N17286:824
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 3 › Chapter 10: An Example of this heavenly Contemplation, for the Help of the Unskilful.
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.
What delight have I found in my private studies, especially when they have prospered to the increase of knowledge! Methinks I could bid the world farewell, and immure myself among my books, and look forth no more (were it a lawful course) but shut the door upon me, and among those divine souls employ myself in sweet content, and pity the rich and great ones that know not happiness. Sure then it is a high delight indeed, which in the lap of eternity is enjoyed!
If the queen of Sheba came from Ethiopia to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and see his glory; O how gladly should I pass from earth to heaven, to see the glory of that eternal majesty; and to attain myself that height of wisdom, in comparison of which the most learned on earth are but fools and idiots! If the heaven of glass which the Persian emperor framed, were so glorious a piece, and the heaven of silver which the emperor Ferdinand sent to the great Turk, because of their rare artificial representations and motions, what will the heaven of heavens be, which is not formed by the art of man, nor beautified like these childish toys, but it is the matchless palace of the great King, built by himself for the residence of his glory, and the perpetual entertainment of his beloved saints!
If the queen of Sheba came from Aethiopia to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and see his glory; O how gladly should I pass from earth to heaven, to see the glory of that eternal majesty; and to attain myself that height of wisdom, in comparison of which the most learned on earth are but fools and idiots! If the heaven of glass which the Persian emperor framed, were so glorious a piece, and the heaven of silver which the emperor Ferdinand sent to the great Turk, because of their rare artificial representations and motions, what will the heaven of heavens be, which is not formed by the art of man, nor beautified like these childish toys, but it is the matchless palace of the great King, built by himself for the residence of his glory, and the perpetual entertainment of his beloved saints!