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 ...

* 1.1SECT. III.

1. COnsider, a heart set upon heaven, will be one of the most unquestionable evidences of thy sincerity, and a clear dis∣covery of a true work of saving grace upon thy soul. You are much in enquiring after Marks of sincerity, and I blame you not, its dangerous mistaking when a mans salvation lies upon it: You are oft asking, How shall I know that I am truly sanctified? Why, here is a mark that will not deceive you, if you can truly say that you are possessed of it; Even, a heart set upon Heaven. Would you have a sign infall••ble, not from me, or from the mouth of any man, but from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself, which all the e∣nemies of the use of Marks, can lay no exception against? Why here is such a one, Mat. 6.21. Where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also. Know once assuredly where your heart is, and you may easily know that your treasure is there: God is the Saints Treasure and happiness: Heaven is the place where they must ful∣ly enjoy him: A heart therefore set upon heaven, is no more, but a heart set upon God, desiring after this full enjoyment: And surely a heart set upon God through Christ, is the truest evidence of saving grace. External actions are easiest discovered; but those of the heart are the surest evidences. When thy learning will be no good proof of thy grace; when thy knowledg, thy duties and thy gifts will fail thee, when Arguments from thy tongue and thy hand may be confuted; yet then will this Argument from the bent of thy heart prove thee sincere. Take a poor Christian that can scarce speak true English about Religion, that hath a weak understanding, a failing memory, a stammering tongue; yet his heart is set on God, he hath chosen him for his Portion, his thoughts are on E∣ternity, his desires there, his dwelling there; he cryes out, O that I were there; he takes that day for a time of imprisonment, wherein he hath not taken one refreshing view of Eternity: I had rather dye in this mans condition, and have my soul in his souls case; then in the case of him that hath the most eminent gifts, and is most admired for parts and dutie, whose heart is not thus taken

up with God. The man that Christ will finde out at the last day, and condemn, for want of a wedding Garment, will be he that wants this frame of heart: The question will not then be, How much you have known, or professed, or talked? but, How much have you loved, and where was your heart? Why then, Christians, as you would have a sure testimony of the love of God, and a sure proof of your title to Glory, labor to get your hearts above. God will acknowledg that you really love him, and take you for faith∣ful friends indeed, when he sees your hearts are set upon him. Get but your hearts once truly in Heaven, and without all question your selves will follow. If sin and Satan keep not thence your affections, they will never be able to keep away your persons.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 3.