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. XI.

* 1.1BUt alass, my fearful heart dare scarce proceed: Methinks I hear the Almighties voyce saying to me, as Elihu, Job 38.2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledg?

But pardon, O Lord, thy Servants sin: I have not pryed into unre∣vealed things; nor with audacious wits curiously searched into thy counsels: but indeed I have dishonored thy Holiness, wronged thine Excellency, disgraced thy Saints Glory, by my own exceed∣ing disproportionable pourtraying. I bewail from heart, that my conceivings fall so short, my Apprehensions are so dull, my thoughts so mean, my Affections so stupid, and my expressions so low and unbeseeming such a Glory. But I have onely heard by the hearing of the Ear, Oh let thy Servant see thee, and possess these Joys, and then I shall have more suitable conceivings, and shall give thee fuller Glory, and abhor my present self, and disclaim and renounce all these Imperfections.* 1.2 I have now uttered that I understood not;

things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Yet I beleeved, and therefore spake. Remember with whom thou hast to do: what canst thou expect from dust, but Levity? or from corruption, but defilement? Our foul hands will leave, where they touch, the marks of their uncleanness; and most on those things that are most pure.* 1.3 I know thou wilt be sanctified in them that come nigh thee, and before all the people thou wilt be glorified: And if thy Jealousie excluded from that Land of Rest thy servants Moses and Aaron, because they sanctified thee not in the midst of Israel, what then may I expect? But though the weakness and unreverence be the fruit of mine own corruption; yet the fire is from thine Altar, and the work of thy commanding. I looked not into thine Ark, nor put forth my hand unto it without thee. Oh therefore wash away these stains also in the blood of the Lamb; and let not Jealousie burn us up: lest thou affright thy people away from thee, and make them in their discouragement to cry out,* 1.4 How shall the Ark of God come to us? Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? Who shall approach and dwell with the consuming fire? Imperfect, or none,* 1.5 must be thy Service here. Oh take thy Sons excuse, The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 11.
• * 1.2

  Job 42 3.
• * 1.3

  Levit. 10.2, 3 Numb. 20.12. Deut, 32.51.
• * 1.4

  2 Sam. 6.8. 1 Sam. 6.20.
• * 1.5

  Mat. 16.48.