N17286:405
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 9: Containing Directions to Examination, and some Marks of Trial.
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. Then fall down before GOD, and in hearty prayer desire the assistance of his Spirit, to discover to thee the plain truth of thy condition, and to enlighten thee in the whole progress of the work.
I will not digress to warn you here of the false rules and marks of trial of which you must beware. But I will briefly adjoin some marks to try your title to this rest.
1. Every soul that hath a title to this rest, doth place his happiness in it, and make it the ultimate end of his soul. This is the first mark; which is so plain a truth, that I need not stand to prove it. For this rest consisteth in the full and glorious enjoyment of GOD: and he that maketh not GOD his ultimate end, is in heart a pagan and vile idolater.
Let me ask then; dost thou truly account it thy chief happiness to enjoy the LORD in glory, or dost thou not? Canst thou say with David, The Lord is my portion? And whom have I in heaven, but thee? And whom in earth that I desire in comparison of thee? If thou be an heir of rest, it is thus with thee. Tho' the flesh will be pleading for its own delights, and the world will be creeping into thine affection, yet in thy ordinary, settled, prevailing judgment and affections, thou preferrest GOD before all things in the world.