A27017:542
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
THE SAINTS Everlasting REST. PART II. › Chapter 4 › Section 2
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.
If they should, let them consider, First, If it be not matter of Doctrine (much less abstruse and difficult points) but only matter of fact, then its beyond doubt it may be certainly known. Secondly, If it be those also who did see and hear, and handle, who do testify it. Thirdly, If their senses were sound and perfect, within reach of the object, and having no deceiving medium. Fourthly, Which may be discerned 1. If the witnesses be a multitude, for then it may be known they are not blind or deaf, except they had been culled out of some Hospitals: especially when all present do both see and hear them 2. When the thing is done openly in the daylight. 3. When it is done frequently, and near at hand: for then there would be full opportunity to discover any deceit. So that in these cases it is doubtless, sense is infallible, and consequently those that see and hear are most certain witnesses.
If they should, let them consider, First, If it be not matter of Doctrine (much lesse abstruse and difficult points) but only matter of fact, then its beyond doubt it may be certainly known. Secondly, If it be those also who did see and hear, and handle, who do testifie it. Thirdly, If their senses were sound and perfect, within reach of the object, and having no deceiving medium. Fourthly, Which may be discerned 1. If the witnesses be a multitude, for then it may be known they are not blind or deaf, except they had been culled out of some Hospitalls: especially when all present do both see and hear them 2. When the thing is done openly in the daylight. 3. When it is done frequently, and neer at hand: for then there would be full opportunity to discover any deceit. So that in these cases it is doubtless, sense is infallible, and consequently those that see and hear are most certaine witnesses.
2. Next let us see, whether we may be certain that any Testimony ⟨p. 195⟩is sincere, without a purpose to deceive us. And I take that for undoubted in the following cases. 1. Where the party is of ingenuity and honesty. 2. And it is apparent he drives on no design of his own, nor cannot expect any advantage in the world. 3. Nay of his Testimony will certainly undo him in the world, and prove the overthrow of his ease honour, estate and life. 5. And if it be a multitude that do thus testify, How can they do it with an intent to deceive? 6. And if their several Testimonies do agree. 7. And if the very enemies deny not this matter of fact, but only refer it to other causes; then there is no possibility of deceit (as I shall further anon evince when I apply it to the Question.)