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. X.

10. THere is supposed also,* 1.1 as motion rightly ordered, so strong and constant motion, which may reach the end. If there be not strength put to the bow, the Arrow will not reach the mark: The Lazy world, that think all too much, will find this to their cost one day. They that think less ado might have served, do but re∣proach Christ for making us so much to do. They that have been most holy, watchful, painful to get faith and assurance, do find when they come to dye, all too little: We see dayly the best Christians when dying, Repent their Negligence; I never knew any then re∣pent his holiness, and diligence. It would grieve a mans soul to see a multitude of mistaken sinners, lay out their wit, and care, and pains, for a thing of nought, and think to have eternal Salvation with a wish. If the way to Heaven be not far harder then the world ima∣gines, then Christ and his Apostles knew not the way, or else have deceived us: For they have told us, That the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence; That the gate is strait, and the way narrow, and we must strive if we will enter,* 1.2 for many shall seek to enter, and not be able; (which implies the faintness of their seeking, and that they put not strength to the work, and that the righte∣ous themselves are scarcely saved.* 1.3 If ever Soul obtain Salvation

in the worlds common, careless, easie way; then I'l say, there is a near∣er way found out then ever God in Scripture hath revealed to the sons of men. But when they have obtained Life and Rest, in this way, let them boast of it; till then, let them give us leave (who would fain go upon sure grounds in point of eternal Salvation) to beleeve, that God knows the way better then they, and that his Word is a true and infallible discovery thereof.

I have seen this Doctrine also thrown by with contempt by o∣thers, who say; What, do you set us a working for heaven? Doth our duty do any thing? Hath not Christ done all? Is not this to make him a half Saviour? and to preach Law?

Ans. It is to preach the Law of Christ; his Subjects are not Lawless; It is to preach Duty to Christ: No more exact requirer of duty, or hater of sin, then Christ. Christ hath done, and will do all his work, and therefore is a perfect Saviour; but yet leaves for us a work too: He hath paid all the price, and left us none to pay; yet he never intended his purchase should put us into absolute, im∣mediate personal title to glory in point of Law, much less into im∣mediate possession: What title we may have from his own, and his Fathers secret counsel, is nothing to the Question. He hath pur∣chased the Crown to bestow, only on Condition of beleeving, deny∣ing all for him, suffering with him, persevering and overcoming. He hath purchased Justification to bestow only on condition of our beleeving, yea repenting and beleeving * 1.4. That the first Grace hath any such Condition, I will not Affirm; but all following mercies have: Though 'tis Christ that enableth also to perform the Condi∣tion. It is not a Saviour offered, but received also, that must save: It is not the blood of Christ shed only, but applyed also, that must fully deliver: Nor is it applyed to the Justification, or Salvation of a sleepy Soul: Nor doth Christ carry us to heaven in a chair of se∣curity. Where he will pardon, he will make you pray, Forgive us our trespasses; and where he will give Righteousness, he will give hungering and thirsting: It is not through any imperfection in Christ, that the Righteous are scarcely saved; no nor that the wick∣ed perish, as they shall be convinced one day. In the same sence as the prayer of the faithful, if fervent, availeth for outward mercies, in the same sence it prevaileth for Salvation also;* 1.5 For Christ hath purchased both. And as Baptism is said to save us, so other duties too:* 1.6 Therefore say not, It is not duty, but Christ: For it is Christ in

a way of duty. As duty cannot do it without Christ, so Christ will not without duty: But of this enough before.

And as this motion must be strong, so constant, or it will fall short of Rest.* 1.7 To begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh, will not bring to the end of the Saints. The certainty of the Saints perseverance, doth not make admonition to constancy unuseful. Men as seem∣ingly holy as the best of us, have fallen off. He that knew it unpos∣sible, in the foundation,* 1.8 to deceive the Elect, yet saw it necessary to warn us, that he (only) that endureth to the end shall be saved: Read but the promises Rev. 2. & 3. to him that overcometh.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 10.
• * 1.2

  Mat 11.12. M••••. 7.13. Luk. 13.24.25
• * 1.3

  1 Pet 4 18
• * 1.4

  See Doctor Jennison on this Subject.
• * 1.5

  James 5.16.
• * 1.6

  1 Pet. 3.21.
• * 1.7

  Gal. 3 3.
• * 1.8

  Mat. 24.13. Mark 13.13 22.