N17286:527
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
Part 2 › Chapter 12: An Advice to some more particularly to help others to this Rest.
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.
Cardan speaks of one that had a receipt that would dissolve the stone in the bladder, and he makes no doubt but that man is in hell, because he never revealed it to any before he died: what shall we say then of them that know the remedy for curing souls, and do not reveal it; nor persuade men to make use of it? Is it not hypocrisy to pray that God's name may be hallowed, and never endeavour to •ring men to hallow it? And can you pray, Let thy kingdom come; and yet never labour for the coming or increase of that kingdom? Is it not ⟨p. 233⟩grief to your hearts to see the kingdom of Satan flourish, and to see him lead captive such a multitude of souls? you say you are soldiers of Christ: and will you do nothing against his prevailing enemies? You pray also daily, That his will may be done; and should you not daily then persuade men to do it? You pray, That God would forgive them their sins, and that he would not lead them into temptation, but deliver them from evil. And yet will you not help them against temptations, nor help to deliver them from the greatest evil? Nor help them to repent and believe, that they may be forgiven? Alas, that your prayers and your practice should so much disagree! Look about you therefore, christians, with an eye of compassion on the sinners about you; be not like the Priest or Levite that saw the man wounded, and passed by: GOD did not so pass by you, when it was your own case. Are not the souls of your neighbours fallen into the hands of Satan? Doth not their misery cry out to you, help, help! As you have any compassion towards men in the greatest misery, help! As you have the hearts of men, and not of tigers in you, help!
Cardan speaks of one that had a receipt that would dissolve the stone in the bladder, and he makes no doubt but that man is in hell, because he never revealed it to any before he died: what shall we say then of them that know the remedy for curing souls, and do not reveal it; nor persuade men to make use of it? Is it not hypocrify to pray that God's name may be hallowed, and never endeavour to •ring men to hallow it? And can you pray, Let thy kingdom come; and yet never labour for the coming or increase of that kingdom? Is it not ⟨p. 233⟩grief to your hearts to see the kingdom of Satan flourish, and to see him lead captive such a multitude of souls? you say you are soldiers of Christ: and will you do nothing against his prevailing enemies? You pray also daily, That his will may be done; and should you not daily then persuade men to do it? You pray, That God would forgive them thir sins, and that he would not lead them into temptation, but deliver them from evil. And yet will you not help them against temptations, nor help to deliver them from the greatest evil? Nor help them to repent and believe, that they may be forgiven? Alas, that your prayers and your practice should so much disagree! Look about you therefore, christians, with an eye of compassion on the sinners about you; be not like the Priest or Levite that saw the man wounded, and passed by: GOD did not so pass by you, when it was your own case. Are not the souls of your neighbours fallen into the hands of Satan? Doth not their misery cry out to you, help, help! As you have any compassion towards men in the greatest misery, help! As you have the hearts of men, and not of tygers in you, help!