by Richard Baxter
in mobi, ePub & .pdf formats
Richard Baxter's The Saints' Everlasting Rest (1650) has long been recognized as one of the great classics of Christian devotion, and it is by this book that he is best known. The original work consists of some eight hundred thousand words-a clear example of Baxter's prolific pen-yet in Baxter's own life-time it reached twelve editions! During from a serious illness, Baxter set his pen to write about heaven: What is it like? Who will be there? How can we prepare for it? He believed that heaven was a state of perfect freedom from evil where Christians can enjoy pure union with God. Baxter encourages us live a heavenly life on earth by dweeling on thoughts of heaven and so can better prepare ourselves for it. Although our ability to comprehend heaven has been sullied by the fall. but despite his imperfect knowledge, Baxter's meditations can help guide the saints as they ruminate about the glory to come. As a classic devotional, Saints' Everlasting Rest enables readers to catch a glimpse of what heaven will be like.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FIRST PART
I.There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God
II. This rest defined
III. What this rest presupposeth
IV.What this rest containeth
V. The four great preparatives to our rest
VI.This rest most excellent, discovered by reason
VII. The excellencies of our rest
VIII. The people of God described
The conclusion
THE SECOND PART: THE PROOFS OF THE TRUTH AND CERTAIN FUTURITY OF OUR REST; AND THAT THE SCRIPTURE PROMISING THAT REST TO US, IS THE PERFECT INFALLIBLE WORD AND LAW OF GOD
I.
II. Motives to study and preach the divine authority of Scripture
III.
IV.The first argument to prove Scripture to be the World of God
V. The second argument
VI.The third argument
VII.The fourth argument
VIII.Rest for none but the people of God, proved
IX.Reasons why this rest remains, and is not here enjoyed
X.Whether the souls departed enjoy this rest before the resurrection
THE THIRD PART: SEVERAL USES OF THE FORMER DOCTRINE OF REST
I.Use 1.—Showing the unconceivable misery of the ungodly in their loss of this rest
II. The aggravation of the loss of heaven to the ungodly
III. They shall lose all things that are comfortable, as well as heaven
IV. The greatness of the torments of the damned discovered
V. Use 2.—Reprehending the general neglect of this rest, and exciting to diligence in seeking it
VI. An exhortation to seriousness in seeking rest
VII. Use 3.—Persuading all men to try their title to this rest; and directing them how to try, that they may know
VIII. Further causes of doubting among Christians
IX. Containing an exhortation, and motives to examine
X. Containing directions for examination, and some marks for trial
XI. A more exact inquiry into the number and use of marks; the nature of sincerity; with other things of great moment in the work of self-examination
XII. Use 4.—The reason of the saints' afflictions here
XIII. Use 5.—An exhortation to those that have got assurance of this rest, or title to it, that they would do all that they possibly can to help others to it also
XIV. An advice to some more specially to help others to this rest, pressed largely on ministers and parents
THE FOURTH PART: A DIRECTORY FOR THE GETTING AND KEEPING OF THE HEART IN HEAVEN
To the inhabitants of the town of Shrewsbury
The Introduction
I. Use 6.—Reproving our expectations of rest on earth
II. Use 7.—Reproving our unwillingness to die
III. Motives to a heavenly life
IV. Containing some hinderances of a heavenly life
V. Some general helps to a heavenly life
VI. Containing the description of the great duty of heavenly contemplation
VII. Containing the fittest time and place for this contemplation, and the preparation of the heart unto it
VIII. Of consideration, the instrument of this work; and what force it hath to move the soul
IX. What affections must be acted, and by what considerations and objects, and in what order
X. By what actings of the soul to proceed in this work of heavenly contemplation
XI. Some advantages and helps for raising and affecting the soul by this meditation
XII. How to manage and watch over the heart through the whole work
XIII. The abstract, or sum of all, for the use of the weak
THE CONCLUSION
Broughton in the conclusion of his 'Consent of Scripture,' concerning the New Jerusalem, and the everlasting Sabbatism, meant in my text, as begun here, and perfected in heaven
A Poem of Master G. Herbert, in his 'Temple'
An Addition to the Eleventh Chapter of the Third Part of the Saint's Rest
To the Reader