N17286:761
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.
3. The next affection to be acted, is hope. This is of singular use to the soul. It helpeth exceedingly to support it in sufferings; it encourageth it to adventure upon the greatest difficulties; it firmly establisheth it in the most shaking trials, and it mightily enlivens the soul in duties.
Let faith then show thee the truth of the promise, and judgment the goodness of the thing promised; and what then is wanting for the raising thy hope? Show thy soul from the word and from the mercies, and from the nature of GOD, what possibility, yea, what probability, yea, what certainty thou hast of possessing the crown. Think thus, and reason thus with thy own heart: why should I not confidently and comfortably hope, when my soul is in the hands of so compassionate a Saviour, and when the kingdom is at the disposal of so bounteous a GOD? Did he ever manifest any backwardness to my good, or discover the least inclination to my ruin? Hath he not sworn to the contrary to me in his word, that he delights ⟨p. 351⟩not in the death of him that dieth, but rather that he should repent and live? Have not all his dealings with me witnessed the same? Did he not mind me of my danger, when I never feared it? And why was this, if he would not have me to escape it? Did he not mind me of my happiness, when I had no thoughts of it? And why was this, but that he would have me to enjoy it? I have been ashamed of my hope in the arm of flesh, but hope in the promise of GOD maketh not ashamed: I will say therefore in my greatest sufferings, The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope •n him. The Lord is good to them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him; it is good that I both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will not cast off for-ever; but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. Though I languish and die, yet will I hope; for he hath said, The righteous hath hope in his death. Though I must lie down in dust and darkness, yet there my flesh shall rest in hope. And when my flesh hath nothing in which it may rejoice, yet will I keep the rejoicing of hope firm to the end.