A27017:282
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.
Sixthly.6 Again, a further excellency is this: It will be unto us a seasonable Rest. He that expecteth the fruit of his Vineyard in season, and maketh his people as Trees planted by the waters, fruitful in their season; he will also give them the Crown in season. He that will have the words of Joy spoken to the weary in season, will sure cause that time of Joy to appear in the meetest season. And they who knew the season of Grace, and did repent ⟨p. 92⟩and believe in season,2 shall also if they faint not, reap in season. If God will not miss the season of common Mercies, even to his enemies;3 but will give both the former and latter rain in their season; and the appointed weeks of the Harvest in its season, and by an inviolable Covenant hath established day and night in their seasons: Then sure the Harvest of the Saints, and their day of gladness shall not miss its season. Doubtless he that would not stay a day longer then his promise,4 but brought Israel out of Egypt that self same day that the 430 years were expired; neither will he fail of one day or hour of the fittest season for his peoples glory. And as Christ failed not to come in the fullness of time, even then when Daniel and others had foretold his coming; so in the fullness and fitness of time will his second coming be. He that hath given the Stork ▪ 5the Crane, the Swallow, to know their appointed time, will surely keep his time appointed. When we have had in this world a long night of sad darkness, will not the day-breaking, and the arising of the Sun of Righteousness be then seasonable? When we have endured a hard Winter in this cold Climate, will not the reviving Spring be then seasonable? When we have (as Paul) sailed slowly many days,6 and much time spent, and sailing now grown more dangerous; and when neither Sun nor Stars in many days appear, and no small tempest lieth on us, and all hope that we shall be saved, is almost taken away, do you think the Haven of Rest is not then seasonable? When we have passed a long and tedious Journey, and that through no small dangers; is not Home then seasonable? When we have had a long and perilous War, and have lived in the midst of furious Enemies, and have been forced to stand on a perpetual watch, and received from them many a wound; would not a Peace with Victory be now seasonable?