N17286:22
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.
4. I add, That this happiness consists in obtaining the end, where I mean the ultimate and principal end, not any subordinate or less principal end. O how much doth our everlasting state depend on our right judgment and estimation of our end!
But it is a doubt with many, whether the attainment of this glory may be our end? Nay, concluded, that it is mercenary: yea, that to make salvation the end of duty, is to be a Legalist, and act under a covenant of works, whose tenor is, Do this and live. And money that think it may be our end, yet think it may not be our ultimate end; for that should be only the glory of GOD. I shall answer these briefly.
But it is a doubt with many, whether the attainment of this glory may be our end? Nay, concluded, that it is mercenary: yea, that to make salvation the end of duty, is to be a Legalist, and act under a covenant of works, whose tenor is, Do this and live. And mony that think it may be our end, yet think it may not be our ultimate end; for that should be only the glory of GOD. I shall answer these briefly.
1. It is properly called mercenary, when we expect it as wages for work done; and so we may not make it our end. Otherwise it is only such a mercenariness as Christ commandeth. For consider what this end ⟨p. 10⟩is; it is the fruition of GOD in Christ: and if seeking Christ be mercenary, I desire to be so mercenary.
1. It is properly called mercenary, when we expect it as wages for work done; and so we may not make it our end. Otherwise it is only such a mercinariness as Christ commandeth. For consider what this end