N17286:48
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.
3. This rest containeth the highest degree of perfection, both of soul and body. This qualifies them to enjoy the glory, and thoroughly to partake the sweetness of it. Were the glory never so great, and themselves not made capable of it, it would be little to them. But the more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical the ear, the more pleasant the melody. The more perfect the soul, the more joyous those joys, and the more glorious is that glory. Nor is it only sinful imperfection that is removed, nor only that which is the fruit of sin, but that which adhered to us in our pure nature. There is far more procured by Christ, than was lost by Adam. It is the misery of wicked men here, that all without them is mercy, but within them an heart full of sin, shuts the door against all, and makes them but the more miserable. When all is well within, then all is well indeed. Therefore will GOD, as a special part of his saints happiness, perfect themselves as well as their condition.
4. This rest containeth, as the principal part, our nearest fruition of GOD. As all good whatsoever is comprised in GOD, and all in the creature are but drops of this ocean; so all the glory of the blessed is comprised in their enjoyment of GOD: and if there be any mediate joys there, they are but drops from this. If men and angels should study to speak the blessedness of the estate, in one word, what can they say beyond this, That it is the nearest enjoyment of GOD? Say, They have GOD; and you say, they have all that is worth the having. O the full joys offered to a believer in that one sentence of Christ's! I would not for all the world that verse had been left out of the bible; Father, I will, that those whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me, John xvii. 24. Every word is full of life and joy. If the queen of Sheba had cause to say of Solomon's glory, Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants that stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom; then sure they that stand continually before GOD, and see his glory, and the glory of the Lamb, are somewhat more than happy; to them will CHRIST give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of GOD,