N17286:326
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 6: An Exhortation to Seriousness in seeking Rest.
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.
1. Consider, GOD is in good earnest with you; and why then should you not be so with him? In his commands, he means as he speaks, and will verily require your real obedience. In his threatenings he is serious, and will make them all good against the rebellious. In his promises he is serious, and will fulfil them to the obedient, even to the least tittle. In his judgments he is serious, as he will make his enemies know to their terror. Was not GOD in good earnest when he drowned the world, when he consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, when he scattered the Jews? And very shortly will lay hold on his enemies, particularly man by man, and make them know that he is in good earnest: especially when it comes to the great reckoning day. And is it time then for us to dally with GOD?
1. Consider, GOD is in good earnest with you; and why then should you not be so with him? In his commands, he means as he speaks, and will verily require your real obedience. In his threatenings he is serious, and will make them all good against the rebellious. In his promises he is serious, and will fulfil them to the obedient, even to the least tittle. In his judgments he is serious, as he will make his enemies know to their terror. Was not GOD in good earnest when he drowned the world, when he consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, when he scattered the Jews? And very shortly will lay hold on his enemies, particularly man by man, and make them know that he is in good earnest: especia••y when it comes to the great reckoning day. And is it time then for us to dally with GOD?
2. JESUS CHRIST was serious in purchasing our redemption. He was serious in teaching, when he neglected his m••t and drink, John iv. 32. He was serious in praying, when he continued all night at it. He was serious in doing good, when his kindred came and laid hands on him, thinking he had been beside himself. He was serious in suffering, when he fasted forty days, was tempted, betrayed, spit on, buffeted, crowned with thorns, sweat blood, was crucified, pierced, died. There was no jesting in all this: and should we not be serious in seeking our own salvation?