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
§ 16. "How delightful is it to me to behold and study these inferior
works of creation? What a beautiful fabric do we here dwell in; the
floor so dressed with herbs, and flowers, and trees, and watered with
springs and rivers; the roof so wide expanded, so admirably adorned!
What wonders do sun, moon, and stars, seas, and winds, contain! And hath
God prepared such a house for corruptible flesh, for a soul imprisoned;
and doth he bestow so many millions of wonders upon his enemies! O what
a dwelling must that be, which he prepares for his dearly beloved
children; and how will the glory of the new Jerusalem exceed all the
present glory of the creatures? Arise then, O my soul, in thy
contemplation; and let thy thoughts of that glory as far exceed in
sweetness thy thoughts of the excellencies below! Fear not to go out of
this body, and this world, when thou must make so happy a change; but
say, as one did when he was dying, I am glad, and even leap for joy,
that the time is come in which that mighty JEHOVAH, whose Majesty, in my
search of nature I have admired, whose goodness I have adored, whom by
faith I have desired and panted after, will now shew himself to me face
to face.
§ 17. "How wonderful also are the works of Providence? How delightful to
see the great God interest himself in the safety and advancement of a
few humble, praying, but despised persons; and to review those special
mercies with which my own life hath been adorned and sweetened? How
often have my prayers been heard, my tears regarded, my troubled soul
relieved? How often hath my Lord bid me _be of good cheer_? What a
support are these experiences, these clear testimonies of my Father's
love, to my fearful unbelieving heart? O then, what a blessed day will
that be, when I shall have all mercy, perfection of mercy, and fully
enjoy the Lord of mercy; when I shall stand on the shore, and look back
on the raging seas I have safely passed; when I shall review my pains
and sorrows, my fears and tears, and possess the glory which was the end
of all? If one drop of lively faith was mixed with these considerations,
what a heaven-ravishing heart should I carry within me? Fain would _I
believe; Lord, help my unbelief_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account