N17286:6
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.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF KIDDERMINSTER.
MY DEAR FRIENDS,
IF either I or my labours have any thing of public use or worth, it is wholly (though not only) yours. And I am convinced by Providence, that it is the will of GOD it should be so. This I clearly discerned in my first coming to you, in my former abode with you, and in the time of my forced absence from you. When I was separated by the miseries of the late unhappy war, I durst not six in any other congregation, but lived in a military unpleasing state, lest I should forestall my return to you. The offers of greater worldly accommodations were no temptation to me once to question whether I should have you: your free invitation of my return, your ceedi••• to my doctrine, the strong affection which I have yet towards you above all people, and the general hearty return of love which I find from you, do all persuade me, that I was sent into the world especially for the service of your send•• ⟨p. iv⟩and that even when I am dead, I might be yet a help to your salvation, the LORD hath forced me, quite beside my own resolution, to write thi• treatise, and leave it in your hands. It was far from my thoughts ever to have become thus public, and burdened the world with any writing of mine: therefore have I often resisted the request of my reverend brethren, and some superiors, who might else have commanded much more at my hands. But see how GOD over-••leth and crosseth our resolutions!
IF either I or my labours have any thing of public use or worth, it is wholly (though not only) yours. And I am convinced by Providence, that it is the will of GOD it should be so. This I clearly discerned in my first coming to you, in my former abode with you, and in the time of my forced absence from you. When I was separated by the miseries of the late unhappy war, I durst not six in any other congregation, but lived in a military unpleasing state, lest I should forestal my return to you. The offers of greater worldly accommodations were no temptatied to me once to question whether I should have you: your free invitation of my return, your ceedi to my doctrine, the strong affection which I have yet towards you above all people, and the general hearly return of love which I find from you, do all persuade me, that I was sent into the world especially for the service of your send