N17286:445
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.
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.
Object. 5. Oh but if I had that consolation, which you say GOD reserveth for our suffering times, I should suffer more contentedly: but I do not perceive any such thing.
Answ. 1. The more you suffer for righteousness-sake, the more of this blessing you may expect; and the more you suffer for your own evil-doing, the longer you must look to stay till that sweetness come. When we have by our folly provoked GOD to chastise us, shall we presently look that he should fill us with comfort? That were (as Mr. Paul Bayn saith) to make affliction to be no affliction. What good would the bitterness do us, if it be presently drowned in that sweetness? It is well in such sufferings, if you have but supporting grace; and if your sufferings are sanctified to work out your sin.