N17286:443
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 10: The Reason of the Saints Afflictions here.
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.
Answ. 1. Whoever is the instrument, the affliction is from GOD, and the provoking cause from thyself: and were it not fitter that thou look more to GOD and thyself?
2. Dost thou not know, that good men are still sinful in part? and that their hearts are naturally deceitful, and desperately wicked, as well as others? Learn therefore a better lesson from the prophet, Mich. vii. 5, 6, 7. Trust not (too much) in a friend, nor put confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom: but look rather for the LORD, and wait for the GOD of thy salvation.
3. It is likely thou hast given that love and trust to men, which was due only to GOD; or which thou hast denied him: and then no wonder if he chastise thee by them. If we would use our friends as friends, GOD would make them our helps and comforts: but when once we make them our gods, by excessive love and trust, then he suffers them to be our accusers and tormentors: it is more safe to me to have any creature a satan than a god: to be tormented by them than to idolize them. Till thou hast learned to suffer ⟨p. 194⟩from the good, as well as the ungodly, never look to live a contented or comfortable life, nor ever think thou hast truly learned the art of suffering.