N17286:60
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.
Here is the heaven of heaven! the fruition of GOD: in these mutual embracements of love, doth it consist. To love, and be beloved: These are the everlasting arms that are underneath: his left hand is under their beads, and with his right hand doth he embrace them.
Stop here, and think a while what a state this is. Is it a small thing to be beloved of GOD? to be the son, the spouse, the love, the delight of the King of glory? Believe this, and think on it: thou shalt be eternally embraced in the arms of that love, which was from everlasting and will extend to everlasting; of that love, which brought the Son of GOD'S love from heaven to earth, from earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to glory; that love, which was weary, hungry, tempted, scorned, scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crucified, pierced; which did fast, pray. teach, heal, weep, sweat, bleed, die: that love will eternally embrace them. When perfect created love, and most perfect uncreated love meet together, O the blessed meeting! It will not be like Joseph and his brethren, who lay upon one another's necks weeping: it will break forth into pure joy; not a mixture of joy and sorrow: it will be loving and rejoicing, not ⟨p. 27⟩loving and sorrowing: yet will it make Pharaoh's (Satan's) court to ring, with the news that Joseph's brethren are come; that the saints are arrived safe at the bosom of Christ, out of the reach of hell for-ever.
Stop here, and think a while what a state this is. Is it a small thing to be beloved of GOD? to be the son, the spouse, the love, the delight of the King of glory? Believe this, and think on it: thou shalt be e•ernally embraced in the arms of that love, which was from everlasting and will extend to everlasting; of that love, which brought the Son of GOD'S love from heaven to earth, from earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to glory; that love, which was weary, hungry, tempted, scorned, scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crucified, pierced; which did fast, pray. teach, heal, weep, sweat, bleed, die: that love will eternally embrace them. When perfect created love, and most perfect uncreated love meet together, O the blessed meeting! It will not be like Joseph and his brethren, who lay upon one another's necks weeping: it will break forth into pure joy; not a mixture of joy and sorrow: it will be loving and rejoicing, not