N17286:605
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.
4. Consider, if GOD should suffer thee thus to take up thy rest here, it were one of the greatest curses that could befall thee: it were better for thee if thou never hadst a day of ease in the world; for then weariness might make thee seek after true rest. But if he should suffer thee to sit down and rest here, where were thy rest when this deceives thee? A restless wretch thou wouldst be through all eternity. To have their good things on the earth, is the lot of the most miserable perishing sinners. Doth it become christians then to expect so much here? Our rest is our heaven; and where we take our rest, there we make our heaven: and wouldst thou have but such a heaven as this? It will be but a handful of waters to a man that is drowning, which will help to destroy, but not to save him.
4. Consider, if GOD should suffer thee thus to take up thy rest here, it were one of the greatest curses that could befal thee: it were better for thee if thou never hafst a day of ease in the world; for then weariness might make thee seek after true rest. But if he should suffer thee to sit down and rest here, where were thy rest when this deceives thee? A restless wretch thou wouldst be through all eternity. To have their good things on the earth, is the lot of the most miserable perishing sinners. Doth it become christians then to expect so much here? Our rest is our heaven; and where we take our rest, there we make our heaven: and wouldst thou have but such a heaven as this? It will be but a handful of waters to a man that is drowning, which will help to destroy, but not to save him.
5. Consider, thou seekest rest where it is not to be found, and so wilt lose all thy labour. I think I shall easily evince this by these clear demonstrations following:
First, Our rest is only in the full obtaining our ultimate end; but that is not to be expected in this life. Is GOD to be enjoyed in the best reformed church here, as he is in heaven? You confess he is not; how little of GOD, (not only) the multitude of the blind world, but sometimes the saints themselves enjoy! And how poor comforters are the best ordinances and enjoyments without GOD! Should a traveller take up his rest in the way? No, because his home is his journey's en. When you have all that creatures and means