N17286:724
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.
1. Those that spend the LORD'S day only in public worship; either through the neglect of meditation or else by their over-much exercise of the public, allowing no time to private duty: though there be few that offend in this kind; yet some there are, and a hurtful mistake to the soul it is. They will grow but in gifts, if they exercise but their gifts in outward performances. 2. Those that have time on the LORD'S day for idleness and vain discourse, and find the day longer than they know how well to spend: were these but acquainted with this duty of contemplation, they would need no other recreation; they would think the longest day short enough, and be sorry that the night had shortened their pleasure.
Secondly, For the extraordinary performance, these following are seasonable times.
1. When GOD doth extraordinarily revive thy spirit. When GOD hath enkindled thy spirit with fire from above, it is that it may mount aloft more freely. It is a choice part of a christian's skill, to observe the temper of his own spirit, and to observe the gales of grace, and how the Spirit of Christ doth move upon his. Without Christ we can do nothing: therefore let us be doing when he is doing; and be sure not to be out of the way, nor asleep when he comes. A little labour will set thy heart a going at such a time, when another time thou mayst take pains to little purpose.