N17286:620
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.
You see the work now before you: this, this is that I would fain persuade you to practise: let me bespeak your consciences in the name of Christ, and command you by the authority I have received from Christ, that you faithfully set upon this duty, and fix your eye more steadfastly on your rest. Do not wonder that I persuade you so earnestly: though indeed if we were truly reasonable men, it would be a wonder that men should need so much persuasion to so sweet and plain a duty: but I know the employment is high, the heart is earthly, and will still draw back; ⟨p. 278⟩the temptations and hinderances will be many and great, and therefore I fear all these persuasions are little enough: say not, We are unable to set our own hearts on heaven, this must be the work of GOD: therefore all your exhortation is in vain. I tell you, though GOD be the chief disposer of your hearts, yet next under him you have the greatest command of them yourselves, and a great power in the ordering of your own thoughts, and determining your own wills: though without Christ you can do nothing, yet under him you may do much, and must do much, or else you will be undone through your neglect: do your own parts, and you have no cause to distrust whether Christ will do his.
You see the work now before you: this, this is that I would fain persuade you to practise: let me bespeak your consciences in the name of Christ, and command you by the authority I have received from Christ, that you faithfully set upon this duty, and fix your eye more stedfastly on your rest. Do not wonder that I persuade you so earnestly: though indeed if we were truly reasonable men, it would be a wonder that men should need so much persuasion to so sweet and plain a duty: but I know the employment is high, the heart is earthly, and will still draw back; ⟨p. 278⟩the temptations and hinderances will be many and great, and therefore I fear all these persuasions are little enough: say not, We are unable to set our own hearts on heaven, this must be the work of GOD: therefore all your exhortation is in vain. I tell you, though GOD be the chief disposer of your hearts, yet next under him you have the greatest command of them yourselves, and a great power in the ordering of your own thoughts, and determining your own wills: though without Christ you can do nothing, yet under him you may do much, and must do much, or else you will be undone through your neglect: do your own parts, and you have no cause to distrust whether Christ will do his.