N17286:123
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: extracted from the works of Mr. Richard Baxter, by John Wesley, M.A. late fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford.
Philadelphia: printed by Prichard & Hall, 1790
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.
Brethren, you that now can attempt no work of GOD without resistance, and find you must either lose the love of the world, and your outward comforts, or else the love of GOD, and your eternal salvation; consider you shall in heaven have no discouraging company, nor any but who will further your work, and gladly join heart and voice with you in your everlasting joy and praises. Till then, possess your souls in patience: bind all reproaches as a crown to your heads: esteem them greater riches than the world's treasure: account it matter of joy when ye fall into tribulation. You have seen that our GOD is able to deliver us; but this is nothing to our final deliverance: he will recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you that are troubled rest with CHRIST.
4. We shall then also rest from all our sad divisions and unchristian quarrels with one another. As he said, who saw the carcasses lie together, as if they had embraced each other, who had been slain by each other in a duel: How lovingly do they embrace one another, who perished through their mutual enmity! So, how lovingly do thousands live together in heaven, who lived in divisions on earth! As he said, who beheld how quietly and peaceably the bones and dust of mortal enemies did lie together, "you did not live together so peaceably." So we may say of multitudes in heaven now all of one mind, one heart, and one employment, you lived not on earth in so sweet familiarity. There is no contention, because none of this pride, ignorance, or other corruption: Paul and Barnabas are now fully reconciled. ⟨p. 65⟩There they are not every man conceited of his own understanding, and in love with the issue of his own brain; but all admiring the divine perfection, and in love with GOD, and one another. As old Gryneus wrote to his friend, "If I see you no more on earth, yet we shall there meet, where Luther and Zuinglius are now well agreed." There is no recording our brethren's infirmities; nor raking into the sores which Christ died to heal. There is no plotting to strengthen our party; nor deep designing against our brethren.