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 , by the help of Meditation .

Written by the Author for his own use , in the time of his languishing , when God took him off from all Publike Imployment ; and afterwards Preached in his weekly Lecture : And now published by Richard Baxter , Teacher of the Church of Kederminster in Worcestershire .

My flesh and my heart faileth ; but God is the strength of my heart , and my portion for ever , Psal. 73.26 .

If in this life onely we have hope in Christ , we are of all men most miserable , 1 Cor. 15.19 .

Set your affections on things above , and not on things on the Earth . For ye are dead , and your life is hid with Christ in God . When Christ , who is our life , shall appear , then shall ye also appear with him in glory , Col. 3.2 , 3 , 4.

Because I live , ye shall live also , John 14.19 .

Jan. 15. 1649. Imprimatur , Joseph Caryl .

London , Printed by Rob. White , for Thomas Vnderhil and Francis Tyton , and are to be sold at the Blue-Anchor and Bible in Pauls Church-yard , near the little North-door , and at the three Daggers in Fleetstreet , near the Inner-Temple-gate . 1650.

IF either I or my labors have any thing of publike use or worth , it is wholly ( though not onely ) yours . And I am convinced by Providence , That it is the Will of God it should be so . This I clearly discerned in my first coming to you , in my former abode with you , and in the time of my forced absence from you . When I was separated by the miseries of the late unhappy war , I durst not fix in any other Congregation , but lived in a military unpleasing state , lest I should forestal my return to you ; for whom I took my self reserved . The offers of greater worldly accommodations , with five times the means which I receive with you , was no temptation to me once to question whether I should leave you : Your free invitation of my return , your obedience to my Doctrine , the strong affection which I have yet towards you above all people , and the general hearty return of Love , which I finde from you , do all perswade me , that I was sent into this world , especially for the service of your souls . And that even when I am dead , I might yet be a help to your salvation ; the Lord hath forced me quite besides my own resolution , to write this Treatise and leave it in your hands . It was far from my thoughts ever to have become thus publike , and burdened the world with any writings of mine : Therefore have I oft resisted the requests of my reverend Brethren , and some Superiors , who might else have commanded much more at my hands . But see how God over ruleth and crosseth our resolutions .

Being in my quarters far from home , cast into extream languishing ( by the sudden loss of about a Gallon of blood ▪ after many yeers foregoing weakness ) and having no acquaintance about me , nor any Books , but my Bible , and living in continual expectation of death , I bent my thoughts on my Everlasting Rest : And because my memory through extream weakness was imperfect , I took my pen , and began to draw up my own funeral Sermon ; or some helps for my own Meditations of Heaven , to sweeten both the Rest of my life , and my death . In this condition , God was pleased to continue me about five moneths from home , where being able for nothing else , I went on with this work , which so lengthened to this , which here you see . It is no wonder therefore , if I be too abrupt in the beginning , seeing I then intended but the length of a Sermon or two : Much less may you wonder , if the whole be very imperfect , seeing it was written , as it were , with one foot in the grave , by a man that was betwixt living and dead , that wanted strength of nature to quicken Invention or Affection , and had no Book but his Bible , while the chief part was finished ; nor had any minde of humane ornaments , if he had been furnished . But , O how sweet is this Providence now to my review ! which so happily forced me to that work of Meditation , which I had formerly found so profitable to my soul ! and shewed me more mercy in depriving me of other helps , then I was aware of ! and hath caused my thoughts to feed on this Heavenly Subject , which hath more benefited me , then all the studies of my life !

And now , dear Friends , such as it is , I here offer it you ; and upon the bended knees of my soul , I offer up my thanks to the merciful God , who hath fetched up , both me and it , as from the grave , for your service : Who reversed the sentence of present death , which by the ablest Physitians , was past upon me ! who interrupted my publike labors for a time , that he might force me to do you a more lasting service , which else I had never been like to have attempted ! That God do I heartily bless and magnifie , who hath rescued me from the many dangers of four yeers war , and after so many tedious nights and days , and so many doleful fights and tidings , hath returned me , and many of your selves , and reprived us till now to serve him in peace ! And though men be ungrateful , and my body ruined beyond hope of recovery , yet he hath made up all in the comforts I have in you ! To the God of mercy , do I here offer my most hearty thanks , and pay the vows of acknowledgment which I oft made in my distress , who hath not rejected my prayers , which in my dolor I put up , but hath by a wonder delivered me in the midst of my duties ; and hath supported me this fourteen yeers in a languishing state , wherein I have scarce had a waking hour free from pain ; who hath above twenty several times delivered me , when I was neer to death : And though he hath made me spend my days in groans and tears , and in a constant expectation of my change , yet hath he not wholly disabled me to his service ; and hereby hath more effectually subdued my pride , and made this world contemptible to me , and forced my dull heart to more importunate requests , and occasioned more rare discoveries of his Mercy , then ever I could have expected in a prosperous state . For ever blessed be the Lord , that hath not onely honored me to be a Minister of his Gospel , but hath also set me over a people so willing to obey , and given me that success of my labors , which he hath denied to many more able and faithful ; who hath kept you in the zealous practice of godliness , when so many grow negligent , or despise the Ordinances of God ; who hath kept you stable in his Truth , and saved you from the spirit of Giddiness , Levity , and Apostacy of this age ; who hath preserved you from those scandals , whereby others have so hainously wounded their profession ; and hath given you to see the mischief of Separation and Divisions , and made you eminent for Vnity and Peace , when almost all the Land is in a flame of contention , and so many , that we thought godly , are busily demolishing the Church ▪ and striving in a zealous ignorance against the Lord . Beloved , though few of you are rich , or great in the world , yet for this riches of mercy towards you , I must say , Ye are my Glory , my Crown , and my Joy : And for all these rare favors to my self and you , as I have oft promised to publish the praises of our Lord , so do I here set up this stone of remembrance , and write upon it , Glory to God in the highest : Hitherto hath the Lord helped us : My flesh and my heart failed , but God is the strength of my heart , and my portion for ever .

But have all these Deliverances brought us to our Rest ? No : We are as far yet from it , as we are from Heaven . You are yet under oppression and troubles , and I am yet under consuming sickness : And feeling that I am like to be among you but a little while , and that my pained body is hastening to the dust : I shall here leave you my best advice for your immortal souls , and bequeath you this counsel as the legacy of a dying man , that you may here read it , and practise it , when I am taken from you : And I beseech you receive it as from one that you know doth unfainedly love you , and that regardeth no honors or happiness in this world , in comparison of the welfare and salvation of your souls ; yea , receive it from me , as if I offered it you upon my knees , beseeching you for your souls sake , that you would not reject it , and beseeching the Lord to bless it to you ; yea , as one that hath received authority from Christ to command you , I charge you in his name , as ever you will answer it , when we shall meet at judgment , and as you would not have me there be a witness against you , nor all my labors be charged against you to your condemnation , and the Lord Jesus your Judg to sentence you as rebellious , that you faithfully and constantly practise these ten directions .

1. Labor to be men of knowledg and sound understandings . A sound judgment is a most precious mercy , and much conduceth to the soundness of heart and life . A weak judgment is easily corrupted ; and if it be once corrupt , the will and conversation will quickly follow . Your understandings are the in-let or entrance to the whole soul ; and if you be weak there , your souls are like a Garison that hath open or il-guarded Gates ; and if the enemy be once let in there , the whole City will quickly be his own . Ignorance is virtually every error ; therefore let the Bible be much in your hands and hearts : Remember what I taught you on Deut. 6.6 , 7. Read much the writings of our old solid Divines ; such as Perkins , Bolton , Dod , Sibbs , especially Doctor Preston : You may read an able Divine , when you cannot hear one ; especially , be sure you learn well the Principles of Religion . Begin with the Assemblies lesser Catechism , and then learn the greater ; and next Master Balls , with the Exposition ; and then Doctor Ames his Marrow of Divinity ( now Englished ) or Ushers . If you see men fall on Controversies , before they understand these , never wonder if they are drowned in errors . I know your povertie and labors will not give you leave to read so much as others may do ; but yet a willing minde will finde some time , if it be when they should sleep , and especially it will spend the Lords day wholly in these things . O be not ignorant of God in the midst of such light ! as if the matters of your salvation were less worth your study , then your trading in the world .

2. Do the utmost you can to get a faithful Minister , when I am taken from you ; and be sure you acknowledg him your Teacher , Overseer , and Ruler , 1 Thess. 5.12 , 13. Acts 20.28 . Heb. 13.7 , 17. and learn of him , obey him , and submit to his doctrine ( except he teach you any singular points , and then take the advice of other Ministers in trying it . ) Expect not that he should humor you , and please your fancies , and say , and do as you would have him ; that is meer Independencie , for the people to rule themselves and their Rulers . If he be unable to Teach and Guide you , do not chuse him at first ; if he be able , be ruled by him , even in things that to you are doubtful , except it be clear , that ●e would turn you from the truth ; if you know more then he , become Preachers your selves ; if you do not , then quarrel not when you should learn ; especially submit to his private over-sight , as well as publike Teaching . It is but the least part of a Ministers work , which is done in the Pulpit : Paul taught them also from house to house , day and night with tears , Acts 20.20 , 31. To go daily from one house to another , and see how you live , and examine how you profit , and direct you in the duties of your families , and in your preparation for death , is the great work . Had not weakness confined me , and publike labors forbidden me , I should judg my self hainously guiltie in neglecting this . In the Primitive times , every Church of so many souls as this Parish , had many Ministers , whereof the ablest speakers did preach most impublike , and the rest did the more of the less publike work ( which some mistake for meer Ruling Elders : ) But now Sacriledg and Covetousness will scarce leave maintenance for one in a Church ; which is it that hath brought us to a loss in the nature of Government .

3. Let all your Knowledg turn into Affection and Practice ; keep open the passage between your heads , and your hearts , that every Truth may go to the quick . Spare not for any pains in working out your salvation : Take heed of loitering , when your souls lie at the stake ; Favor not your selves in any slothful distemper ; Laziness is the damnation of most that perish among us . God forbid you should be of the mad opinion of the world , That like not serving God so much , nor making so much ado to be saved ; All these men will shortly be of another minde . Live now as you would wish you had done at death and judgment . Let no scorns dishearten you , nor differences of opinion be an offence to you : God , and Scripture , and Heaven , and the Way thither , are still the same . It will do you no good to be of the right Religion , if you be not zealous in the exercise of the Duties of that Religion . Read oft the fifth and sixt Chapters of the third part of this Book .

4. Be sure you make conscience of the great Duties that you are to perform in your families . Teach your children and servants the knowledg and fear of God ; do it early and late , in season and out of season . Pray with them daily and fervently ; remember Daniels example , Dan. 6. and the command , 1 Thes. 5.17 . Read the Scripture , and good Books to them ; restrain them from sin ; keep not a servant that will not learn , and be ruled . Neighbors , I charge you as you will shortly answer the contrary , before the Lord your Judg , That there be never a family among you that shall neglect these great Duties . If you cannot do what you should , yet do what you can ; especially , see that the Lords day be wholly spent in these exercises . To spend it in idleness , or sports , is to consecrate it to your flesh , and not to God , and far worse then to spend it in your Trades .

5. Beware of extreams in the controverted points of Religion . When you avoid one Error , take heed you run not into another ; specially if you be in heat of disputation or passion . As I have shewed you , I think , the true mean in the doctrine of Justification and Redemption , so I had intended to have writ a peculiar Treatise with three Columns , shewing both extreams , and the truth in the middle , through the body of Divinitie ; but God takes me off . Especially beware of the Errors of these times : Antinomianism comes from gross ignorance , and leads to gross wickedness ; Socinians are scarce Christians ; Arminianism is quite above your reach , and therefore not fit for your study in most points . The middle way which Camero , Ludov. Crocius , Am●raldus , Davenant , &c. go , I think , is neerest the Truth . Separation comes from Pride and Ignorance , and directly leads to the dissolution of all Churches . That Independency which gives the people to govern by vote , is the same thing in another name . Anabaptists play the Divels part in accusing their own children , and disputing them out of the Church and Covenant of Christ ; and affirming them to be no Disciples , no Servants of God , nor holy , as separated to him ; when God saith the contrary , Levit. 25.41 , 42. Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12 , &c. Acts 15.10 . 1 Cor. 7.14 . I cannot digress to fortifie you against these Sects : You have seen God speak against them by Judgments from Heaven . What were the two Monsters in New England but miracles ? Christ hath told you , By their fruits ye shall know them . We mis-interpret , when we say , he means by fruit , their false doctrine ; that were but idem per idem . Heretikes may seem holy for a little while , but at last all false doctrines likely end in wicked lives . Where hath there been known a society of Anabaptists , since the world first knew them , that proved not wicked ? How many of these or Antinomists , &c. have you known , who have not proved palpably guiltie of lying , perfidiousness , covetousness , malice , contempt of their godly Brethren . licenciousness , or seared Consciences ? They have confident expressions to shake poor ignorant souls , whom God will have discovered in the day of trial : But when they meet with any that can search out their fallacies , how little have they to say ? You know I have had as much opportunitie to try their strength , as most : And I never yet met with any in Garison , or Army , that could say any thing which might stagger a solid man . You heard in my late publike dispute at Bewdley , January 1. with Mr. Tombs , who is taken to be the ablest of them in the Land , and one of the most moderate , how little they can say even in the hardest point of Baptism ; what gross absurdities they are driven to , and how little tender Consciencious fear of erring is left among the best .

6. Above all , see that you be followers of Peace and Vnitie , both in the Church , and among your selves . Remember what I taught you on Heb. 12.14 . He that is not a son of Peace , is not a son of God . All other sins destroy the Church consequentially ; but Division and Separation demolish it directly . Building the Church is but an orderly joyning of the materials ; and what then is disjoyning , but pulling down ? Many Doctrinal differences must be tolerated in a Church : And why ? but for Vnitie and Peace ? Therefore Disunion and Separation is utterly intolerable . Beleeve not those to be the Churches Friends , that would cure and reform her by cutting her throat . Those that say , No Truth must be concealed for Peace have usually as little of the one , as the other . Study Gal. 2.2 . Rom. 14.1 . &c. Acts 21.24 , 26. 1 Tim 1.4 . and 6.4 . Tit. 3.8 , 9. I hope sad experience speaks this lesson to your very hearts , if I should say nothing . Do not your hearts bleed to look upon the state of England ? and to think how few Towns or Cities there be ( where is any forwardness in Religion ) that are not cut into shreds , and crumbled as to dust by Separations and Divisions ? To think what a wound we have hereby given to the very Christian name ? How we have hardened the ignorant ? Confirmed the Papists ? And are our selves become the scorn of our enemies , and the grief of our friends ? And how many of our dearest , best esteemed Friends , are faln to notorious Pride , or Impietie ? yea , some to be worse then open Infidels ? These are Pillars of Salt ; see that you remember them . You are yet eminent for your Vnitie , Stedfastness , and Godliness ; hold fast that you have , that no man take your Crown from you . Temptations are now come neer your doors ; yet many of you have gone through greater , and therefore I hope will scape through these : Yet least your temptations should grow stronger , let me warn you , That though of your own selves men should arise , speaking perverse things , to draw disciples after them , Acts 20.30 . yea , though an Angel from Heaven should draw you to divisions , see that you follow him not . If there be erronious practises in the Church , keep your selves innocent with moderation and peace : Do your best to reform them ; and rather remove your dwellings , if you cannot live innocently , then rend the Church . It must be no small Error that must force a Separation . Justin a holy learned Martyr ( In Dialog ▪ cum Tryphone ) ( who was converted within thirtie one yeers of Johns death , and wrote his first Apologie within fiftie one ; and therefore it is like saw Johns days , ) professeth , That if a Jew should keep the Ceremonial Law ( so he did not perswade the Gentiles to it as necessary ) yet if he acknowledg Christ , he judgeth that he may be saved , and he would embrace him , and have communion with him as a Brother : And Paul would have him received that is weak in the faith , ( and not unchurch whole Parishes of those that we know not , nor were ever brought to a just trial , ) You know I never conformed to the use of Mystical , Symbolical Rites , my self , ( but onely to the determination of Circumstantials necessary in genere , ) and yet I ever loved a godly , peaceable Conformist , better then a turbulent , Non-Conformist . I yet differ from many in several Doctrines of greater moment then Baptism , &c. ( As my Aphorisms of Justification shew , which I wrote to cut the unobserved Sinews of Antinomianism , and open the true Scripture Mean in that point , and which I am more confirmed in the truth of now , then ever , by the weakness of all that I can yet hear against it ; ) and yet if I should zealously press my judgment on others , and seek to make a partie for it , and disturb the Peace of the Church , and separate from my Brethren , I should fear lest I should prove a fire-brand in Hell , for being a fire-brand in the Church . And for all the interest I have in your Judgments and Affections , I here charge you , That if God should give me up to any factious Church-rending course ( against which I daily pray ) that you forsake me , and follow me not a step .

And for Peace with one another , follow it with all your might : If it be possible , as much as in you lieth , live peaceably with all men , Rom. 12.18 . ( mark this ) When you feel any sparks of discontent in your brest , take them as kindled by the Divel from Hell , and take heed you cherish them not . If the flames begin to break forth in Censoriousness , Reproaches , and hard Speeches of others ; be as speedy and busie in quenching it , as if it were fire in the Thatch of your houses : For why should your houses be dearer to you then the Church , which is the house of God ? or , then your souls , which are the Temples of the Holy Ghost ? If any heart-burnings arise , do not keep strange , but go together , and lovingly debate it , or pray together , that God would reconcile you ; or refer the matter to your Minister or others ; and let not the Sun go down on your wrath . Hath God spoke more against any sin , then unpeaceableness ? If ye forgive not men their trespasses , neither will your heavenly Father forgive you ( which made Endovicus Crocius say , That this is the measure and essential propertie of the lest degree of true Faith , Syntag. lib. 4. cap. 16. ) If you love not each other , you are no Disciples of Christ ; nay , if you love not your enemies , and bless not them that curse you , and pray not for them that hurt and persecute you , you are no Children of God . The Wisdom from above , is first pure , then peaceable , gentle , easie to be intreated , &c. Jam. 3.17 . O remember that piercing example of Christ , who washed his Disciples feet , to teach us , that we must stoop as low to one another . Sure God doth not jest with you in all these plain Scriptures ? I charge you in the Name of Christ , if you cannot have peace otherwise , That you suffer wrongs and reproaches , that you go and beg peace of those that should beg it of you , yea , that you beg it on your knees of the poorest beggar , rather then lose it . And remember Rom. 16.17 , 18.

7. Above all , be sure you get down the pride of your hearts . Forget not all the Sermons I preached to you against this sin . No sin more natural , more common , or more deadly . A proud man is his own Idol ; onely from pride cometh contention . There is no L●ving in peace with a proud person : Every disrespect will cast them into a Feaver of discontent . If once you grow wise in your own eyes , and love to be valued and preferred , and love those best that think highliest of you , and have secret heart-risings against any that disregard you , or have a low esteem of you , and cannot endure to be slighted , or spoke evil of ▪ never take your selves for Christians , if this be your case . To be a true Christian without Humilitie , is as hard as to be a man without a Soul . O poor England ! How low art thou brought by the Pride of Ignorant Zealots ! Dear Friends ! I can foretel you , without the gift of prophecy , That if any among you do fall from the Truth , mark which are the proudest , that cannot endure to be contradicted ▪ and that vilifie others , and those will likely be they : And if ever you be broke in pieces , and ruined , Pride will be the cause .

8. Be sure you keep the mastery over your flesh and senses . Few ever fall from God , but flesh-pleasing is the cause : Many think that by [ flesh ] the Scripture means onely our in-dwelling sin , when alas , it is this sensitive appetite that it chargeth us to subdue . Nothing in the world damneth so many as flesh-pleasing , while men generally chuse it as their Happiness in stead of God . O remember who hath said , If ye live after the flesh ye shall die ; and Make no provision for the flesh ▪ to satisfie its desires , Rom 8.5 6 , 7. and 13.14 . Think of this when you are tempted to drunkenness , and gluttony , and lustfulness , and worldliness ; and when you would fain have your dwellings , and states more delightful . You little think what a sin it is , even to please your flesh , further then it tends to help you in the service of God .

9. Make conscience of the great duty of reproving , and exhorting those about you : Make not your souls guilty of the oaths , ignorance , and ungodliness of others , by your silence . Admonish them lovingly and modestly , but be sure you do it , and that seriously . This is the first step in Discipline . Expect not that your Minister should put any from the Sacrament , whom you have not thus admonished once and again . Punish not before due process .

10. Lastly , Be sure to maintain a constant delight in God , and a seriousness and spirituality in all his Worship . Think it not enough to delight in Duties , if you delight not in God : Judg not of your duties by the bulk and number , but by this sweetness . You are never stable Christians till you reach this . Never forget all those Sermons I preached to you on Psal 37.4 . Give not way to a customary dulness in duty : Do every duty with all thy might ; especially , be not slight in secret Prayer and Meditation : Lay not out the chief of your zeal upon externals , and opinions , and the smaller things of Religion . Let must of your daily work be upon your hearts : Be still suspicious of them ; understand their mortal wickedness , and deceitfulness , and trust them not too far . Practise that great duty of daily watching ; pray earnestly , That you be not lead into temptation . Fear the beginings and appearances of sin . Beware lest Conscience once lose its tenderness . Make up every breach between God and your consciences betime . Learn how to live the life of Faith ; and keep fresh the sense of the love of Christ , and of your continual need of his Blood , Spirit , and Intercession : And how much you are beholden and engaged to him . Live in a constant readiness and expectation of death ; and be sure to get acquainted with this Heavenly Conversation , which this Book is written to direct you in ; which I commend to your use , hoping you will be at the pains to read it , as for your sakes I have been to write it : And I shall beg for you of the Lord , while I live on this Earth , That he will perswade your souls to this blessed Work , and that when death comes it may finde you so imployed , that I may see your faces with joy at the Bar of Christ , and we may enter together into the Everlasting Rest. Amen .