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. VIII.

* 1.13. BUT the greatest hinderances are in mens own hear••s.

1. Some are so Ignorant that they know not what Self-Examination is, nor what a Minister means when he per∣swadeth them to Try themselves: Or they know not that there

is any Necessity of it; but think * 1.2 every man is bound to Believe that God is his Father, and that his sins are pardoned, whether it be true or false; and that it were a great fault to make any Question of it: Or they do not think that Assurance can be at∣tained; or that there is any such great differences betwixt one man and another; but that we are all Christians, and therefore need not to trouble our selves any further: Or at least they know not wherein the difference lies; nor how to set upon this search∣ing of their hearts, nor to find out its secret motions, and to judge accordingly. They have as gross Conceits of that Regeneration which they must search for, as Nicodemus had, John 3.5. And when they should Try whether the Spirit be in them, they are like those in Act. 19.2. That knoew not whether there were a Holy Ghost to be received or no.

2. Some are such Infidels that they will not Believe that ever God wil make such a difference betwixt men in the life to come, and therefore will not search themselves whether they differ here: Though Judgment and Resurrection be in their Creed, yet they are not in their Faith.

3. Some are so Dead-hearted, that they perceive not how neerly it doth concern them, let us say what we can to them, they lay it not to heart, but give us the hearing, and there's an end.

4. Some are so possessed with Self-love and Pride, that they will not so much as suspect any such danger to themselves. Like a proud Tradesman who scorns the motion when his friends de∣sire him to cast up his Books because they are afraid he will Break. As some fond Parents that have an over-weening con∣ceit of their own Children, and therefore will not believe or hear any evil of them▪ such a fond Self-love doth hinder men from su∣specting and trying their states.

5. Some are so guilty that they dare not try: They are so fearful that they shall••find their estates unsound, that they dare not search into them. And yet they dare venture them to a more dreadful Tryal

6. Some are so far in love with their sin, and so far in dislike with the way of God, that they dare not fall on the Tryal of their ways, least they be forced from the course which they love, to that which they loath.

7. Some are so Resolved already never to change their pre∣sent state, that they neglect Examination as a useless thing: Be∣fore they will turn so precise and seek a new way, when they have lived so long, and gone so far, they will put their E••ernal state to the venture, come of it what will. And when a man is fully resolved to hold on his way, and not to turn back be it right or wrong, to what end should he enquire whether he b•• right or no?

8. Most men are so taken up with their worldly affairs and are so busie in driving the trade of providing for the flesh, that they cannot set themselves to the Trying of their title to Heaven: They have another kind of happiness in their eye which they are pursuing, which will not suffer them to make sure of Heaven.

9. Most men are so clogged with a Laziness and Slothfulness of Spirit, that they will not be perswaded to be at the paines of an hours Examination of their own hearts. It requireth some la∣bour and diligence to accomplish it throughly, and they will rather venture all then set about it.

10. But the most common and dangerous impediment is that false Faith and Hope commonly called Presumption, which bears up the hearts of the most of the world, and so keeps them from suspecting their danger.

Thus you see what abundance of difficulties must be overcome before a man can closely set upon the Examining of his heart. I do but name them for brevity sake.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 8.
• * 1.2

  Or as Mr. Saltmarsh saith, every man is bound to believe, but no man to Question whether he believe or no. p. 92, 93 And this Faith (he saith) is a being per∣swaded more or less of Christs love. p. 94. So that by this Doctrine every man is bound to be∣lieve that Christ loveth him, and not to question his belief, (If it were only Christs common love, he might thus believe it) but a special love to him is no where written.