The Saint's Everlasting Rest: A Treatise of the Blessed State of the Saints in Their Enjoyment of God in HeavenBaxter, Richard
Religion
The Saint's Everlasting Rest: A Treatise of the Blessed State of the Saints in Their Enjoyment of God in Heaven
Baxter, Richard
Devotional literature
§ 1. Hath God set before us such a glorious prize as the saint's rest,
and made us capable of such inconceivable happiness? Why then do not all
the children of this kingdom exert themselves more to help others to the
enjoyment of it? Alas, how little are poor souls about us beholden to
most of us! We see the glory of the kingdom, and they do not: We see the
misery of those that are out of it, and they do not: We see them
wandering quite out of the way, and know, if they hold on, they can
never come there; and they themselves discern it not: and yet we will
not seriously shew them their danger and error, and help to bring them
into the way, that they may live. Alas, how few Christians are there to
be found, that set themselves with all their might to save souls! No
thanks to us, if heaven be not empty, and if the souls of our brethren
perish not for ever. Considering how important this duty is, to the
glory of God, and the happiness of men, I will shew—how it is to be
performed;—why it is so much neglected; and then offer some
considerations to persuade to it.
§ 2. (I.) The duty of exciting and helping others to obtain the saint's
rest doth not mean, that every man should turn a public preacher, or
that any should go beyond the bounds of their particular callings; much
less does it consist in promoting a party spirit; and least of all in
speaking against men's faults behind their backs, and be silent before
their faces. This duty is of another nature, and consists of the
following things;—in having our hearts affected with the misery of our
brethren's souls,—in taking all opportunities to instruct them in the
way of salvation,—and in promoting their profit by public ordinances.
§ 3. (1.) Our hearts must be affected with the misery of our brethren's
souls. We must be compassionate towards them, and yearn after their
recovery and salvation. If we earnestly longed after their conversion,
and our hearts were solicitous to do them good, it would set us on work,
and God would usually bless it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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