The saints everlasting rest, or, A treatise of the blessed state of the saints in their enjoyment of God in glory wherein is shewed its excellency and certainty, the misery of those that lose it, the way to attain it, and assurance of it, and how to live in the continual delightful forecasts of it and now published by Richard Baxter ...

SECT. V.

* 1.1

2. DO it Speedily: As you would not have them Delay their returning, so do not you Delay to seek their return. You are purposing long to speak to such an Ignorant neighbor, and to deal with such a scandalous sinner, and yet you have never done it. Alas, he runs on the score all this while: he goes deeper in debt: wrath is heaping up: Sin taketh rooting: Custom doth more fasten him: Engagements to sin grow stronger and more numerous: Conscience grows seared: the heart grows hardened: while you delay, the Devil rules and rejoyceth: Christ is shut out: the Spirit is repulsed: God is dayly dishonored: his Law is violated: he is without a Servant, and that service from him which he should have: the Soul continueth in a doleful state: time runs on: the day of visitation hasteth away: death and judg∣ment are even at the door: and what if the man dye and miss of Heaven, while you are purposing to teach him and help him to it? What if he drop into hell while you are purposing to prevent it? If in case of his bodily distress, you must not bid him, go and come again to morrow, when you have it by you, and he is in want, Prov. 3.27, 28. how much less may you delay the succor of his Soul: If once death snatch him away, he is then out of the reach of your Charity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 5.