N17286:125
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.
And is it not a shame and pity, that our course is now so contrary? Surely, if there be sorrow or shame in heaven, we shall then be both sorry and ashamed to look one another in the face: and to remember all this carriage on earth, even as the brethren of Joseph were to behold him, when they remembered their former unkind usage. Is it not enough that all the world is against us, but we must also be against ourselves? Did I ever think to have heard christians so to reproach and scorn christians! And men professing the fear of GOD, to make so little conscience of censuring, vilifying, and disgracing one another! O what hellish things are ignorance and pride, that can bring men's souls to such a case as this! Paul knew what he said, when he commanded, that a novice should not be a teacher, lest being lifted up he fall into the condemnation of the Devil, 1 Tim. iii. 6. He discerned that such young christians that have got but a little smattering knowledge in religion, lie in greatest danger of this pride and condemnation. Who but Paul could have foreseen that among the very teachers and governors of so choice a church as Ephesus, there were some that afterwards should be notorious sect-masters? That of their own selves men should arise, speaking per verse things, to draw away disciples after them, Acts xx. 30. Who then can expect better from ⟨p. 66⟩any society now, how knowing and holy soever? To day they may be unanimous, and joined in love; and perhaps within a few weeks be divided, and at bitter enmity, through their doting on questions that tend not to edify.
And is it not a shame and pity, that our course is now so contrary? Surely, if there be sorrow or shame in heaven, we shall then be both sorry and ashamed to look one another in the face: and to remember all this carriage on earth, even as the brethren of Joseph were to behold him, when they remembered their former unkind usage. Is it not enough that all the world is against us, but we must also be against ourselves? Did I ever think to have heard christians so to reproach and scorn christians! And men professing the fear of GOD, to make so little conscience of censuring, vilifying, and disgracing one another! O what hellish things are ignorance and pride, that can bring men's souls to such a case as this! Paul knew what he said, when he commanded, that a novice should not be a teacher, lest being lifted up he fall into the condemnation of the Devil,