A27017:895
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.
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?
9. Yet further, if thou be so fearless of that eternall misery, why is the least foretast 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 desparation? or in some degree of these wounds of spirit, that was neer despair? How uncomfortable was their conference? How burdensome their lives? Nothing doth them good which they possesse; 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: VVhat 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?
10. Again, tell me faithfully; What if thou shouldest but see the Devil appear to thee in some terrible shape? Would it not daunt thee? What if thou shouldest meet him in thy way home? Or he should show himself to the at night in thy bed-chamber? would not thy heart fail thee? and thy hair stand an end? I could name thee those that have been as confident as thy self, who by such a sight have been so appalled, that they were in danger of being driven out of their wits. Or what if some damned soul of thy former acquaintance should appear to thee in some bodily likeness? Would not this amaze thee? What fears do people live in, whose houses or persons have been but haunted with spirits? Though they have only heard some noises, and seen some sights, but never felt any hurt upon their