasure in walks and gardens and convenient dwellings? Can beauteous sights delight mine eyes? and odours my smell? and melody mine ears? And shall not the forethought of the Celestial bliss delight me? my beast is glad of his fresh pasture, and his liberty, and his Rest: And shall not I? What delight have I found in my private studies, especially when they have prospered to the increase of my knowledge!
Come away my soul then, stop thine ears to the ignorant language of infidelity; Thou art able to answer all its Arguments; Or if thou be not, yet tread them under thy feet. Come away, stand not looking on that grave, nor turning those bones, nor reading thy lesson now in the dust; Those lines will soon be wiped out: But lift up thy head and look to heaven; and read thy instructions in those fixed Stars: Or yet look higher then those eyes can see into that foundation which standeth sure;