A27017:2092
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 yet it costeth me so dear, that in a temptation I am almost ready to prefer the quiet silent night, before such a rough tempestuous day. But there I shall have Light and Rest together, and the quietness of the night without its darkness. I can never now have the Lightning without the Thunder, which maketh it seem more dreadful then delightful. And shouldst thou be loth then, O my soul, to leave this for the Eternal perfect Light? and to change thy Candle, for the glorious Sun? and to change thy Studies, and Preaching, and Praying, for the Harmonious Praises, and fruition of the Blessed God?
Nor will thy loss be greater in the change of thy company, then of thine employment. Thy friends here have been indeed thy delight: And have they not been also thy vexation, and thy grief? They are gracious; and are they not also sinful? they are kind and loving; and are they not also peevish, froward, and soon displeased? they are humble; but withal, alas, how proud! they will scarce endure to hear plainly of their disgraceful faults; they cannot bear undervaluing, or disrespect; they itch after the good thoughts, and applause of others; they love those best, that highliest esteem them: The missing of a courtesy, a supposed slighting or disrespect; the contradicting of their words or humours, a difference in opinion, yea, the turning of a straw, will quickly show thee the pride, and the uncertainty of thy friend. Their graces are sweet to thee, and their gifts are helpful; but are not their corruptions bitter, and their imperfections hurtful? Though at a distance they seem to thee most Holy and Innocent; yet when they come nearer thee, and thou hast throughly tried them, alas, what silly, frail, and froward pieces are the best of men! Then the knowledge which thou didst admire, appeareth clouded with ignorance; and the virtues that so shined as a Glow-worm in the night, are scarcely to be found when thou seekest them by day-light. When temptations are strong, how quickly do they yield? what wounds have they given to Religion by their shameful falls? Those that have been famous for their Holiness, have been as infamous for their notorious heinous wickedness; those that have been thy ⟨p. 830⟩[…] ⟨p. 831⟩