N17286:210
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
Part 2 › Chapter 2: The Aggravation of the Loss of Heaven to the Ungodly.
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.
3. It will yet more torment them to remember, not only the possibility, but the great probability that once they were in, to obtain the crown. It will then wound them, to think: why, I had once the gales ⟨p. 98⟩of the Spirit ready to have assisted me. I was fully purposed to have been another man, to have cleaved to Christ, and to have forsook the world; I was almost resolved to have been wholly for GOD: I had even cast off my old companions, and yet I turned back, and lost my hold, and broke my promises, and slacked my purposes; almost GOD had persuaded me to be a real christian, and yet I conquered those persuasions. What workings were in my heart! when a faithful minister pressed home the truth. O how fair was I once for heaven! I had almost had i•, and yet I have lost it; if I had but followed on to seek the LORD, and blown up the sparks of desire which were kindled in me, I had now been blessed among the saints.
4. Yet further, it will much add to their torment to remember that GOD himself did condescend to entreat them: how long he did wait, how freely he did offer, how lovingly he did invite, and how importunately he did solicit them! how the Spirit did continue striving with their hearts, as if he were loth to take a denial: how Christ stood knocking at the door of their hearts, sermon after sermon, and one sabbath after another; crying out, open, sinner, open thy heart to the Saviour, and I will come in and sup with thee and thou with me. Why dost thou thus delay? What dost thou mean, that thou dost not open to me? How long shall it be till thou attain to innocency? How long shall thy vain thoughts ledge within thee? Woe to thee, Oh unworthy sinner! Wilt thou not be made clean? Wilt thou not be pardoned and sanctified, and made happy? When shall it once be? Oh that thou wouldst hearken to my word, and obey my gospel! Then should thy peace be as th• […], and thy righteousness as the waves of the s•a: though thy sins were as red as crimson, I would mak them as white as the snow: O that thou were but wise to consider this! and that thou