N17286:446
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.
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.
2. Do you not neglect or resist the comforts which you desire? GOD hath filled precepts and promises, and other of his providences, with matter of comfort: if you overlook all these, and observe one cross more than a thousand mercies, who maketh you uncomfortable but yourselves? If you resolve you will not be comfortable as long as any thing aileth your flesh, you may stay till death before you have comfort.