A27017:926
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 5 › Section 5
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.
We tell them of heaven and hell in such a sleepy tone, and sleighty way, as if we were but acting a part in a Play; so that we usually preach our people asleep with those subjects which one would think should rather endanger the driving of some besides themselves if they were faithfully delivered. Not that I commend, or excuse that real indiscretion, and unseemly language, and nauseous repetitions, and ridiculous gestures, whereby many do disgrace the work of God, and bring his ordinances in contempt with the people, nor think it fit that he should be an Ambassador from God on so weighty a business, that is not able to speak sense or reason: But in a word, our want of seriousness about the things of Heaven, doth charm the souls of men into formality, and hath brought them to this customary, careless hearing, which undoes them: The Lord pardon the great ⟨image 206⟩sin of the Ministry in this thing; and in particular, my own.
We tell them of heaven and hell in such a sleepy tone, and sleighty way, as if we were but acting a part in a Play; so that we usually preach our people asleep with those subjects which one would think should rather endanger the driving of some besides themselves if they were faithfully delivered. Not that I commend, or excuse that reall indiscretion, and unseemly language, and nauseous repetitions, and ridiculous gestures, whereby many do disgrace the work of God, and bring his ordinances in contempt with the people, nor think it fit that he should be an Embassador from God on so weighty a business, that is not able to speak sense or reason: But in a word, our want of seriousness about the things of Heaven, doth charme the souls of men into formality, and hath brought them to this customary, careless hearing, which undoes them: The Lord pardon the great ⟨image 206⟩sin of the Ministery in this thing; and in particular, my own.
And are the people any more serious then Magistrates and Ministers? How can it be expected? Reader, look but to thy self, and resolve the question. Ask conscience, and suffer it to tell thee truly: Hast thou set thine Eternal Rest before thine eyes, as the great business which thou hast to do in this world? Hast thou studied and cared, and watched, and laboured, and laid about thee with all thy might, lest any should take thy Crown from thee? Hast thou made hast,