N17286:521
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.
7. Consider, lastly, the happy consequences of this work, where it is faithfully done: to name some:
1. You may be instrumental in that blessed work of saving souls, a work that Christ came down and died for, a work that the angels of GOD rejoice in; for, saith the Holy Ghost, If any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James v. 19, 20. And how can GOD more highly honour you, than to make you instruments in so great a work? 2. Such souls will bless you here and hereafter. They may be angry with you at first; but if your words succeed, they will bless the day that ever they knew you, and bless GOD that sent you to speak to them. 3. It bringeth much advantage to yourselves: first, it will increase your graces, both as it is a course that GOD will bless, and as it is an acting of them in this persuading of others: he that will not let you lose a cup of water which is given for him, will not let you lose these greater works of charity; besides, those that have practised this duty, must find by experience, that they never go on more prosperously towards heaven, than when they do most to help others thither with them: it is not here as with worldly treasure, the more you give away, the less you have: but the more you give, the more you have: the setting forth Christ in his fullness to others, will warm your own hearts; the opening the evil and danger of sin to others, will increase your hatred of it. Secondly, it will increase ⟨p. 230⟩your glory as well as your grace, both as a duty which GOD will reward, (For they that convert many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for-ever and ever. Dan. xii. 3.) and also as we shall there behold them in heaven, and be their associates in blessedness, whom GOD made us here the instruments to convert. Thirdly, however, it will give us much peace of conscience, whether we succeed or not, to think that we were faithful, and did our best to save them, and that we are clear from the blood of all men. Fourthly, besides, that is a work, that if it succeed doth exceedingly rejoice an honest heart: he that hath any sense of GOD's honour, or the least affection to the soul of his brother, must needs rejoice much at his conversion, whosoever be the instrument, but especially when GOD maketh ourselves the means of so blessed a work.