A27017:2087
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.
every one running, and sweating with foolish violence, and labouring the downfall of all that are in his way, and all to get it into his own power, that he may have the managing of the work himself, and may drive it before him, which way he pleaseth; and when all is done, the best usage it may expect from them, is, But to be spurned about in the dirt, till they have driven it on to the Goal of their private interests, or deluded fancies! There is none of this disorder in the Heavenly Jerusalem; there shall I find a Government without imperfection, and obedience without the least unwillingness, or rebellion; even a harmonious consent of perfected Spirits, in obeying and praising their Everlasting King. O how much better is it to be a Door-keeper there, and the least in that Kingdom, then to be *the Conqueror or Commander of this tumultuous World? there will our Lord govern all immediately by himself, and not put the Reins in the hands of such ignorant Riders, nor govern by such foolish and sinful deputies, as the best of the sons of men now are. Dost thou so mourn for these inferior disorders, O my soul? and yet wouldst thou not be out of it? How long hast thou desired to be a Member of a more perfect, reformed Church? and to join with more holy, humble, sincere souls, in the purest and most Heavenly worship? Why, dost thou ⟨p. 819⟩not see that on Earth thy desires fly from thee? Art thou not as a child that thinketh to travel to the Sun. when he seeth it rising or setting, as it were close to the Earth; but as he travelleth toward it, it seems to go from him; and when he hath long wearied himself, it is as far off as ever; for the thing he seeketh, is in another world. Even such hath been thy labour in seeking for so holy, so pure, so peaceable a Society, as might afford thee a contented settlement here. Those that have gone as far as America for satisfaction, have confessed themselves unsatisfied still. When wars, and the calamities attending them, have been over, I have said,2 Return now my soul unto thy Rest: But how restless a condition hath next succeeded? When God had given me the enjoyment of Peace, and Friends, and Liberty of the Gospel; and had settled me even as my own heart desired; I have been ready to say, Soul take thy ease and rest: But how quickly hath Providence called me Fool? and taught me to call my state by another name?