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. II.

* 1.11. COnsider; Our Affections and Actions should be somewhat answerable to the Greatness of the Ends to which they are intended. Now the Ends of a Christians Desires and Endeavors are so Great, that no humane understanding on earth can compre∣hend them; whether you respect their proper Excellency, their exceeding Importance, or their absolute Necessity.

These Ends are, The Glorifying of God, The Salvation of our own and other mens Souls, in our escaping the Torments of Hell, and Possessing the Glory of Heaven. And can a man be too much affected with things of such Moment? Can he Desire them too Earnestly? or Love them too Violently? or Labour for them too Diligently? When we know, that if our prayers prevail not, and our labour succeed not, we are undone for ever! I think it con∣cerns us to seek and labour to the purpose. When it is put to the Question, Whether we shall live for ever in Heaven or in Hell?

and the Question must be resolved upon our Obeying the Gospel, or our disobeying it, upon the Painfulness or the Slothfulness of our present Endeavors; I think it is time for us to bestir our selves! and to leave our trifling and complementing with God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 2.