N17286:82
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
Part 1 › Chapter 4: The four great Preparatives to our Rest.
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.
Poor careless sinner, I did not think here to have said so much to thee: but if these lines fall into thy hands, I charge thee before GOD, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom; that thou make haste and get alone, and set thy self sadly to ponder these things. Ask thy heart, is this true, or is it not? Is there such a day, and must I see it? What do I then? Is it not time, full time, that I had made sure of Christ and comfort long ago? Should I sit still another day, who have lost so many? Friend, I profess to thee from the word of the LORD, that of all thy sweet sins, there will then be nothing left, but the sting in thy conscience, which will be never out through all eternity.
But why tremblest thou, O gracious soul! He that would not overlook one Lot in Sodom; nay, that could do nothing till he went forth; will he forget thee at that day? Thy LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished: he knoweth how to make the same day the greatest terror to his foes, and yet the greatest joy to his people. There is no condemnation to them that are in CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. And, who shall lay any thing to the charge of GOD's elect? Shall the law? Why, whatsoever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: but we are not under the law, but under grace: for the law of the spirit of life, which is in CHRIST JESUS, hath made us free from the law of sin and death. Or shall conscience? We were long ago justified by faith, and so have peace with GOD, and have our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and the spirit bearing witness with our spirits, that we are the children of GOD. It is GOD that justifieth, who shall condemn? If our judge condemn us not, who shall? He that said to the adulterous woman, Hath no man condemned thee? Neither do I condemn thee: ⟨p. 39⟩He will say to us, (more faithfully than Peter to him) Though all men deny thee, or condemn thee, I will not. Thou hast confessed me before men, and I will confess thee before my Father and the angels in heaven.