A27017:894
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. III. › Chapter 4 › Section 10
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.
8. Also what aileth thy companions who were as resolute as thy self, that when they lye a dying their courage is so cooled, and their haughty expressions are so greatly changed? They who had the same spirits and language as thou hast now, and made as light of all the threats of the word, yet when they see they are going into another world, how pale do they look? how faintly do they speak? how dolefully do they complain and groan? They send for the Minister then, whom they despised before, and desire to be prayed for, and would be glad to dye in the state of those, whom they would not be persuaded to imitate in their lives. Except it be here and there a desperate wretch, who is given over to a more then Hellish hardness of heart. Why cannot these make as light of it as thou?
8. Also what aileth thy companions who were as resolute as thy self, that when they lye a dying their courage is so cooled, and their haughty expressions are so greatly changed? They who had the same spirits and language as thou hast now, and made as light of all the threats of the word, yet when they see they are going into another world, how pale do they look? how faintly do they speak? how dolefully do they complain and groan? They send for the Minister then, whom they despised before, and desire to be prayed for, and would be glad to dye in the state of those, whom they would not be perswaded to imitate in their lives. Except it be here and there a desperate wretch, who is given over to a more then Hellish hardness of heart. VVhy cannot these make as light of it as thou?
9. Yet further, if thou be so fearless of that eternal misery, why is the least foretaste of it so terrible? Didst thou never feel such a thing as a tormenting conscience? If thou hast not, thou shalt do. Didst thou never see and speak with a man that lived in desperation? or in some degree of these wounds of spirit, that was near despair? How uncomfortable was their conference? How burdensome their lives? Nothing doth them good which they possess; The sight of friends, or house, or goods which refresh others, is a trouble to them: They feel no sweetness in meat or drink: They are weary of life, and fearful of death: What is the matter with these men? If the Misery of the damned it self can be endured, why cannot they more easily endure these little sparks?