N17286:602
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 3 › Chapter 1: Reproving our Expectations of Rest on Earth.
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.
2. Consider how thou contradictest the end of GOD in giving these things. He gave them to help thee to him, and dost thou take up with them in his stead? He gave them that they might be refreshments in thy journey; and wouldst thou now dwell in thy inn, and go no further? Thou dost not only contradict GOD herein, but losest that benefit which thou mightest receive by them, yea, and makest them thy great hurt and hinderance. Surely, it may be said of all our comforts and all ordinances, and the blessedest enjoyments in the church on earth, as GOD said to the Israelites, of his ark, Numb. x. 33. The ark of the covenant went before them, to search out for them a resting-place. So do all GOD'S mercies here. They are not that rest, (as John professeth he was not the Christ) but they are voices crying in this wilderness, to bid us prepare; for the kingdom of GOD, our true rest, is at hand. Therefore to rest here, were to turn all mercies clean contrary to their own ends, and our own advantages, and to destroy ourselves with that which should help us.
3. Consider, whether it be not the most probable way, to cause GOD, either, first, to deny those mercies which we desire; or, secondly, to take from us these which we enjoy; or, thirdly, to embitter them, or curse them to us? Certainly, GOD is no where so jealous as here: if you had a servant whom your wife loved better than she did yourself, would you not take it ill of such a wife, and rid your house of such a servant? Why so, if the LORD see you begin to settle in the world, and say, here I will rest, no wonder if he soon in his jealousy unsettle you. If he love you, no wonder if he take that from you wherewith he sees you about to destroy yourselves.
3. Consider, whether it be not the most probable way, to cause GOD, either, first, to deny those mercies which we desire; or, secondly, to take from us these which we enjoy; or, thirdly, to imbitter them, or curse them to us? Certainly, GOD is no where so jealous as here: if you had a servant whom your wife loved better than she did yourself, would you not take it ill of such a wife, and rid your house of such a servant? Why so, if the LORD see you begin to settle in the world, and say, here I will rest, no wonder if he soon in his jealousy unsettle you. If he love you, no wonder if he take that from you wherewith he sees you about to destroy yourselves.