A27017:284
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.
then me thinks, the message for a release from the flesh, and our convoy to Christ, should be a seasonable and welcome message.1 If the voice of the King were seasonable to Daniel, early in the morning calling him from his Den, that he might advance him to more then former dignity; then me thinks that morning voice of Christ our King, calling us from our terrors among Lyons, to possess his Rest among his Saints, should be to us a very seasonable voice. Will not Canaan be seasonable after so many years travel, and that through a hazardous and grievous Wilderness? Indeed to the world its never in season: they are already at their own home; and have what they most desire: they are not weary of their present State; the Saints sorrow is their Joy; and the ⟨p. 94⟩Saints weariness is their Rest; Their weary day is coming, where there is no more expectation of Rest: But for the thirsty soul to enjoy the fountain; and the hungry to be filled with the bread of Life; and the naked to be clothed from above, for the children to come to their Fathers house, and the dis-joined members, to be conjoined with their Head; me thinks this should be seldom unseasonable. When the Atheistical world began to insult, and question the Truth of Scripture promises, and ask us, Where is now your God? where is your long looked for glory? where is the promise of your Lords coming? O, how seasonable then, to convince these unbelievers, to silence these scoffers, to comfort the dejected, waiting believer, will the appearing of our Lord be? we are oft grudging now, that we have not a great share of comforts; that our deliverances are not more speedy and eminent; that the world prospers more then we; that our prayers are not presently answered; not considering, that our portion is kept to a fitter season; that these are not always Winter fruits, but when Summer comes we shall have our Harvest. We grudge that we do not find a Canaan in the Wilderness; or cities of Rest in Noah's Ark; and the songs of Zion in a strange Land; that we have not a harbour in the main Ocean; or find not our home in the middle way; and are not crowned in the midst of the fight; & have not our Rest in the heat of the day; and have not our inheritance before we are at age; and have not Heaven, before we leave the Earth; and would not all this be very unreasonable?
then me thinks, the message for a release from the flesh, and our convoy to Christ, should be a seasonable and welcome message.