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. I.

* 1.1I Will not stand here to lay down the Directions neces∣sary for preparation to this Duty, because you may gather them from what is said concerning the Hinder∣ances: For the Contraries of those Hinderances will be most necessary Helps. Only before you set upon it, I advise you moreover to the Observation of these Rules. 1. Come not with too peremptory Conclusions of your selves be∣fore-hand. Do not Judg too confidently before you Try. Many Godly dejected Souls come with this Pre-judging to the work, concluding certainly that their state is Miserable before they have Tryed it: And most wicked men on the contrary side do conclude most confidently that their state is good, or tolerable at the least. No wonder if these both miscarry in Judging, when they pass the Sentence before the Tryal.

2. Be sure to be so well acquainted with the Scripture, as to know what is the Tenor of the Covenant of Grace, and what are the Conditions of Justification and Glorification, and consequently what are sound Marks to Try thy self by, and wherein the Truth of Grace, and Essence of Christianity doth consist.

3. And it will not be unuseful to write out some of the chief and those Scriptures withall which hold them forth, and so to bring this Paper with you when you come to Examination.

4. Be a constant observer of the temper and motions of thy heart:

Almost all the difficulty of the work doth lie in the true and clear discerning of it. Be watchful in observing the Actings both of Grace and Corruption; and the circumstances of their Actings; as how frequent? how violent? how strong or weak were the outward incitements? how great or small the impediments? what delight, or loathing, or fear, or reluctancy, did go with those Acts? by these and the like observations you may come to a more infallible knowledg of your selves.

5. Be sure you set upon the work with a serious, rouzed, waken∣ed Soul, apprehensive of how great concernment it is.

6. And lastly, Resolve to judg thy self impartially; neither bet∣ter nor worse then thou art, but as the Evidence shall prove thee.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 1.