N17286:487
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.
1. One hinderance, is, men's own sinfulness and guiltiness. They have not been ravished themselves with the heavenly delights: how then should they draw others to seek them? They have not felt the wickedness of their own nature, nor their loft condition, nor their need of Christ, nor felt the renewing work of the Spirit: how then can they discover these to others? Ah that this were not the case of many a learned preacher in England! And the cause why they preach so frozenly! Men also are guilty ⟨p. 215⟩themselves of the sins they should reprove; and this stops their mouths, and maketh them ashamed to reprove.
2. Another hinderance, is, a secret infidelity prevailing in men's hearts: Alas, sirs, we do not sure believe men's misery; we do not believe sure the threatenings of GOD are true. Did we verily believe that all the uregenerate and unholy shall be eternally tormented, oh how could we hold our tongues when we are among the unregenerate: how could we chose but burst out into tears when we look them in the face, as the prophet did when he looked upon H•zael? Especially when they are our kindred or friends that are near and dear to us? Thus doth secret unbelief consume the vigour of each grace and duty. Oh christians, if you did verily believe that your poor neighbour, or wife, or husband, or child, should certainly lie for-ever in the flames of hell, except they be thoroughly changed, before death doth snatch them hence, would not this make you cast off all discouragements, and lie at them day and night till they were persuaded? How could you hold your tongue, or let them alone another day, if this were soundly believed? If you were sure that any of your dear friends that are dead, were now in hell, and persuading to repentance would get him out again, would not you persuade him day and night if he were in hearing? And why should you not do as much then to prevent it, while he is in your hearing, but that you do not believe GOD'S word that speaks the danger? Oh were it not for this cursed unbelief, our own souls and our neighbour's would gain more by us than they do.