A27017:2077
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.
and shall have the most hearty entertainment that Heaven affordeth. •f they that heard Christ speak on earth, were astonished at his Wisdom and answers; and wondered at the gracious Words which proceeded from his mouth: How shall I be affected then to behold him in his Majesty?
and shall have the most hearty entertainment that Heaven affordeth. •f they that heard Christ speak on earth, were astonished at his Wisdome and answers; and wondered at the gratious Words which proceeded from his mouth: How shall I be affected then to behold him in his Majesty?
Rouse up thy self yet O my soul, and consider: Can the foresight ⟨p. 814⟩of this glory make others embrace the stake, and kiss the fagot▪ and welcome the cross, and refuse deliverance. And can it not make thee cheerful under lesser sufferings? Can it sweeten the flames to them? and can it not sweeten thy life,1 or thy sickness, or natural death? If a glimpse could make Moses his face to shine, and Peter on the mount so transported, and Paul so exalted, and John so rapt up in the spirit? Why should it not somewhat revive me with delight? Doubtless it would, if my thoughts were more believing▪ Is it not the same Heaven which they and I must live in? Is not their God, their Christ, their Crown and mine the same? Nay how many a weak woman, or poor despised Christian have I seen, mean in parts, but rich in faith, who could rejoice and triumph in hope of this inheritance? And shall I look upon it with so dim an eye? So dull a heart? So dejected a countenance? some small foretastes also I have had my self (though indeed small and seldom through mine own belief) and how much more delightful have they been, then ever was any of these earthly things? The full enjoyment then will sure be sweet. Remember then this bunch of Grapes which thou hast tasted of: and by them conjecture the fruitfulness of the Land of Promise. A Grape in a wilderness cannot be like the plentiful Vintage.