A27017:285
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.
I confess in regard of the Churches service, the removing of the Saints may sometimes appear to us unseasonable; therefore doth God use it as a Judgment▪ and therefore the Church hath ever prayed hard before they would part with them, and greatly laid to heart their loss? Therefore are the great mournings at the Saint departures, and the sad hearts that accompany them to their graves; but this is not especially for the departed, but for themselves and their children, as Christ bid the weeping women; Therefore also it is that the Saints in danger of death, have oft begged for their lives with that Argument; What profit is there in my blood when, I go down to the Pit? Psal. 30.9. Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? shall thy loving kindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction? shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? Psal. 88.10. ⟨p. 95⟩for in death there is no remembrance of thee; in the grave who shall give thee thanks? Psal. 6.5. And this was it that brought Paul to a strait, because he knew it was better for the church that he should remain here; I must confess it is one of my saddest thoughts, to reckon up the useful instruments, when God hath lately called out of his Vineyard, when the Loiterers are many, and the Harvest great, and very many Congregations desolate, and the people as sheep without shepherds, and yet the labourers called from their work, especially when a door of Liberty and opportunity is open, we cannot but lament so sore a judgment, and think the removal in regard of the Church, unseasonable: I know I speak but your own thoughts; and you are too ready to over-run me in application: I fear you are too sensible of what I speak, and therefore am loath to stir in your sore. I perceive you in the posture of the Ephesian Elders, and had rather abate the violence of your passions: our applications are quicker about our sufferings then our sins; and we will quicklier say, This loss is mine, then This fault is mine. But O consider, my dear friends, hath God any need of such a worm as I? cannot he a 1000 ways supply your wants? you know when your case was worse, and yet he provided. Hath he work to do and will he not find instruments? And though you see not for the present where they should be had;