N17286:451
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.
HATH GOD set before us such a glorious prize as this everlasting Rest, and made man capable of such an inconceivable happiness? Why then do not all the children of this kingdom bestir themselves more to help others to the enjoyment of it? Alas, how little are poor souls about us, beholden to the most of us! We see the glory of the kingdom, and they do not: we see the misery and torment of those that miss of it, and they do not: we see them wandering quite out of the way, and know if they hold on, they can never come there; and they discern not this themselves. And yet we will not set upon them seriously, and show them their danger and error, and help to bring them into the way that they may live. Alas, how few christians are there to be found, that live as men that are made to do good, and that set themselves with all their might to the saving of souls! No thanks to us if heaven be not empty, and if the souls of our brethren perish not for-ever.
HATH GOD set before us such a glorious prize as this everlasting Rest, and made man capable of such an inconceivable happiness? Why then do not all the children of this kingdom bestir themselves more to help others to the enjoyment of it? Alas, how little are poor souls about us, beholden to the most of us! We see the glory of the kingdom, and they do not: we see the misery and torment of those that miss of it, and they do not: we see them wandering quite out of the way, and know if they hold on, they can never come there; and they discern not this themselves. And yet we will not set upon them seriously, and shew them their danger and error, and help to bring them into the way that they may live. Alas, how few christians are there to be found, that live as men that are made to do good, and that set themselves with all their might to the saving of souls! No thanks to us if heaven be not empty, and if the souls of our brethren perish not for-ever.
But because this is a duty which so many neglect, and so few are convinced that GOD doth expect it at their hands, and yet a duty of so high concernment to the glory of GOD, and the happiness of men; I ⟨p. 196⟩will speak of it somewhat the more largely, and show you, 1. Wherein it doth consist. 2. What is the cause that it is so neglected. 3. Give some considerations to persuade you to the performance of it, and others to the bearing of it. 4. Apply this more particularly to some persons whom it doth nearly concern.