N17286:644
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.
If we could get into the holy of holies, and bring thence the name and image of GOD, and get it closed up in our hearts, this would enable us to work wonders; every duty we performed would be a wonder; and they that heard would be ready to say, Never man spake as this man speaketh. The Spirit would possess us, as those flaming tongues, and make us every one speak (not in the variety of the confounded languages, but) in the primitive pure language of Canaan, the wonderful works of GOD. We should then be in every duty, whether prayer, exhortation, ⟨p. 293⟩or brotherly reproof, as Paul was at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him; and should be ready to say, as Jeremiah did, Jer. xx. 9. His word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Christian reader, art thou not thinking when thou seest a lively believer, and hearest his melting prayers, and ravishing discourse; O how happy a man is this! O that my soul were in his state! Why, I here direct and advise thee from GOD. Try this course, and set thy soul to this work, and thou shalt be in as good a case. Wash thee frequently in this Jordan, and thy dead soul shall revive, and thou shalt know there is a GOD in Israel; and that thou mayst live a vigorous and joyous life, if thou neglect not thine own mercies. If thou truly value this strong and active frame of spirit, show it by thy present attempting this heavenly exercise. Thou hast heard the way to obtain this life in thy soul, and in thy duties; if thou wilt yet neglect it blame thyself.
Christian reader, art thou not thinking when thou seest a lively believer, and hearest his melting prayers, and ravishing discourse; O how happy a man is this! O that my soul were in his state! Why, I here direct and advise thee from GOD. Try this course, and set thy soul to this work, and thou shalt be in as good a case. Wash thee frequently in this Jordan, and thy dead soul shall revive, and thou shalt know there is a GOD in Israel; and that thou mayst live a vigorous and joyous life, if thou neglect not thine own mercies. If thou truly value this strong and active frame of spirit, shew it by thy present attempting this heavenly exercise. Thou hast heard the way to obtain this life in thy soul, and in thy duties; if thou wilt yet neglect it blame thyself.