N17286:646
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.
But alas, the multitude of professors come to a minister, just as Naaman came to Elijah; they ask us, how shall I overcome a hard heart, and get strength and life of grace? But they expect that some easy means should do it; and think we should cure them with the very answer to their question, and teach them a way to be quickly well: but when they hear of a daily trading in heaven, and constant meditation on the joys above; this is a greater task than they expected, and they turn their backs, as Naaman to Elijah, or the young man on Christ. Will not preaching, and praying, and conference serve (say they) without this dwelling still in heaven? I entreat thee, reader, beware of this folly; fall to the work: the comfort of spiritual health will countervail all the trouble. It is but the flesh that repines, which thou knowest was ⟨p. 294⟩never a friend to thy soul. If GOD had set thee on some grievous work, shouldst thou not have done it for the life of thy soul? How much more when he doth but invite thee to himself?
But alas, the multitude of professors come to a minister, just as Naaman came to Elias; they ask us, how shall I overcome a hard heart, and get strength and life of grace? But they expect that some easy means should do it; and think we should cure them with the very answer to their question, and teach them a way to be quickly well: but when they hear of a daily trading in heaven, and constant meditation on the joys above; this is a greater task than they expected, and they turn their backs, as Naaman to Elias, or the young man on Christ. Will not preaching, and praying, and conference serve (say they) without this dwelling still in heaven? I entreat thee, reader, beware of this folly; fall to the work: the comfort of spiritual health will countervail all the trouble. It is but the flesh that repines, which thou knowest was ⟨p. 294⟩never a friend to thy soul. If GOD had set thee on some grievous work, shouldst thou not have done it for the life of thy soul? How much more when he doth but invite thee to himself?