N17286:478
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.
Labour therefore to drive all your speeches to the desired issue. If you are reproving sin, cease not till (if it may be) you have got the sinner to promise you to leave it, and to avoid the occasions of it: if you are exhorting to a duty, urge the party to promise you presently to set upon it. If you would draw them to Christ, leave not, till you have made them confess, that their present state is miserable, and not to be rested in: and till they have subscribed to the necessity of a change; and promised you to fall close to the use of means. O that all christians would be persuaded to take this course with all their neighbours that are yet enslaved to sin, and strangers to Christ! 7. Lastly, Be sure your example exhort as well as your words. Let them see you constant in all the duties you persuade them to: let them see in your lives that excellency above the world, which you persuade ⟨p. 212⟩them to in your speeches. Let them see by your constant labours for heaven, that you indeed believe what you would have the•• believe.
And thus I have opened to you the first and great part of this duty, consisting in private exhortation, for the helping of poor souls to this rest, that have yet no title to it; and I have showed you also the manner how to perform it. I will now speak a little of the next part.
And thus I have opened to you the first and great part of this duty, consisting in private exhortation, for the helping of poor souls to this rest, that have yet no title to it; and I have shewed you also the manner how to perform it. I will now speak a little of the next part.
1. Besides the duty of private admonition, you must do your utmost endeavours to help men to profit by the public ordinances. And to that end, First, do your endeavours for the procuring of faithful ministers where they are wanting. This is GOD'S ordinary means of converting and saving. How shall they hear without a preacher? Not only for your own sakes herefore, but for the poor miserable ones about you, do all you can to bring this to pass. Improve all your interest and diligence to this end. Ride, and go, and seek, and make friends till you prevail. Who knoweth how many souls may bless you, who have been converted by the ministry which you have procured? It is an higher and nobler work of charity, than if you gave all that you have to relieve their bodies.