N17286:368
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.
2. The merry company, and discourse of these men do take away the thoughts of his spiritual state, and make the understanding drunk: so that if the Spirit had before put into them any jealousy of themselves, or any purpose to try themselves, these do soon quench all.
3. Also their continual discourse of matters of the world, doth damp all these purposes.
4. Their railings also, and scorning at godly persons, is a very great impediment to multitudes of souls, and possesseth them with such a prejudice and ⟨p. 171⟩dislike of the way to heaven, that they settle in the way they are in.
5. Their constant persuasions, allurements, threats, hinder much. GOD doth scarce ever open the eyes of a poor sinner, to see that his way is wrong, but presently there is a multitude of Satan's apostles ready to flatter him, and daub, and deceive, and settle him again in the quiet possession of his former master. What, say they, do you make a doubt of your salvation, who have lived so well, and done no body harm? GOD is merciful: and if such as you shall not be saved, GOD help a great many: what do you think is become of all your fore-fathers? And what will become of all your friends and neighbours that live as you do? Will they all be damned? Shall none be saved think you, but a few strict ones? Come, come, if ye hearken to these books or preachers, they will drive you to despair, or drive you out of your wits: thus do they follow the soul that is escaping from Satan, with restless cries, till they have brought him back: Oh, how many thousands have such charms kept asleep in security, till death and hell have awakened and better informed them! The LORD calls to the sinner, and tells him, The gate is strait, the way is narrow, and few find it: try and examine whether thou be in the faith or no: give all diligence to make sure in Time.—And the world cries out clean the contrary, never doubt, never trouble yourselves with these thoughts:—I entreat the sinner that is in this strait, to consider, that it is Christ, and not their fathers, or mothers, or neighbours, or friends that must judge them: and if Christ condemn them, these cannot fae them: and therefore common reason may tell them, that it is n from the words of ignorant men, but from the word of GOD that they must fetch their hopes of salvation.